{"id":32929,"date":"2020-07-21T15:25:06","date_gmt":"2020-07-21T15:25:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/federaltimes\/uncategorized\/2020\/07\/21\/in-memos-to-force-esper-issues-directions-on-operational-security\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T00:25:11","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T00:25:11","slug":"in-memos-to-force-esper-issues-directions-on-operational-security","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/federaltimes\/management\/2020\/07\/21\/in-memos-to-force-esper-issues-directions-on-operational-security\/","title":{"rendered":"In memo to force, Esper issues directions on operational security"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><i>Updated 7\/21\/20 at 6:18 PM EST with comments from Hoffman.<\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">WASHINGTON \u2014 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the memos, entitled \u201cReinforcing Operations Security and the Importance of Preventing Unauthorized Disclosures,\u201d was leaked to Defense News Tuesday morning. In it, Esper writes that \u201congoing reviews reveal a culture of insufficient OPSEC practices and habits at DoD.\u201d The existence of both memos was <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/barbarastarrcnn\/status\/1285521349172232193\">first reported<\/a> by CNN. (After publication of this initial story, the memo was posted to the Defense Department\u2019s website. )<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe Department of Defense (DoD) remains committed to transparency to promote accountability and public trust,\u201d Esper writes. However, \u201cUnauthorized disclosures jeopardize our DoD personnel, operations, strategies and policies to the benefit of our adversaries.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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. However, a department spokesman denied that the two memos are directly linked, saying the media memo is focused on internal communications strategies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The memos come two weeks after Esper <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/pentagon\/2020\/07\/09\/esper-announces-leak-investigation-at-pentagon\/\" target=_blank>revealed at a House Armed Services Committee hearing<\/a> that he had \u201claunched an investigation that is underway to go after leaks,\u201d following reports in the media, based on intelligence sources, that Russia was paying insurgents in Afghanistan to target American forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the hearing, Esper also said he is launching a new effort to \u201cremind people\u201d of operational security issues in the Pentagon. The memo obtained by Defense News seems to fall into that category.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The memo comes with five action points:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>A call to not share information with outside sources, even if they previously worked in the building. \u201cJust because someone has a clearance, or previously worked for DoD, does not mean they have a need to know,\u201d Esper writes, with the last part underlined.<\/li><li>Ensure that the \u201cappropriate DoD Public Affairs office\u201d authorizes the release of information to media.<\/li><li>Comply with the official prepublication review process, which Esper in the memo stresses is required \u201ceven after you retire, resign or are dismissed from your Government service or contract.\u201d<\/li><li>Comply with security clearance related obligations.<\/li><li>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.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition, Esper writes that he has directed Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence &amp; Security Joseph Kernan to \u201ctake several actions to assess and improve our OPSEC and other security-related postures, policies, requirements, practices and, importantly, accountability.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Brent Colburn, who served in 2014 and 2015 as the top public affairs advisor to secretaries Chuck Hagel and Ash Carter, questions whether Esper is going about this process in the wrong way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cLeaks are a problem, and they can cause real damage, especially when they involve classified or operational information,\u201d Colburn said. \u201cBut the number one mistake most leaders make when it comes to curtailing leaks is treating it like an enforcement problem. It\u2019s not an enforcement problem, it\u2019s a cultural problem. People who respect their bosses and believe in the direction of their organization are far less likely to leak.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNot 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\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While the second memo has yet to be made pubic, Jonathan Hoffman, the department\u2019s chief spokesperson, told media that the goal is not to create a chilling effect across the department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s not a blanket or ban on talking to the for authorized disclosures to the press, not at all,\u201d Hoffman said, categorizing the memo as pertaining to internal coordination, particularity through recently stood up strategic communications desk. The goal is to have coordination on major issues throughout the DoD, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There have been attempts in the past to limit communication between members of the military and the press; the memo immediately brought memories of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/breaking-news\/2018\/03\/13\/air-force-orders-freeze-on-public-outreach\/\">2018 attempt<\/a> made under then-Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis to put strict limits on information sharing with the media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI can just reiterate my commitment to you that we\u2019re going to be talking with you guys about issues that come up, you\u2019re going to be able to have conversations with the PAO\u2019s and with senior officials and others throughout the building,\u201d Hoffman said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;Ongoing reviews reveal a culture of insufficient OPSEC practices and habits at DoD,&#8221; writes 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By:"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.0 (Yoast SEO v28.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>In memo to force, Esper issues directions on operational security - Federal Times<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"&quot;Ongoing reviews reveal a culture of insufficient OPSEC practices and habits at DoD,&quot; writes Esper.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"In memo to force, Esper issues directions on operational security\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"&quot;Ongoing reviews reveal a culture of insufficient OPSEC practices and habits at DoD,&quot; writes Esper.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" 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