Keeping Our Daughters Safe

[DC - G'mother of My Fav Sailor]

We have had some interesting discussions about the concerns we have for keeping our daughters safe from our enemies and also from repercussions from something we may say on here. I view it as multi-pronged:

1. Navy Security -- OpSec
2. Daughter's security (use of names, reminder their superiors can and do read the posts) All should assume the superior is a part of the discussion!
3. General Security (remember anyone in the world can read these discussions)
4. Posting of pictures, e.g., remove names from uniforms, think twice about posting photos .. while fun, they can be used to tie mom to particular daughter

Support is what we are here to give and take but not at the expense of our Sailors.

So what I am proposing is for our group to have a discussion topic that contains all our ideas about how we can moderate our postings for the safety of our daughters. If you think this is a good idea, please post your suggestions. It would help if you identify the part to which your suggestion belongs, e.g., #2 (daughter's security) and #3 (general security): airbrush out the name of your sailor before you post it.

If the consensus is that this is not an idea worth pursuing, I'll delete this discussion. If we get lots of contributions, I'll try to put them all together and change this intro so that it contains all of them in one place for new members to read.

[JM-ISmomx2]

DC - I definately think this discussion is of value. My D is going to be an IS. I have already changed my screen name ( note the change) and have not been using my D's. All in the effort to add more care to our discussions. Any and alll suggestions would be of help.

[Lisa Big E OS Mom]

I've followed the lead, also changing my picture. This pic is special since my daughter drew it of her sister. I know my daughter wants nothing drawing attention to her. Keeping her safe and happy within her division is paramount.

[DC - G'mother of My Fav Sailor]

So, Not using our sailor's as our profile pictures is sometimes necessary, e.g., sailor is in sensitive field, and perhaps often desirable, keeps sailor from being identified by superiors.

[JM-ISmomx2]

Lisa, is my sign on abscure enough or should I change it more. You know my D's name.
And I am going to change my picture too.

[Blondie]

loose lips sink ships. my daughter has been an IS for over 2 years. the less said the better, she came home we never knew she was comming until she got here. her travel plans are top secret, we're on a need to know, we don't even know what air port until she's here, makes pick ups hard, but keeps her safe! my experience with the IS is they usually travel alone and her being a girl, complicates things. this might not be true of all IS's but better safe then sorry. some people think i'm over protective, but if they knew what she did and what she knows......we've gotten letters from her fleet and her comand, we take it very seriously!

[dmarie]

DC - I also think this is a good idea. There are simply fewer women in the Navy, and while it is still a substantial number, if your LO is one of five women on a ship, it could be easy to id her.
I "lurked" and read many posts on here before I started posting myself, and had not given security much thought until I read several entries on this site that promoted security. Fortunately, I already use a nickname as my id, and had not mentioned my DD name too often.
I don't have any suggestions to add, but wanted to support this idea.
Thanks for starting this thread.

[DC - G'mother of My Fav Sailor]

Good point, DMarie. Even with nicknames it is probably wise not to use ship or station location. Many times they are probably identifiable no matter what.

[A's step-mom]

Hi Ladies, I've been working on my page to get it safe for A when she is in BC. Will do anything I can to keep her safe from harm. My page is private now so only my friends can get on. If someone else wants on it they will have to work at it to get on will not be as easy. Changed my name too. I'm on FB and sometime it scares me all the info moms put on there about there sailor. But, I sure will not do that. Like pic's with there ship behind them with the name on it. Even if you block it out there is people that can bring back the blocked part. Just can't be to safe now a days. A leaves for BC the first of the year. She is really excited about going. I'm so very proud of her and scared at the same time. Everyone have a good evening. luv ya all your friend Pam (A's step-mom)

[A's step-mom]

Good morning ladies, I made up my mind when my step-daughter is in BC, I'm going to change my page every week to keep her safe. It can't hurt, because you get use to looking for someone by the pic on the page. So if I change it all the time no one will keep up with me I hope. luv ya all Pam (A's step-mom)

[Brenda]

Thanks Ladies - My D is at MEPS now. I never thought of security issues.

[DC - G'mother of My Fav Sailor]

It is good to become aware that we all need to be vigilant about what is said. You can get the support you need/want, have fun, make good friends and still keep your daughter safe.

[randasmom]

I have no sugestions but have read all ya'lls posts. Will be making changes ASAP to my page. Mine is still a DEPr But we cant be too careful. My screen name cant identify her cause Im the only one who calls her that. Ill remember to no longer use her name. I think our dog would be proud to be our "sign" :) Thanks for all the great suggestions.