July 2009
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OPSEC & A Nasty Habit

24. July 2009 by Revelator.

My friends, it is time once again for a guest blogger to put in his two-cents. This entry has a significantly higher military quotient than most of mine and I must say it brings back good memories for this retired GI. The gentleman who wrote this is a good friend (and an ex-boss) - and I consider him one of the premier OPSEC Planners on the planet. Read and heed my friends…Rev

“Everything I learned about really good OPSEC planning for a big operation I learned from dipping snuff,” he said. Not quite sure he was serious, I responded, “You’ve got to be kidding me!” The lack of expression on Sam’s face, as he removed the black plastic lid and spit into his McDonalds’ coffee cup, led me to believe he was serious.

We were on a break from the Joint Planning Group session at a particular US combatant command headquarters, hanging around in the break room engaged in professional Information Operations (IO) discourse and partly solving dilemmas elsewhere on the planet.

Born Samuel T. Cogley five decades ago in rural Arkansas, “Books,” as he was known throughout the IO and Naval Aviation communities, was the most experienced military planner I had ever known. He had been brought in from a “Center of Excellence” to provide electronic warfare subject matter expertise to the combatant commander’s core joint planning group. Now retired, he was working as a defense contractor and did his best to impart IO knowledge on anyone who showed any interest in becoming enlightened.

I was this combatant command’s OPSEC Officer and doubled as the OPSEC planner for the J3’s IO Cell. With most of the folks in the IO Cell away TDY, I actually just happened upon this planning group by shear accident and had no idea that a plan was in work. That is until I heard the constant throat clearing voice of brand new Lieutenant Colonel McClin.

“Major! Major Patrick!”

I had just walked past one of our many conference rooms – which were seemingly always in use – and turned my head. Looking down at a clipboard, Lieutenant Colonel McClin pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and asked, “Are you”…ah-hem…“Major Jonathan Patrick”…ah-hem…”Jonathan Patrick IV,”…ah-hem…”the OPSEC dude?”
Not sure where this was going, I hesitated in responding. “Yes, I am. But you can call me JP4, everyone else does.”

“Okay…ah-hem…JP4; I am Lieutenant Colonel McClin, everyone calls me…ah-hem…Chilly Mac, but since I am a Lieutenant Colonel…ah-hem…in the United States Army, and you…ah-hem…are just a Major, you should call me…ah-hem…Colonel. Please go in and have a seat, the Joint…ah-hem…Planning Group is getting ready to start. I could…ah-hem…cover the OPSEC stuff since… ah-hem…I have done it Iraq before, but since you are here…ah-hem…you can be the OPSEC planning rep.”

As I entered the conference room, I heard someone from the back corner calling out in a loud whisper, “JP4, over here!” It was Books. I went over and sat next to him. “Man, it’s a good thing you showed up, I was afraid I was going to have to cover for your sorry rear end and do the OPSEC planning duties,” Books said. “Hey, give me a break! I didn’t even know about this. Besides, what about that Chilly Mac guy? He told me he could do it, he knows OPSEC…at least he says he’s done it before.”

“Oh, please!”

So, after about an hour, we went on our first break, initially arguing about how zombies were not getting a fair shake in the entertainment world, especially when compared to vampires and werewolves, but somehow came back to OPSEC planning.

I responded to Books’ comment, “What exactly do you mean? How on earth can anyone compare smokeless tobacco to OPSEC planning? Besides, it is such a disgusting habit!
“What, OPSEC planning?”
“No! That stuff you are putting in your mouth!”
“Oh.”
“Wait a minute, how can you even contemplate that OPSEC planning is disgusting?”

“Um, well, not exactly that way, I was actually thinking that most of the time I’ve seen planners wait until the plan is almost complete and ready for execution or the boss’s signature before someone thinks about OPSEC. Kind of like, ‘oh, can you OPSEC folks “sprinkle” a little OPSEC on this before we go to print?’ That’s disgusting from a professional standpoint; kind of sad really.”

“So what do you mean?” I inquired.

Books began his lesson on dipping snuff and equating it to OPSEC planning. “Getting in on the beginning is the key. I need to do my analysis and find out what is allowed in the planning room and what is not. Usually, the command will allow beverages. I mean how can you really do effective military planning without caffeinated beverages?

Sometimes, there will be signs posted that forbid the use of tobacco products. So, I show up with a coffee cup – with a lid – and overtly show everyone that I drink coffee. I mingle, sit in on working groups, I want everyone to recognize I am a coffee drinker. Later, when the time is right, I go away and put in a dip and return with my coffee cup and lid.”
“For me, and I hate to admit this, I cannot do effective military planning without my nicotine, especially if we are doing 12+ hour sessions. If I show up with the regular observable indicators of a dipper of snuff, then I am at risk of getting busted.”

I interrupted, “You mean like Major Sweet, that Marine that walks around everywhere with that old, worn-out, plastic Ozarka water bottle full of spit juice?”
“Yep, exactly!” Books said. “He is never a happy camper when the anti-tobacconists ask him to leave.”

Books continued, “And speaking of the anti-tobacconists, the next part of my analysis of this “threat” – still taking advantage of showing up early – is to scope out the room where we will be planning and find the optimum location to sit and be out of easy purview of the folks looking for dippers.”

“Like where we’re sitting in the conference room today?” I asked. “You’re catching on, JP4, you’re catching on.” “But I never see you spit in there!” I charged. “Ha! You don’t know when to look. Or rather, I know the times when the “bad guys” aren’t looking. Like during slide transitions or when someone asks a question. Their “collection capabilities” are diverted elsewhere and I take advantage of the moment.”

I was still somewhat puzzled. “Okay, so what does this have to do with OPSEC?”

“I’m getting there,” Books responded. “In the grand scheme of things, Major Sweet takes a risk of getting caught, or better yet, doesn’t acknowledge the vulnerability his observable indicators create nor does he appreciate the risk of being seen by the anti-tobacconists. You would probably agree with me that his risk would be rated as HIGH.”

“I, on the other hand, take simple, cost effective mitigation measures to protect my indicators based on a current and thorough threat analysis.”

“The same thing goes for OPSEC planning. If you can get in on the planning early, and see where the plan is headed, you can then take measures and assign tasks far enough in advance to effectively mitigate indicators that reveal friendly intent, capabilities, timing, etc.” “If you show up late to the planning effort, OR, if you get the proverbial request to sprinkle some OPSEC fairy dust on the plan at the last minute, you’re out of position to make anything happen and the bad guys will pick up on the indicators.”

“We know the bad guys look for changes in our routines. We need time to adjust events to keep routines from highlighting what we are up to and you can’t just simply do that on the eve of the operation and you definitely can’t do it after the fact.”

“If I walk in on the last day of planning, I won’t be able to get an optimum seat; all eyes will be on me; and I will either have to go with just drinking coffee or…” “Or take the risk and just go about with your nasty habit ala Major Sweet,” I imparted. I think I’m getting it now…so if a plan depended on moving a specific unit out of particular location, say using C-17s…”

It was Books’ turn to interrupt now, “And the only time C-17s showed up was to move that unit, then that would be a huge indicator. That is unless you set up “random” C-17 flights earlier in the timeline, prior to actual execution.” “That kind of sounds like a military deception plan to me,” I said “Is it?” Books asked.

After a pregnant pause, he continued. “Remember the definition of MILDEC, and who the target audience is. OPSEC has a much broader target audience, and in your example we are not doing it necessarily to cause someone to take, or not take, action. However, you do bring up a valid point; and I must add that I am impressed with the way you think.”

“We can talk the finer points of MILDEC planning and execution later, but in a way you’re correct because OPSEC can use MILDEC as a mitigator to help make it harder for the bad guys to find the real indicators. I guess it really depends who initiates the task and if it was tasked as part of a larger MILDEC plan.”

“You can also kind of make the same correlation with Electronic Warfare and conditioning jamming before an operation. Is that MILDEC? Or is it OPSEC? The EW planner would tell you he is just being the consummate EW professional. Either way, it goes to not highlighting a routine that would give something away to the bad guys. I would like to think that a good OPSEC planner that got in on the planning early would be in a good position to help that EW guy and that deceptionist mitigate those kind of things.”

“Okay, okay, I get it,” I said. But I still had a few more questions.

“Books, I have to ask; why is the lid so important?”

Books smiled as he took another spit. “Cost effective mitigation to overhead surveillance – passersby to you JP4 – plus it doubles as a safety device. I wouldn’t want this to spill. I do have some couth you know!”

“Good point,” I replied. “But is there a tie in with snuff and the Critical Information List? Does dipping itself make you a better OPSEC planner?”

About this time Chilly Mac walked into the break room. Books noticed him before I did and slowly turned to avoid any eye contact with him.

Sensing his desire to stay clear of Chilly Mac, Books softly spoke, “Let’s get back into the conference room. We can talk about Critical Information on the next break.”

Don Sidro
The Godfather of OPSEC

Keep the Faith!
Revelator

Posted in Indicators, OPSEC Plans, Planning | Print | No Comments »

I Am The Walrus (revisited)

21. July 2009 by Revelator.

In yesterdays blog I listed a series of questions that I had hoped to have answered once I received my security clearance. I also stated that I didn’t ever get the answers to most of those. Well, it turns out that one of my faithful readers actually has the answers and is kind enough to share them with the rest of us. Because of the nature of the information and the sensitivity of the sources I cannot provide his/her name - suffice to say that he/she is known to many of you. Enjoy…

Revelator: Hope this helps…

Who really killed Kennedy?
- LBJ.

Did we land on the moon or was that all filmed in a soundstage in Burbank?
- We landed. Myth busters just proved it last night.

What is really going on in Area 51?
- It’s part of the current ‘Air Force Partying System’ - the Air Force had too many wild parties and broke the stereo systems in Areas 1 thru 50.

Is Elvis still alive?
- Yes he is. I just asked him.

Is there really a Hanger 18 and/or a Project Bluebook?
- Yes. It’s between Hangars 17 and 19. Yes. It was a joke. Or joke book.

Is there actually a government warehouse for freaky secret stuff? And if so, is the Arc of The Covenant there?
- Yes. It’s called the Pentagon. And no - God has more sense than to leave his scribbled down notes with a bunch of idiots.

Just who/what the hell is/are the Illuminati?
- Started out as a bunch of free-thinkers in Bavaria circa 1776. Recent Wanna-be’s took the name and supposedly comprise the New World Order…good luck to them.

Are we alone?
- No. If you need proof, just call 555-1212.

Who are the “Nine Unknown Men?”
- No one knows. That’s why we call them ‘Unknown’. But I think at least one’s named ‘Bob’.

Do the Grays really exist - and if they are running the world shouldn’t they be doing a better job of it?
- Yes they do. And yes, they should be; they need all the help they can get. Please call 8675…309. Ask for ‘Jenny’.

What the hell is going on in the Bermuda Triangle - and if it’s so jacked up there why do boats and planes still go there?
- Scientists determined that it’s a weather thing. A confluence of location and jet streams. Boats still go there because of what they saw on either the Adam’s Family movie or Unsolved Mysteries.

Where is Sasquatch and why do we never see more than one at a time?
- He resides at the Holladay Park Plaza, a Portland, Ore. assisted living center. You never see more than one at a time because he’s the only one. He’s classified as a cryptid.

Was that really a weather balloon in Roswell?
- Yes. But they were inadvertently popped by a gang of extra-terrestrials who were subsequently shot down and dismembered by some angry scientists who were really counting on getting that weather data.

What’s up with Stonehenge?
- A grouping of really big rocks which are the property of the English Crown and not the reigning monarch. It’s a place of burial; a domain of the dead.

And what about the Nazca Lines in Peru? Is this “Chariots of the Gods” stuff true?
- Just animal doodles on a large scale. A precursor to crop circles.
- Of course it’s true. It’s how we got Energizer batteries and keep our razor blades sharp.

And now you know…the rest of the story.

Keep the Faith!
Revelator

Posted in BS, Critical Information, General OPSEC | Print | No Comments »

I Am The Walrus

20. July 2009 by Revelator.

Way back in 1978 I started the process for my Department of Defense security clearance. I’ve had this thing for long about 32 years now so I’m fairly versed in how we handle, store, transmit, disseminate, and otherwise protect classified information. But I must say that as an 18 year-old waiting on my clearance I was pretty damn naive.

I actually thought that once I got my clearance I would be able to see all the Top Secret information the government had on file. I was pumped! I was finally gonna get the answers to some of the nagging questions that my government wouldn’t share with those so unfortunate as to not be cleared.

Here is my list of things I wanted to know:

Who really killed Kennedy?
Did we land on the moon or was that all filmed in a soundstage in Burbank?
What is really going on in Area 51?
Is Elvis still alive?
Is there really a Hanger 18 and/or a Project Bluebook?
Is there actually a government warehouse for freaky secret stuff? And if so, is the Arc of The Covenant there?
Just who/what the hell is/are the Illuminati?
Are we alone?
Who are the “Nine Unknown Men?”
Did Jesus have a wife?
Do the Greys really exist - and if they are running the world shouldn’t they be doing a better job of it?
Is Paul McCartney dead?
What the hell is going on in the Bermuda Triangle - and if it’s so jacked up there why do boats and planes still go there?
Where is Sasquatch and why do we never see more than one at a time?
Was that really a weather balloon in Roswell?
What’s up with Stonehenge?
Is Yoko Ono the Antichrist?
And what about the Nazca Lines in Peru? Is this “Chariots of the Gods” stuff true?

As you may know, or certainly must have guessed, I didn’t find the answers I was seeking once I got my clearance. Well, that’s not entirely true…I have been to Area 51 (didn’t see one stinking alien) and it looks like Paul is alive and well and I’m pretty sure Yoko Ono is not the Antichrist though I have no evidence to back that up either way. But the fact remains that once I got my clearance there was very little classified information that the government would let me get my hands on.

For those of you who have never had a clearance you may be asking why this is; three simple words - Need To Know. I didn’t have the Need to Know any of the information I was seeking (if it even exists - which I doubt).

Most of us understand and properly use Need to Know when dealing with classified information but I ask you now - how are you with unclassified information? Do you still apply Need to Know principles when someone asks you for unclassified sensitive or critical information? If someone you work with were to ask you to let them read a “For Official Use Only” document would you give it to them without much thought?

Sadly, most of us would. I mean, it’s unclassified for Heavens sake. If it was worthy of protection someone would have made it classified wouldn’t they? And therein lies our problem. A good number of us don’t really think anything unclassified requires any type of protection. Well, if that were true may I be so bold as to suggest that we don’t need OPSEC.

If we’re not going to bother seeing “For Official Use Only” or “Sensitive But Unclassified” or “Unclassified Controlled Nuclear Information” or “Law Enforcement Sensitive” or “Sensitive Homeland Security Information” or “Administratively Controlled Information” or “Security Sensitive Information” or “Critical Infrastructure Information” or “Personally Identifiable Information” or “Controlled Unclassified Information” as information requiring protection then why bother with any of these identifiers?

Back to the point: Need to Know needs to be applied to unclassified sensitive information (in all its forms) in the same way we apply it to classified information. If coworkers Bob or Janet want to see that “For Official Use Only” document then you need to verify that they have a Need to Know the information - that they need this information to do their job. And if you can’t verify that then you can’t let Bob or Janet see the information.

Pretty simple really.

And I hate to be the one to break this to you but yeah…Elvis is dead. Sorry man.

Keep the Faith!
Revelator

“I Am The Walrus” - The Beatles

Posted in Critical Information, General OPSEC | Print | No Comments »

Miss You

9. July 2009 by Layne.

Hey Baby!!

I sure miss you and the kids!!!!!!!!! XOXOXOXOX I know I’ve only been here two weeks but OMG do I miss you guys. I want to be back home so bad it hurts. I miss wrestling with Dylan and (don’t tell any of my boys this) but I really do miss Shelby’s tea parties (please tell her again that daddy is sorry he broke her chair). And do I have to even go into the things I miss about you? Especially after that last email I sent!! There are times when missing you guys really gets to me but I’ve been lucky so far and have been able to find places where I can be alone. To paraphrase Tom Hanks - “There’s no crying in war!”

Thank God I’ve got my blog so I can keep the whole family up to speed about what I’m doing. I know everyone is worried about me but hopefully if they know what I’m up to they won’t worry as much. In yestersay’s blog I tried to tell them everything I could about what what I was doing in Mosul. I know it’s on the news and all over the Internet but as usual they got it all wrong - they reported we were there just to quell some uprising but we were really there trying to capture an Al Queda bad guy who was in the area. We missed him but we’re going back tonight (in about an hour actually). We’ve got some info from a cousin of his that he’s hiding out in a Mosque near the park in Central Mosul. He was tipped off last night but I think we’ll get him this time - as long as everyone keeps their damn mouths shut! Keeping a secret around here is harder than keeping your brother off Meth (how is he doing by the way?)

And can you please tell everyone that I’m doing my best to keep up with the tweets. It’s just kind of hard when you’re rolling down the highway on your way to attack a target and you’re worried about an IED blowing your ass off. I’ll do my best but please ask everyone to understand if they don’t get up to the minute tweets from me. I’m trying to kill bad guys here and tweeting may not be the first thing on my mind.

And can you tell Dad not to call me on the cell every time he hears that someone died over here - it’s getting kind of annoying. Between the tweets, the MySpace page, the blog and my daily emails - I would think that would be enough information for the whole blessed family.

Hey, I was thinking the other night about getting you that new car…Baby, if you just absolutely can’t live without a new Mini then I guess when I get back we can get one for you. I know me being over here is very hard on you so I figure it’s the least I can do. You (and the kids) are the reason I’m over here babe. I want Dylan and Shelby to know that at least one time their daddy stood up for something that was important to him - and to his country. And I’ll never tell dad this but when I put on my uniform and I see the name he gave me on it I feel that I’m carrying him with me. I know that even though he’s not much on words I know he’s proud of me and yes, even that he loves me. When I get home I’m just gonna tell him I love him and I don’t care if he says it back - I just have to say it one time - so he knows.

I’ve got to get to the mission brief now baby. Hug Dylan and Shelby for me and tell them that daddy will be home soon. I’ll twitter when we’re done and email you as soon as I get back. I have to email you - there is something important I want to tell you about - it’s great news so don’t worry but I don’t have time now to tell you - gotta run. I love you with all my heart Angel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

EPILOGUE: This was Private Lindmarks last email. His unit was ambushed that night as they approached the mosque in Mosul. No one knows how the information got to the opposing force. What we do know is that 17 soldiers lost their lives that night, 9 wives were widowed and 12 children will never see their father (and one mother) ever again.

Keep the Faith!
Revelator

Miss You - The Rolling Stones

Post Script - This story is a fictional account of something I hope never happens.
Rev

Posted in Critical Information | Print | 1 Comment »

Archive for July 2009

OPSEC & A Nasty Habit

I Am The Walrus (revisited)

I Am The Walrus

Miss You