I'm asking for help re: Loose Lips Sink Ships,

gdcleanfun · #1 11-28-2009, 08:06 PM

I'm having trouble trying to convince some online buddies that they should not be posting the APOs and FPOs and deployment dates and arenas and the names of their loved ones so that others can write to them once they are deployed. I know we had regulations that governed us when we were active duty, specifically those dictated by the ASA for those of us in the Army. Does the ASA still govern? Can you direct me to any published cites? Does Homeland Security have any policies published for citizens that I can cite? Please help soon so I can stop them from being stupid, at the least, and keep all from harm if possible. Thanks ever so much!

gdcleanfun · #2 11-29-2009, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glock Fan

Considering the fact that you have folks posting pictures of themselves taken in theater and STILL IN theater

, I don't think it's that big of a deal anymore. That's not to say that being cautious wouldn't be a good idea.

gf

Your response makes me sad, and it's obvious that you've not been in the military, or in any security position of a branch of government. It's not a big deal? Guess again. Imho, you might think a heck of a lot differently if someone were to compromise the security of your son if he ever enlists. Yes, it is a big deal. That's why orders are handed personally to each individual in a unit or company, not posted on a bulletin board. Security is not ever something to compromise. Taking a picture of yourself in theater, then posting it online, is not stating your name, position, job, etc. Thought still a stupid thing do to, there is a huge difference between compromising your whole company and posting a pic of your mug in an undisclosed location, which is also a stupid thing to do imho!

Glock Fan · #3 11-29-2009, 03:40 AM

Things are a lot different today then they were when you served. An APO of FPO does not provide an exact location of military personnel. Having friends coming back from deployment and others still overseas, we use websites like FB to keep in touch. Two things are vital to the morale of service members while deployed. 1) food 2) mail/correspondence from family and friends back home. If you were ever deployed, you would understand this. Having been deployed overseas AND in command of a large number of troops, I understand this.

I don't want to start a flame war, I simply don't agree with your position that it's "stupid" for folks to post their contact information on a social networking site. Social networking sites like FB can be restricted so access to the "sensitive information" is limited to authorized persons. Sites can be "hacked" or otherwise compromised, but rarely are. If it were as big of a deal as you seem to think it is, I'm sure that many of the service men and women posting info to their sites would have gotten disciplined by now.

gf

gdcleanfun · #4 11-29-2009, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glock Fan

Things are a lot different today then they were when you served. An APO of FPO does not provide an exact location of military personnel. Having friends coming back from deployment and others still overseas, we use websites like FB to keep in touch. Two things are vital to the morale of service members while deployed. 1) food 2) mail/correspondence from family and friends back home. If you were ever deployed, you would understand this. Having been deployed overseas AND in command of a large number of troops, I understand this.

I don't want to start a flame war, I simply don't agree with your position that it's "stupid" for folks to post their contact information on a social networking site. Social networking sites like FB can be restricted so access to the "sensitive information" is limited to authorized persons. Sites can be "hacked" or otherwise compromised, but rarely are. If it were as big of a deal as you seem to think it is, I'm sure that many of the service men and women posting info to their sites would have gotten disciplined by now

gf

Nah, no flame war, you and I went there once, but you're my bud, and you're too much fun to debate with to argue with.

I have been deployed. My apologies that I thought you weren't. Times have changed, yes, but to the detriment of the security of our troops, everywhere. Okay, maybe the APOs and FPOs being posted shouldn't rile me too badly, but if you consider the rest of my post, the sensitive information about troop whereabouts, and personal identifiers like names and company info being posted online, well, that scares the heck out of me. Restricted posts on places like Facebook or My Space are not restricted at all. Are you familiar with the terms sniffing or hacking? Google is your bud. Even Homeland Security says the same thing. Want the cite? Why don't we just broadcast it to the world on bulls-eye posters on our uniforms who we are, where we are, what we're doing? Why don't we let the world know in advance, give every other country a head's-up? Because that's what we are doing if we are posting these things. I was ASA, I believe that I'm much more in tune with security measures than the general enlisted and civilian populations. It is a big deal! Do you remember the slogan, "Loose lips sink ships?" It still applies. If those posting their positions to open websites have not been disciplined by now, they should be! And you know this how, that they've not been disciplined yet? Or, was that just a generalized, unsubstantiated statement on your part? Care to cite your sources? No flame war intended/needed. I just disagree. To reiterate: it is a big deal!

Glock Fan · #5 11-29-2009, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gdcleanfun

Nah, no flame war, you and I went there once, but you're my bud, and you're too much fun to debate with to argue with.

I have been deployed. My apologies that I thought you weren't. Times have changed, yes, but to the detriment of the security of our troops, everywhere. Okay, maybe the APOs and FPOs being posted shouldn't rile me too badly, but if you consider the rest of my post, the sensitive information about troop whereabouts, and personal identifiers like names and company info being posted online, well, that scares the heck out of me. Restricted posts on places like Facebook or My Space are not restricted at all. Are you familiar with the terms sniffing or hacking? Google is your bud. Even Homeland Security says the same thing. Want the cite? Why don't we just broadcast it to the world on bulls-eye posters on our uniforms who we are, where we are, what we're doing? Why don't we let the world know in advance, give every other country a head's-up? Because that's what we are doing if we are posting these things. I was ASA, I believe that I'm much more in tune with security measures than the general enlisted and civilian populations. It is a big deal! Do you remember the slogan, "Loose lips sink ships?" It still applies. If those posting their positions to open websites have not been disciplined by now, they should be! And you know this how, that they've not been disciplined yet? Or, was that just a generalized, unsubstantiated statement on your part? Care to cite your sources? No flame war intended/needed. I just disagree. To reiterate: it is a big deal!

I have sevreral buddies who are either still depolyed or recently back from deployment. They have their info posted on their FB accounts, photos of their every day work, and in a few cases even video. To date, none of them have been punished or even told to take anything down from their sites. One guy had his site checked out by his chain of command, then eventually NCIS. They found that he did nothing wrong.

With the availability of internet access to the troops, I'm sure that there's some way of restricting what they post if it were that critical to mission security. I know some stuff is monitored, but for the most part service members are free to post things as long as it doesn't violate any laws and is in good taste.

gf

gdcleanfun · #6 11-29-2009, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glock Fan

I have sevreral buddies who are either still depolyed or recently back from deployment. They have their info posted on their FB accounts, photos of their every day work, and in a few cases even video. To date, none of them have been punished or even told to take anything down from their sites. One guy had his site checked out by his chain of command, then eventually NCIS. They found that he did nothing wrong.

With the availability of internet access to the troops, I'm sure that there's some way of restricting what they post if it were that critical to mission security. I know some stuff is monitored, but for the most part service members are free to post things as long as it doesn't violate any laws and is in good taste.

gf

What you've stated is so very general that it is of no use to me.

Thanks anyway.

You've still not answered my initial question. Maybe someone else can.

ronwill · #7 11-29-2009, 05:13 PM

Having been in a couple of wars I believe one reason a war can be lost is because the enemy knows sensitive information about troop whereabouts, strengths and combat actions. Posting APO/ FPO addresses causes no real concern, however, posting where a deployment is located and what they intend to do is something that shouldn't be done. The more bits and pieces of information the enemy can collect, the better they can defend against our actions and kill our troops. Of course this is only my opinion and can be debated. GD maybe the following will help:

http://www.fas.org/sgp/othergov/dhs-sbu.html

gdcleanfun · #8 11-30-2009, 03:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronwill

Having been in a couple of wars I believe one reason a war can be lost is because the enemy knows sensitive information about troop whereabouts, strengths and combat actions. Posting APO/ FPO addresses causes no real concern, however, posting where a deployment is located and what they intend to do is something that shouldn't be done. The more bits and pieces of information the enemy can collect, the better they can defend against our actions and kill our troops. Of course this is only my opinion and can be debated. GD maybe the following will help:

Safeguarding Sensitive But Unclassified (For Official Use Only) Information

Thank you, Ronwill. I'm glad someone understands what I'm trying to say! I'll check out the web site you've provided, thanks.

Ropadope · #9 12-01-2009, 11:37 AM

There should be an OPSEC and PERSEC warning on all military boards. If someone is posting their APO's and their deployment destinations online for the open board to see then the moderators should erase those posts and threads, with a stern warning for those involved in such stupity.