In memos to force, Esper issues directions on operational security
By: Aaron Mehta 5 hours ago
WASHINGTON — U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper has released a pair of memos to the Department of Defense, outlining concerns about operational security and issuing new guidance on dealing with the media.
One of the memos, entitled “Reinforcing Operations Security and the Importance of Preventing Unauthorized Disclosures,” was leaked to Defense News Tuesday morning. In it, Esper writes that “‘ongoing reviews reveal a culture of insufficient OPSEC practices and habits at DoD.” The existence of both memos was first reported by CNN.
“The Department of Defense (DoD) remains committed to transparency to promote accountability and public trust,” Esper writes. However, “Unauthorized disclosures jeopardize our DoD personnel, operations, strategies and policies to the benefit of our adversaries.”
A second memo, released concurrently, also lays out guidelines for the force when interacting with members of the news media must be coordinated through DoD public affairs, per CNN. That has echoes of a 2018 attempt made under then-Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis to put strict limits on information sharing with the media.
The memos come two weeks after Esper revealed at a House Armed Services Committee hearing that he had “launched an investigation that is underway to go after leaks,” following reports in the media, based on intelligence sources, that Russia was paying insurgents in Afghanistan to target American forces.
At the hearing, Esper also said he is launching a new effort to “remind people” of operational security issues in the Pentagon. The memo obtained by Defense News seems to fall into that category.
The memo comes with five action points:
– A call to not share information with outside sources, even if they previously worked in the building. “Just because someone has a clearance, or previously worked for DoD, does not mean they have a need to know,” Esper writes, with the last part underlined.
– Ensure that the “appropriate DoD Public Affairs office” authorizes the release of information to media.
– Comply with the official prepublication review process, which Esper in the memo stresses is required “even after you retire, resign or are dismissed from your Government service or contract.”
– Comply with security clearance related obligations.
– Review current DoD wide OPSEC practices to make sure your office is in compliance. As part of this requirement, Esper has ordered that all DoD personnel, including civilians and contractors, take multiple courses hosted online by the Center for Development of Security Excellence within the next 60 days.
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“Not all leaks are created equal. There is a difference between information that puts lives at risk, and information that puts egos at risk. One is always worth chasing, and the other usually isn’t.”
https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2020/07/21/in-memos-to-force-esper-issues-directions-on-operational-security/