SHIP 04, DIV 807 & 808

[MamaMia]

Any PIR's on Ship 04, Div 807 or 808?  Sign your comments here!  :-)

 

[ochaos]

Spec Op Security Guidleines

 

"THIS IS LENGTHY BUT I HAVE COMBINED ALL OF THE PRIOR DISCUSSIONS INTO ONE.... THERE A LOT OF GOOD INFO ON THIS SUBJECT"...

First, we should guard other's information at least as closely as we guard our own. Do not post anyone else's information on the internet. This could
put another person at risk and none of us would want that.

Second, use care in the "wider world" when discussing the fact that your sailor is deployed. Be careful posting that information on sites like facebook
and myspace. You may feel secure with your "friends" but your postings
are not secure. Many people that you do not personally know can view
them. Use exceptional care on sites that could be used to "find"
victims such as any on-line chat or forum that is focussed on military
wives or families. While general chatting can be very helpful in
"venting" or finding out useful information, if your "profile" contains
your name and location, if you are chatting about your sailor being
deployed, where you work, where your children go to school etc you are
not practicing personal "OpSec". ANYONE can view these sites - they are
NOT SECURE.

Third, cell phones are NOT secure. They are easily breached. This is a link to a news segment - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCyKcoDaofg . I watched the link and then googled "cell phone spying" - I was taken aback by not only how easy it was to locate a cell-phone at any given time armed with only the number but by how easy it is to view another's texts and listen in not only to their conversation while on the phone but at any time the phone is on, even when not in use.

Finally, please practice "Operational Security" in all things Navy, not just regarding ship's movement.

Why do we always hear about OpSec?"

Operational Security is incredibly important. It is why we are not supposed to give dates out over the phone or in e-mails. It is why we encourage everyone to call the Careline for information. We, as Navy spouses, parents, siblings,children, and other family members need to carefully husband any secure information we receive and understand that having this information is a privilege, not a right.

Most of us don't think that telling a family member secure information is against the rules. Most of us don't think that forwarding the
information of advance notice on port call dates and locations could be a hazard to our sailors. Most of us don't realize that multiple OpSec infractions incurred by sailors and/or their families could cost all of us the privilege of consistent e-mails and telephone calls. Well, it can.

The rules are clear - we DO NOT discuss ships movement, dates, locations, or activities unless and until our Captain has told us it is okay. We don't tell Great Aunt Sally because she doesn't know the rules. We don't say it to each other over the phone, we don't tell people in e-mails, we don't blog dates, times, or places, and we take great care with the information we are privileged to have.

When our neighbor asks "Where is your sailor now?" we say thing like "on the Great Blue Sea", or "Out there doing his thing", or the standard "I have absolutely no idea, but wherever he/she is he/she is working hard".

When Great Aunt Sally's nurse says "When are they getting home" we say "Later" or "Sometime before Labor Day" or "Well, it could all change in a minute so we don't really bank on anything".

And, when your hairdresser says "when are they leaving?" we say things like "Shortly" or "I don't like to talk about it, it makes me cry" or "I was talking to mermaids the other day and they said they were ready anytime now."

It isn't silly. It isn't nonsense. It is VITAL to ship's security. It is VITAL for the SAFETY of our sailors. Even though your hairdresser, grocer, Great Aunt Sally, parents, best friend or whomever might be perfectly safe and want to know only out of love, we do not know and cannot guarantee that they won't choose to share the information with someone who shouldn't know or who may then share it inappropriately.

We just don't know. So, we don't take the risk. We keeps the ship's information close to our hearts and with closed mouths. We refer family to the Careline. We encourage them to join the Ombudsman Group, the FRG, and talk to their sailor.

Loose Lips Can Still Sink Ships

The development of the World Wide Web has been a communication boon to military families who are now able to use its technology as a means to stay closer to their deployed service member. What many don't recognize is, without careful use, internet activities can also put their service member and others at risk.

The motto "Loose Lips May Sink Ships," was originally devised by the Navy during WWII to drive home the importance of operational security (OPSEC). In its most basic form, OPSEC is concerned with keeping information out of the hands of those who would use it to do harm. The famous WWII motto is just as important in achieving OPSEC today as it was back then, although the internet presents brand new challenges to security that never would have been
considered during its original inception.

The abundance of family home pages, message boards, mailing lists and chat rooms make it
easy and fun to share information, resources and friendship with others in the military community. Cyber-support is never further than a few mouse clicks away, and can be a lifesaver for families of reservists or active duty filling assignments that take them outside the military support system.

The downfall of this seemingly innocent communication is, "information posted may be intended only for an internal audience - perhaps even a very small and very specific group of people. But on the Net, it's available to the world," according to Paul Stone, American Forces Information Service.

When you make information available on the web, you can never truly be sure who has access to it - or of their intentions. The friendly spouse (or Mom) you're chatting with online may be exactly who she claims to be. Then again, she may not. Resist the temptation to disclose unnecessary information about your spouse (or Son/Daughter) and his or her job. Don't allow pride in your loved one to become a means for endangering them.

When participating in online communities or building a personal web site, use caution in revealing information about yourself and your family.
Avoid disclosure of your last name and location, discussion of specific unit information, movements, or dates, deployment information or base security measures. And don't forget about pictures - while photographs are fun to share, always bear in mind a picture is worth a thousand words. Make sure those words are ones you mean to communicate!

If you correspond with your spouse through email or instant messages, keep in mind such connections are not secure and avoid discussion of sensitive information. The same is true of online chat rooms.

Air Force Lt. Col. Buzz Walsh remarked, "The biggest mistake people make
[on the internet] is they don't understand how easy it is to aggregate
information."

Like a jigsaw puzzle whose pieces don't mean much individually, information can be put together to determine a more complete picture. Seemingly
insignificant details can become very
important when they're the final pieces of the puzzle.

Compromise of military operations is not the only feared result of OPSEC violations. The Department of Defense is also concerned for the safety of families who may unwittingly become targets of hostility because of their connection to the military.

Military spouses (and other loved ones) should be smart, not scared, when it comes to online communications. Precautionary measures are meant to ensure safety, not cause
unnecessary anxiety.

If you have questions about OPSEC and appropriate communications, contact your command family support liaison for more information.

[MamaMia]

Ladies of the 807 and 808 Divisions who are attending PIR:  Is there a way through our INBOX that we can discuss what our first names are and who are sons are so when we get to PIR we will all be able to get to know who our sons have been friends with?  Or should we just wait until our sons introduce us??  I'm not getting there till later Thurs. night so won't make the meet and greet.  Maybe we could all wear a red, white, or blue ribbon with our N4M names from here.  If you see a MamaSeal you know it's me! :-) 

 

[Claudia]

Ill be looking for you Mamaseal!!!!!  Cant wait for the big day!!

[cocojazz]

Im so excited already, I get butterflies when I think its only three weeks to go. 

 

[cocojazz]

Please let me know if anyone from PIR 4/8 is staying at the Residence Inn Marriott.  Id love to meet you. 

[prdmom (ship 4, Div 807)]

Im staying at the Residence Inn! Yea 3 weeks!!!!Getting in Thursday Evening gonna try to get to the Ramada for the meet and Greet,,Im not sure what tie we'll get there Im not sure how long its gonna take us to get from Milwaukee Airport to Hotel. Looking forward to meeting all of my sons new brothers mothers! LOL

[ochaos]

At PIR you will be seated in the same area but you may be so excited about seeing your recruit that you forget to talk to the people around you, especially if family members are with you.  When it is over you may get introduced but it is crazy with all of the people there and there will be 12 Divisions total that day, so lots of people there. The best way to try to meet is to pm each other with details that would make it easier for you to be picked out of a crowd.  Some groups have chosen a color to wear as a pin, scarf or something.  You will see many people that day but get there early for a good seat, you will find yourself watching the video screens, and the many people that are there.  It is an amazing day!  If you do not get the chance to meet in person, enjoy the bonds you have made on here, you are on a great journey.

[Penny Navy Mom]

I think that is a great idea.  My son has provided me with some last names of SR's but of course nothing regarding parents.  It would be nice to meet some of you at graduation.  It may be a large class, so we need some way to stand out!!!

[ochaos]

The Ramada does a Meet & Greet for every PIR, not everybody attends or is able to attend, some groups meet there and then set a place to go from there.  After PIR it can be hard to arrange a meeting because your priority to is spend time with your recruit.  If you get to meet consider it a blessing and if not you still have this site and may have the chance in the future to meet.

[cocojazz]

Which Ramada? I have to see how far it is from the Residence Inn. 

[Kathiofootball]

Hi all! I am new to this site as so many of you are and I am also anxiously awaiting to see my son at PIR! He is 04 808 an dI di receive 2 letters and a phone call but some time ago so I am at a loss at this moment. I was wondering if anyone knew how long we get to stay and visit with them until they ship out to where ever they are going?? I spoke to a few people and was told that they would be leaving Saturday! Not too much time to visit. I am so glad to have found this site and to read other what the other Moms have to say and to know I am not alone. I was feeling very anxious and am missing my son terribly. I am glad to see that I am not the only one. Good luck to all of them my prayers and blessing go out to them all. Hope to meet and see some of you at PIR!

[Claudia]

Welcome Aboard Kathiofootball!!!!  This site is wonderfull and very informative...When I go on in the evening seems like I stay on for hours...I have learned so much and have really appreciated all the support from all of our Moms. Hope to see you on PIR!!!  Were so Close!!