Civilian OPSEC (Operational Security)
As I wrote recently in this article on OPSEC, “Operational Security” is a surprisingly controversial subject in the prepping community. For some, OPSEC means keeping every single aspect of being a prepper secret from everybody. For others, it means something much less stringent.
We’ve had a lot of responses to that article both in the comment section and also in private communication.
One of our regular readers and frequent comment writer, Michael, had quite a few thoughts to share via the back channels so I asked him if I could make his thoughts public.
The following is written by him, sharing his thoughts on OPSEC. There are some things we don’t agree on but I think it’s good to have different thoughts and opinions shared and debated (just stay away from politics, please). The views stated are Michael’s, in his own words.
Civilian OPSEC
By Michael
Salty from my point of view there is three levels of OPSEC for the civilian who wants to be left alone (Local, State, Federal). There is local where your concerned just who knows your a Prepper and thus a WalMart for the unprepared. NICE People are just a “Mommy I’m HUNGRY” from doing what ever they have to for their families.
Do not underestimate the corrosive effects of drugs and sadly media to affect the thoughts and actions of “Nice People” when stressed. Crime wise at local level your claim that folks living in small towns, large town or city don’t care what your doing is nonsense. The impulse criminals (kids, druggies and low life thugs) are on the look out for easy pickings like that big screen TV cardboard box awaiting the dump run, shiny toys like that side by side ATV and loose lips about valuables.
Having police friends in my tribe, I can tell you about the curiosity of smart criminals who do PLAN their actions and are intensely interested in your firearms collection as well as your survival situation if SHTF. Yes, the thinking criminals are thinking about surviving SHTF in style. Some of these thinking criminals maybe nice normal people you know who currently live with in “Normal Rules”.
Martial Law
Not to be long winded State and Federal Level at least in your area of cattle and corn silos would be interested in “Trouble Kernels” where potential threats to their efforts to control Food Stuffs and possible resistance to Martial Law under the continuation of Government acts signed by every President for several decades. That and the Media-Government interface where “Show Raids” with BATF supported by News Helicopters/Vans want to make a power point presentation about the foolishness of resisting the Government.
Normally I say most of your trouble in SHTF will be with in 20 miles of your place BUT State and Federal interest in you can be a real problem as a protruding nail will be hammered. You KNOW your in real trouble if CNN Helicopters and SWAT vans are in your area.
The Feds
OPSEC is important with local, state, Federal In the age of Media driven Hyper-Partisanship as well as money hungry lawyers (seen the ads about everything we can get you money for…) having a Gadsden Flag or bumper stickers may trigger folks to action. I’ve known a local case where a “I don’t dial 911” bumper sticker was used by defense lawyers to show how the home owner was the Aggressive type to that poor “Sweet” youngster who broke into their house that night. Scary sad but true. Having Police friends who will talk shop to you can ruin your peaceful sleep.
Grasshoppers have it easy as long as the Just in Time supply system, the power grid and the Truckers keep rolling. Being a forward planning active Ant takes a lot of time, effort and THINKING to succeed. OPSEC is mainly about keeping the target OFF your back. Maybe someday you and I can talk about Dis-information and Misdirection as a way to be a stealth prepper.
Lone Wolf Preppers have to sleep sometime and will not prosper. A tribe that will support you, lie for you and otherwise cover your back is critical BUT be aware of the “too eager to start something folks” as Federal Plants are under the gun to have something “Actionable” with in a few months not to spend years with boring homesteaders. At my age I like “Boring” something nice about a cup of coffee and a nice sunrise looking over my gardens.
Who Do You Trust?
From the OPSEC side some folks ask how do you know who to trust. Much like what you have told me about yourself Salty, I am not a activist. I simply want to be left alone to putter with my gardens and hobbies. But as a retired medical soldier who has been in “interesting” places most of my career and a History Buff I have seen what troubles can come to even the most meek and quiet among us.
Thus, civilian OPSEC is keeping untrustworthy folks from getting you in trouble with government folks or robbed, legally (anti-hording or red flag laws) or illegally. First trust is earned not given. If so and so vouches for them so what? YOU have to decide if they are trustworthy not someone outside your group. Almost every episode of FBI informers being discovered inside a group they were Vouched for by someone some distance away but trusted. Sad to say choosing to live a preparedness lifestyle is often looked on as potentially dangerous to others.
Personal Interaction
Personally in all things serious I take my time with you. I come over to help you with yard work or cleaning the barn. Then I see if you return the favor unasked. I loan you a tool or maybe buy you lunch to talk together. Again I wait to see if you return the tool clean and or buy me lunch reasonably promptly with out reminders. Little things speak volumes.
When I talk to someone I often speak of someone we both know off hand. I speak nicely but not overly supportive of them as in He’s a pretty decent guy and wait to see what they say. If they start talking outside of school about them THINK what he will say about you when your not there. Allow them to speak freely with out limiting them by saying something like “He not like that”. Sociopaths have trouble speaking well of others if allowed to expound of their worldview.
Watch their eyes when they tell you something. Liars often advert their eyes although sociopaths are more skilled. A story told with out many details is apt to be less than truthful. Life is not simple. A smile that does not reach the eyes is not usually realistic. I’ve learned a lot reading body language. Trust your guts esp. when someone is Perfect for your needs. No body is perfect.
If you show a work ethic, trustable with small things and don’t talk badly about folks not there you have promise.
Layers
Civilian OPSEC is multi-layered. Even if I think well of you why should I show you my food reserves or whatever? Bragging is not a OPSEC thing. An unhappy family member or unhappy neighbor cannot red flag you for legal weapons removal if they are unaware of them.
Somehow I did not address Family and OPSEC. Family can be by blood or marriage but really does that matter?. Family members of blood and marriage can be your best allies or your worst betrayals. They must be looked at like anybody else with open eyes to see if they are trusted allies, friends or potential weak links. Yes, that’s a bit harsh but having Family rat you out for some insult or a personal weakness of theirs hurts deeply.
True family is often called true friends. People toss around words like Love, Hate and Friend too loosely. Do you really love coffee? Does it love you?
True Family is those who care for you and has your back and you theirs. True Family is a TREASURE beyond measure. Treasure them, protect them and support them.
A good and interesting read. The ability to really know a person is a special skill that many fail in. That the time to know.
Well written and taken to heart,don’t see how anyone could disagree.OPSEC is personal vetting makes it even more personal.