Please Read This First!

OPSEC applies to EVERYONE

Marty Horn — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 20:00:30 GMT

OPSEC is a term used by the Military which means "Operational Security".

Remember the "Loose Lips Sink Ships" line from WWII? Applies just as much today...and tomorrow.

Something as important as Operational Security needs to be referenced from the source, not a self-proclaimed expert. Every now and then we get an 'expert' (for some reason it is always a spouse of a Military person) who not only knows everything about security, but is more than willing to post all kinds of advice. BEWARE THE SOURCE. If posting helpful advice, please state your background/sources/experience/certifications to provide material and guidance.

Try reading these for some help:

http://www.defendamerica.mil/articles/a021202b.html

http://www.ioss.gov/bulletin.html

http://www.army.com/articles/item/3305

Of course, Army Regulation 530-1 is a great source, unfortunately it is classified....(big help, huh?) (it is designated FOUO For Official Use Only, so it isn't supposed to be posted on a web site...sorry)

THE best OPSEC rule for this forum is "If in doubt, leave it out!". Let's keep the troops safe, supported, and get them back alive.

Use of PMs

Marty Horn — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 19:53:06 GMT

This forum has many features, to include "PMs", the ability to send a Private Message to another member.

This is a common and very helpful tool and it is there for your use. FREE.

However, abusing PMs is too easy for some people and they love to harass or play the BMOC.

This will not be tollerated. Anyone getting abusive PMs sould forward them to me, and I will fix that.

Use the Search tool!!

Marty Horn — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 19:46:06 GMT

A really good suggestion in this forum is for folks to use the search tool (see the upper part of this forum...) BEFORE you post a question.

This will help in many ways, especially from loading tons of posts when an answer already exists.

As was said in the suggested thread, MANY answers already exist, so give 'er a try!

However, NEVER be afraid to use this forum. Don't just 'lurk', fire it up!!

Any Soldier Inc. and Security

Marty Horn — Tue, 15 May 2007 13:02:15 GMT

The more you learn about security, the more 'experts' you find that have no training or experience with it.

I bring to this site 20 years of security experience. In that time as an Army Military Policeman, I have been involved in:

Personal Security (bodyguard stuff for Commanding Generals)
Physical Security (safekeeping of assets, including a stint as evidence custodian)
Site Security (planning and protection for military installations)
Nuclear Security (3 years at one of the largest Nuke Depots in the world)

ALL entries on the Any Soldier site are reviewed by personnel with experience and are ONLY edited to remove any potential security violations. One of the Any Soldier Support Team is an Air Force Lieutenant Colonel who has done combat deployments, another is an ex-Sniper Team leader, Army Airborne Infantry Sergeant who has 8 years in the field.

We post no pictures which may give away information which may be used as targeting data, troop strength data, specific locations or any other bit of info that may be a part of a puzzle being compiled by the enemy. We only edit the text of updates to insure there are no mistakes. It happens, you will see this at times as we "XXXX" what we believe should not be there.

We completely support the revised Army Regulation 530-1, "OPSEC" (OPerational SECurity) and even remind our contact applicants of it.

Terms and Condition of use.

Marty Horn — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 12:16:33 GMT

OK, the legal stuff:

Terms and Conditions on the use of AnySoldier.com and any content therein.

Privacy Policy

Non-Discrimination Policy

Etiquette/Guidelines for Posting

Marty Horn — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 14:14:34 GMT

Note we got from a very smart supporter:

"MOST people seem to understand public forum etiquette, such as checking first to make sure you're not posting something that's already been posted or "hijacking" someone's thread. But in every forum I've ever been a part of, there are always those few that try to "talk louder" than everyone else, and they end up driving some people away. So a reminder or something at the top of the page would be great, in my opinion. I'm realistic, of course, so I know even a flashing neon sign won't stop some people. But most people just need a gentle reminder that a public forum isn't their own personal soapbox or blog."

Please note that a LOT of children use this web site and forum. ALL content will be "G" rated. We are really proud that in 4 years and over 30,000 military contacts (in war zones no less!) all but one of them have kept to this standard. Heck, there is always one... Point is, if the GIs can do it, I know the supporters can.

Folks who use this forum to sell stuff will be dumped. Same for folks who wish to convert people or spout politics.

Folks, we appreciate your contribution to this forum and want this to be a resource for supporters wanting to help the troops. Failure to use acceptable etiquette and helping keep threads in the right place will force us to drop you. We don't want to drop anybody.

Thanks, very much, for your support!!