ADMIN UPDATE: Members MUST Read ASAP: Updated RULES.

[Navy for Moms Admin]

Hello N4M Members!
I don’t often start threads and put them on the top of the page like this but it’s important and I need everyone to read it. We’ll be enforcing some new rules starting today per direction of the Navy. No need to get upset or panic… okay? I like to call this the growing pains of getting bigger and needing to become a bit stricter about a few things.

1. So, Navy saw it as a breach of security on N4M’s when members were telling other members how to bend and break the rules (IE get into PIR w/o a parking pass). Thus, any tricks like that can’t be talked about. We don’t want to jeopardize the safety of our recruits. This also includes, “I have more than 4 people that want to attend PIR”. If we see that question- the response should be something like:
“Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, IL is the homeport for all Navy recruit training. If you have specific questions regarding Boot Camp, Pass-in-Review (graduation) or a recruit, please visit http://www1.netc.navy.mil/nstc/rtcgl/family/index.html. If you cannot find the answer there, please phone RTC Public Affairs on 847-688-2405 or email on [e-mail].”

2. Sailor last names are not allowed to be posted. We know in this day and age, that often your children have different last names than you. So, it’s up to you on if you want your last name on here or not, but the Navy is telling us- Do not post sailors last name. You can say my son’s name is John. Just not John Smith.
For people that want to now change their user name... you can find out how to do it here.

3. Remove physical addresses of sailors. (Exception to the rule is FPO address).
It’s not necessarily that our sailors don’t want to be contacted by our sweet Navy Members…it’s more that we have to be sensitive to their privacy. Even if you wanted to post your sailor’s address or your sailor’s friends address, please don’t.

4. Please do not post any names/numbers of the RTC Staff.

So, obviously- easy quick changes on your end. Please go through your profiles, posts, photos, groups, events and videos to make sure the above is deleted and/or edited out. Obviously, I’ll be going through and deleting things as well but it’s helpful if you look over your own stuff.

Thank you for reading this and editing/deleting any of your comments in advance.

Elle

[Navy for Moms Admin]

Do they have your sailors last name in it? Then yes.
It all depends what you are comfortable with. This will vary from person to person. Also, you still have privacy options for photos.
Photo Q & A

[Bobbi]

Okay - I think I got everything. Shall I delete the picture of my son's sub?

[Navy for Moms Admin]

I'll repeat it again. It depends on what you are comfortable with. This will vary from person to person.

You say- My Son is on XYZ Sub (directly or indirectly). It's like saying- Catherine works on NAVYForMoms.com. This is public information.

I don't mind seeing you wanting to connect with other XYZ sub moms, I just don't want to know where XYZ sub is and is headed. Make sense?

[Bobbi]

Yep. Thanks.

[Dianne]

Thanks Catherine, I think these are all good rules that everyone can and will live with.
***~~LOVE N4M's~~***
Its the best website ever!!! Please everyone follow the rules so we don't loose this awesome site!
Take care.

[Navy for Moms Admin]

Everyone: I just talked to my boss- I asked her if there was anything about shutting N4M's down. The response, "That's absurd".

Please. There is no talk of shutting us down. Stop spreading the panic okay?

[diane {Shawns mom}]

I promise to obey..the rules....
Thanks Catherine..for doing such an outrageous job and keeping all us Moms in line.....
LOVE THE PIC>>>>Yeap that us...brag brag brag....I am checklisting my page....
xooxoxox

[Carla Street]

What I direct the moms to do is to take the lead from their sailor and to always make sure that you tell them that you belong to a site. Also, to choose an alias for themselves and/or their sailor is there is any concern at all. Ask them what they feel they say you are not to tell. If at any time you feel they are trying to not tell you something, take their lead and don't say anything to anyone.

When they are deployed, if you want to tell about say where they have been, take the lead from the navy.mil site, if it's posted there, then generally it's okay.

What is OPSEC? OPSEC is keeping potential adversaries from discovering critical Department Of Defense information. As the name suggests, it protects US operations - planned, in progress and those completed. Success depends on secrecy and surprise, so the military can accomplish the mission more quickly and with less risk. Enemies of freedom want this information, and they are not just after the military member to get it. They want you, the family member.

Unofficial Websites The posting of pictures and information that is pertinent to your loved ones military unit to personal or family websites has the potential to jeopardize their safety and that of the entire unit. Coordinate with your unit's Family Readiness Officer and have pictures screened and posted to the "Official" Key Volunteer website. This will ensure that you contribute to OPSEC and keep the force safe.

The Ten OPSEC and COMSEC Points:

Don't discuss future destinations or ports of call!
Don't discuss future operations or missions!
Don't discuss dates and times of when we will be in port or conducting exercises!
Don't discuss readiness issues and numbers!
Don't discuss specific training equipment!
Don't discuss people's names and billets in conjunction with operations!
Don't speculate about future operations!
Don't spread rumors about operations!
Don't assume the enemy is not trying to collect information on you so he can kill you, he is!
Be smart, use your head, and always think OPSEC and COMSEC when using email or phone!

Operational Security Guidance for Family Members
As a family member of the military community, you are a vital player in our success and we could not do our job without your support. You may not know it, but you also play a crucial role in ensuring your loved ones' safety just by what you know of the military's day-to-day operations. You can protect your loved ones by protecting the information that you know. This is known in the military as, "Operations Security", or OPSEC.

[Barbara 'Cookie" A]

Thank you for all the information you have given moms about safety for our sons and daughters.

[Carla Street]

What Information Is Sensitive?
Examples of Critical Information The following examples may help you in
defining parameters for your communications. It is important to remember
that there are many more examples than those listed below:

1. Detailed information about the mission of assigned units.
2. Details concerning locations and times of unit deployments.
3. Personnel transactions that occur in large numbers (e.g., pay
information, power of attorney, wills or deployment information).
4. References to trend in unit morale or personnel problems.
5. Details concerning security procedures.

Puzzle Pieces These bits of information may seem insignificant. However,
to a trained adversary, they are small pieces of a puzzle that highlight
what US forces are doing and planning. Remember, the elements of security
and surprise are vital to the accomplishment of US goals and collective DOD
personnel protection.

Where and how you discuss this information is just as important as with
whom you discuss it. An adversary's agents tasked with collecting information
frequently visit some of the same stores, clubs, recreational areas or places
of worship as you do.

Determined individuals can easily collect data from cordless and cellular
phones and even baby monitors using inexpensive receivers available from
local electronics stores.

If anyone, especially a foreign national, persistently seeks information,
notify your military sponsor immediately.

What Can You Do?
There are many countries and organizations that would like to harm Americans and
degrade US influence in the world. It is possible and not unprecedented for spouses and
family members of US military personnel to be targeted for intelligence collection.
This is true in the United States, and especially true overseas! What can you do?

1. Be Alert Foreign Governments and organizations can collect significant amounts of
useful information by using spies. A foreign agent may use a variety of approaches to
befriend someone and get sensitive information. This sensitive information can be critical
to the success of a terrorist or spy, and consequently deadly to Americans.

2. Be Careful There may be times when your spouse cannot talk about the specifics of
his or her job. It is very important to conceal and protect certain information such as
flight schedules, ship movements, temporary duty locations and installation activities,
just to name a few. Something as simple as a phone discussion concerning where your spouse
is going on temporary duty or deploying to can be very useful to US adversaries.

3. Protecting Critical Information Even though this information may not be secret,
it is what the Department of Defense calls "critical information." Critical information
deals with specific facts about military intentions, capabilities, operations or activities.
If an adversary knew this detailed information, US mission accomplishment and personnel safety
could be jeopardized. It must be protected to ensure an adversary doesn't gain a significant
advantage. By being a member of the military family, you will often know some bits of critical
information. Do not discuss them outside of your immediate family and especially not over the telephone.
The bottom line is to use common sense and keep your loved ones safe on the front lines!
You play a vital role in the success of our mission. And it is our goal to bring each and everyone
home, so please help in making it possible.

[Margaret...military mom]

Great information.
A golden rule to live by;
"loose lips sinks ships"

[Donna]

Thanks Catherine, I do want to take this time to say Thank You for starting this site. It's the best.