Posted on 05/01/2011 8:30:54 AM PDT by jagusafr
Just got a flash on the 'puter that NorthCom has upped the threat condition to FPCON Bravo. Not sure what triggered it, but it's the first elevation in some time. Watch the news and maintain your SA, folks.
Colonel, USAFR
I talked to Jim. It’s been restored. This information is not protected or classified, in fact there’s a sign facing the street on every military installation that tells you what the FPCON level is. I understand how some folks might get worked up over it, but that’s my area of expertise. As I told him, I’d rather have people too concerned about security than not concerned enough.
Colonel, USAFR
As I told JimRob, this information is posted, facing the public, at the entrance to every military installation. It is NOT classified at any level. At that’s my area of expertise, I greatly appreciate your concern; however, disseminating it in no way violates any security protocol.
Colonel, USAFR
My wife started working in the Pentagon last week. She insisted on using public transportation.. After the alert this morning, she’s rethinking that.
redleg, see my response to txradioguy: this information is public, posted at the entrance to every military installation for all to see. Sorry you’ve been given such a low opinion of JAGs.
Colonel, USAFR
This is a grand morning! Now what was unknown is know, along with the reason. Betsy is waving this AM. Thank You!
You two need to turn off Art Bell and put your panties back on.
FPCON levels are not classified:
I’m going to go out on a limb and say that jagusafr probably has a firm grasp as to what information is reasonable to share on FR.
Hooah. A good day, indeed.
Colonel, USAFR
Wished I would have seen your comment yesterday so I could have talked you off the ledge.
I deal with OPSEC (been to the 2500 course) and this doesn't fall into that realm. As another FReeper has posted, the FPCONs are posted outside the gate to every base for any passer buy to see...even the AQ cells that we know are monitoring us.
Matter of fact...many PAO's released PRESS RELEASES to the local media about the increase.
So that you are clear...OPSEC deals with unclassified information...NOT classified. It is information that you want to protect...called CRITICAL information and it appears on a list that is approved by the commander. Your Critical Information List, or CIL, is NOT classified, and reminds you of all the common things you do everyday that, if the enemy had this intel, he could put those pieces together and come up with a plan to harm you.
Now...any press release of this FPCON release from these bases first went through the OPSEC working group (and that is how we work)...so...since it is OUT THERE...that tells you it is OK to be here.
How this calms you down a bit.
Could the news of the day (OBL) be a contributing factor?
I appreciate your notifying FR of this. For some of us, this is the only way we’d get such important info in a timely manner.
And now we know the rest of the story! Great post.
not given, developed over 20 years of personal experience in the operational force with 6 years of joint time.
1.Your post, when added to #4 and #14, violates the classification guidance.
2. While installations may in fact post FPCON levels, they do not add the specific measures IAW the above.
3.USNORTHCOM issues guidance in its AOR for DOD personnel and their families, not the general public. I bet the CDRUSNORTHCOM, if he feels required, can talk to DHS via DoD about what the general public needs to know. Did you know why the FPCON was raised when you posted? What if there was threat and your message caused the T’s to go to ground and avoid kill /capture? Whether your message on your ‘puter was via SIPR, NIPR, or personal, adding your rank and job to a message to the general public indicates poor judgment. #99, unsubstantiated speculation to the general public, is also not the best course of action. Recommend you develop a civilian tagline if you wish to have these discussions in the open.
4. Admin Mods – despite how cool or sexy military info is, I urge caution and due speed when posting “real world” data. Loose Lips due in fact sink ships…
Hey chief, this information is available via GOOGLE!
http://news.google.com/news/search?aq=f&pz=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=FPCON
1. I say again: linking FPCONs with specific measures is classified confidential. News articles with generic descriptions of “slow gates” or “chem gear” and the FPCON listed is not “specific” so therefore not classified. Contrast this with post #4.
2. Intell is a puzzle assembly problem. Guard all info lest it be either the missing piece or the beginning of the thread. Bet UBL wishes his courier’s name never got out...
3. Regardless of whether the AP, Bradley Manning, or someone with a “cool guy” piece of info from the ‘puter tells the whole world, military members are not relieved of responsibility for safe guarding info. Just because “everyone knows” does empower a military member to gush on about it. Note the restrictions on cleared folks for reading the wikileaks material as a recent example.
4. If you are still confused, please schedule a visit with your security manger and review the classes required for a clearance.
5. FR is not military, but should respect and uphold both need to know and security classifications on blog posts. When in doubt, wipe it out.
Noted, and again, I appreciate your concern and passion about this topic.
Colonel, USAFR
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