Understanding, putting OPSEC into practice Published June 7, 2013 By Master Sgt. Juan Salvador F. Rios III 60th Air Mobility Wing Plans TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Many years ago, when I was an airman first class stationed at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., I was a victim of credit card fraud. Thousands of dollars were fraudulently charged on my credit card and took several months before everything was rectified. It was a terrifying experience for a young Airman. Learning from this difficult event, I developed measures and practices to protect myself from crooks, unknowingly opening the door to the Operations Security world. I started shredding my bank and credit card statements, storing important documents in a safe and registering for credit monitor alerts. Lesson learned the hard way. Now that I am your installation OPSEC program manager, one of my responsibilities is to educate everyone about OPSEC and help you avoid learning this same lesson the hard way. So what exactly is OPSEC? It is denying our adversaries information concerning our intentions and capabilities by identifying, controlling and protecting indicators associated with our planning processes or operations. One of the best ways to accomplish this is to think like an adversary and look at their viewpoint, "thinking like the wolf." According to Lori Feeley of the Department of Homeland Security, "Most of us practice OPSEC every day without even realizing we are doing so. When we take precautions against someone breaking into our home, stealing a purse or wallet, fraudulently using our credit card or other personal information, stealing packages from vehicles or doorsteps and more, we practice OPSEC." Always keep in mind our adversaries are opportunistic and determined individuals. They capitalize on our carelessness and are masters of collecting information. Our job as DOD members is to deny them from acquiring any information they need to carry out their objectives. Information such as our current and future operations, travel itineraries, recall and key personnel rosters, exercise schedules, usernames and passwords, details about access or ID cards, operations planning information, privacy act information, security procedures, capabilities and limitations, intelligence indicators and information, building information, building plans and functions, VIP and distinguished visitors schedules and aircraft operational readiness status. This information is potential critical information that should be protected because when acquired by the adversary, it could cause severe harm to our personnel and mission. George Washington once said, "Even minutiae should have a place in our collection, for things of a seemingly trifling nature, when enjoined with others of a more serious cast, may lead to valuable conclusion." Our activities, conversations, and communications are subject to monitoring by our foes 24/7. Apply the same approach on how we protect ourselves and families from the criminal underworld into day to day operations. Then we are one or two steps ahead of our adversaries. Embrace OPSEC as it is everyone's responsibility to protect the mission and those that we serve. Then we will remain the most feared and respected Air Force in the history of the world. For more OPSEC guidance or questions, call 424-0062 or contact your group or unit OPSEC coordinator.