16. May 2008 by Revelator.

     Be they in high or low places you need friends if you want to do this thing we call OPSEC.  I guarantee you that your workload will go up and your success will go down without your own OPSEC professionals network.  People out there are doing some great and innovative things that you need to know about.  None of us should work in a vacuum.  Communicate with other OPSEC managers.  Join OSPA or the OPS.  You need to make a conscious effort to meet new people.  Go to the National OPSEC Conference or an OPSEC Forum.  Get out from behind your desk and get to a threat seminar.  When you get out to an event like a conference or formalized training you will meet people.  You can’t help it.  I make, at least, five good contacts at every event I attend.  That’s five more people I can call or email when I’ve got a question.  Five more people who I can share ideas with.  Five more people I can “benchmark” off of.

     Since our program here at the National Nuclear Security Administration, Nevada Site Office won the Organizational Achievement Award at the National Conference last month I get two or three calls or emails a week from people asking for assistance/help/guidance for some area of their program.  Trust me when I tell you there is no way this program would be where it is today without the help and valued assistance from people I now call friend (starting with Wayne Morris who built the program I was fortunate enough to inherit).  As for the calls for assistance, I do everything I can for these people.  When you’ve been as blessed as I have then you understand that you must give back to the community in any way you can.  Plus I feel I need to honor folks like Tom Ariosto, Wayne Morris, Lynne Clark, Dan Wilkinson, Joan Hellon, Scott Milliman,  Bill Feidl and Pat Sipes who have helped and guided me so much over the years.  I just hope that some day you are as fortunate as me to have such a fine OPSEC support network to reach out and touch when you’re in need.

     And when, not if but when, you attend one of these events don’t be afraid to walk up to someone and say “Hi, I’m Joe from Colorado Springs.  How are you today?”  You can start with me.  I’ll be your first contact (if it is me though and I just finished a 90-minute speech, please just follow me to the smoking area and chat me up there instead of keeping me away from the post-speech nicotine fix I need to bad).  Whatever you do, just get the hell out there and talk to someone new and get that network working.

Keep the Faith!

Revelator

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13. May 2008 by Revelator.

     As some of you know I am blessed to have the honor and pleasure of travelling around this great country of ours giving speeches about OPSEC and Security Awareness.  At each and every stop on my tour I get asked about Ray Semko, AKA “The Diceman” or simply “Dice”.  I must admit it’s starting to get annoying when after each speech some well meaning audience member comes up and says something like; “Great speech!  You educated and entertained me and we don’t get that around here to often.  The last time was when that guy Diceman was in town.  He’s great - do you know him?” 

    Yeah, I know him.  I mean, we’re not swapping love notes in gym class but we’ve had a beer or two together over the years.  Hell, he was the guy who convinced me to spend $300 on a custom robe and do my ”Revelator” speeches as they were intended - full out.  I first saw Ray speak at a National OPSEC Conference almost 10 years ago and he not only inspired me in my new chosen field but he also showed me that with enough knowledge and passion one single person could have an impact on many.  I set some significant goals that day and later that night he encouraged me to persue these goals with all my heart.  Each of those goals has been met and I thank the Lord for putting Ray in my life on that day and night. 

     And now we come to this - as I was searching the web in support of some far-flung OSPA initiative I ran across a web page dedicated to my friend Ray http://cicentre.com/dice/feedback.html.  Scanning the tabs on the left of the page I ran across one titled “D*I*C*E Store.  We’ll I just had to click on it didn’t I?  And as I scanned the list of D*I*C*E articles available for purchace I ran across these:                                                                                                                  D*I*C*E Boxer Shorts - a bargain at $19.99.  I was told that I could “enjoy the roomy comfort of our sexy boxers as underwear or sleepwear.  They’re 100% cotton, open fly…for thinking outside the boxers.  Boxers, because you don’t want to be brief.” 

     Now I have mad respect for Ray Semko and happen to think he is a true American Patriot but dude - no way can I buy these.  I see myself one day in a crowded bar where earlier I, and then Ray, wowed and inspired the audience with high-fever speeches and I’m yelling, “Hey Ray!  I’m wearing your underwear!”  Can you hear the deafening silence as every head in the bar turns to look at me with a mixture of distain and humor?  I can.  And for this reason you can all rest assured that that sentence will never cross my lips.

    And for those of you who keep asking me when Ray is coming to your town/base for a presentation check out the link above and ask him yourself.  Better yet - invite him out.  And one last thing - I’ve got a favor to ask; the next time you see a D*I*C*E speech go up to Ray afterwards and ask him if he knows when I’m coming to town again.

Keep the Faith!

Revelator

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6. May 2008 by Revelator.

     As I sit and try to come up with thoughts on the National OPSEC Conference a literary quote comes to me - “It was the best of times, it was the blurst of times.”  Did I say literary?  I meant cinematic.  And by cinematic, I meant The Simpson’s.

     As an OPSEC Conference it indeed was an outstanding event.  Great speakers, honored original Purple Dragons, record attendance, deserving award winners, fantastic location, free Starbucks coffee, snow, trinkets galore, OPSECers dancing on the “Coyote Ugly” bar, the Final Four at the ESPN zone and a chance to see old and dear friends.  As OSPA Vice President thought it was the second most stressful week of my life.

     And yet - here I am.  Here we are.  Still bloody from the battles but healing from the hurt.  Warm embraces come not in the light of day but in the shadows of the night.   Encouragement is not shouted from the mountain tops but whispered on the wind.  And yet; we fight on.

     As Goethe said “Encouragement after censure is as the sun after a shower.”   So I stand in the sun now; drenched in the encouragement of those of who care - showered in the strength of the true believers - lifted up by those in need.  And the OPSEC world spins on…

     Big Mama IOSS still rules the roost.  Big Daddy OPS is still the biggest and baddest society in OPSEC and OSPA is still that paradigm battling punk in the torn “Anarchy” t-shirt who just won’t go the $#&@ away.

      And the question isn’t where your loyalties lie.  Nor is it who side are you on.  No; the question that remains is this: What have you done for your OPSEC Brothers and Sisters today?   

Keep the Faith!

Revelator

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24. April 2008 by Revelator.

While the conference was a rousing success for OPSEC, in general, some valid questions regarding OSPA were raised. To address those questions, OSPA is indeed a registered non-profit 501(c)(3), incorporated under filing 800132682. At the time of the conference, OSPA was recognized as a non-profit, while the bureaucratic formatilities were in process.

Also, OSPA’s web servers are located in Kansas city, not overseas, as was rumored.

Many of you contacted me with these concerns, and I thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. I truly hope that this clears up any confusion.

Chris Cox, OSPA President

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29. February 2008 by Revelator.

My OPSEC Brothers and Sisters!  I am happy to be back in your arms once again.  Time to catch up…

For the uninitiated the WOF is the Western OPSEC Forum put on by the IOSS,  sponsored by OSPA and hosted by the DOGS of OPSEC (NNSA/NSO OPSEC Program Office).  Over a week has passed since the event but let’s see if I can remember the highlights.

As usual the IOSS packed the three-day forum with outstanding speakers giving truly outstanding presentations.  I’m not gonna get into each speaker and presentation so you are just gonna have to trust me - there was mad info available from all corners of the military and civilian world.  If you have yet to attend an Eastern or Western OPSEC Forum I suggest you keep an eye on the IOSS web page for announcements.  Even if you typically get to the National Conference I still strongly suggest you consider getting to one of the Forums - good information - good networking - good times.

OSPA at the WOF:  In attendance were Wayne Morris (Exec VP) and yours truly (VP) as well as Board Members Scott Milliman and Joan Hellon not to mention many OSPA members.  One member, August Schellhase (DOG of OPSEC) was critically instrumental in making sure that this event went off with a minimum of unpleasantries.  And then to our eyes what did we behold?  Well, none other than Chris and Evie - our President and Secretary and their two handsome boys.  They were only able to stay about an hour before scooting back to beautiful downtown Barstow but they brought us a host of gifts and OSPA handouts for WOF attendees.  By the way - this was the first time anyone in OSPA ever had a chance to lay eyes on our reclusive President and his lovely wife.  I’m happy to report that he isn’t nearly as unpleasant looking as I was led to believe.  I don’t have the exact numbers but we signed up 20 or so new members bringing our total membership up to somewhere in the 130 range.  This is great news for our fledgling Association.

In the “I ain’t braggin - just sharing” department:  IOSS Director Marty Quick announced the winner of the National OPSEC Organizational Achievement Award and I’m proud and happy to say that it was the DOGS of OPSEC here at NNSA/NSO.  August and I thank those of you who have sent your congratulations.  But wait - there more…we also won 2nd place in the Multi-media (electronic/video) for our “OPSEC 24/7″ video.  As contractors we can’t actually be awarded the cup or the plaque but we eagerly look forward to watching the Department of Energy accept the award at the National Conference.

I have at least 28 more interesting/funny/embarrassing stories I could relate about the WOF but - as the saying goes; what happens in Vegas - stays in Vegas.

Keep the Faith!

Revelator

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12. December 2007 by Revelator.

That’s right folks.  The Western OPSEC Forum (WOF) is coming to sunny Las Vegas so save up your nickles and get your plans in order.  The Forum takes place 12 - 14 February 2008 and is graciously being hosted by the National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Site Office (NNSA/NSO).  As Manager of the NNSA/NSO OPSEC program you can imagine that I have been fairly involved in paving the way for the IOSSs arrival.  And as OSPA/VP I am happy to announce that the OSPA is co-sponsoring the event.  I happen to know that many OSPA members have already registered and that our Prez/Founder, Exec VP and VP and other members of the Board of Directors are confirmed to attend.  I’m also happy to announce that plans for OSPA’s first member social/meeting are in the works and will be released at a later date. 

All the info you need should need about the WOF is available at http://www.ioss.gov/ but if you still have questions feel free to contact me at marino@nv.doe.gov or 702-295-2979. 

By the way, Wayne Morris (our Exec VP) and I have accepted the invitation to give our “Marketing Your OPSEC Program” presentation.  Also, Board member Scott Milliman will be presenting his highly rated “TRASHINT” brief.  We’ll let you draw your own conclusions about our Marketing presentation but I can personally attest to the high educational and  entertainment value of Scott’s speech.  If you haven’t seen it yet - you need to.  There are also OPSEC workshops for neophytes as well as those of us who consider ourselves fairly versed in things OPSEC.  I’ve attended many of these Forums and I can tell you that the IOSS puts on a great event that is guaranteed to educate you and entertain you as well as providing a great environment for networking and shared comeraderie.  Plus, if you missed it up front - you will be in Las Freaking Vegas!

Seating is limited (this isn’t a line - our seating only allows for 170 attendees) so get to the IOSS site and get registered TODAY!  I’m looking forward to seeing each of you there.

Keep the Faith!

Revelator

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