Don't let social media put your life at risk

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt Barbara Plante
  • 927th Air Refueling Wing
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  In February 2010, Pentagon officials authorized using social networks on unclassified military computers. They believe the benefits of social media outweigh security concerns.  However, operational security has always been a military constant and that has not diminished with the advent of social media. If anything, OPSEC has become more important because of what we can say and where we can say it.

Loose lips and unchecked gossip on social media sites can bring down Facebook pages and have the potential to harm military operations and missions as Sailors and Marines serving aboard the amphibious assault ship Bataan learned in May 2011. Escalating arguments and "the airing of dirty laundry" led Fleet Forces Command to shut down the ship's official Facebook page, citing OPSEC concerns.

"Numerous cases regarding OPSEC violations have arisen on several sites," said a spokesperson for the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group. "This makes it very difficult to support a Social Networking site, while keeping the mission clear and our Sailors safe. Once the command has conducted a thorough review, the page will be brought back online, but the ability for guests to post comments will be removed in the short term."

It is a privilege to be able to use social media sites from military computers but with that privilege comes responsibility.

The idea that terrorists, foreign governments or spies might be looking for secrets from Facebook pages might seem a bit far-fetched, but the enemy is watching.

Ultimately, social media is just another form of communication where OPSEC rules must be followed. These same rules have been around for decades. The only thing that has changed is the technology and the speed of communication.

""Facebook and other social media sites are great tools to keep in touch with friends and family, but we must be mindful and take precautions about what we post," said Capt. Henry Diaz, Chief of Intelligence Operations for the 927 Air Refueling Wing Operations Group.  "Too many times have we seen critical information about our unit inadvertently made public on Facebook. We cannot afford to divulge critical information, unintentional or not, due to the foreign intelligence threat we face today."
 
When people divulge information, it could put more than the mission at risk.

"Giving up such information could consequently lead to mission failure, or worse, loss of lives," Diaz added.  

This story was localized by Staff Sgt. Shawn Rhodes of the 927th Air Refueling Wing.