R 161945Z MAR 25
MARADMIN 194/25
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC PPO WASHINGTON DC//
SUBJ/OPERATIONS SECURITY PRACTICES FOR WARFIGHTING//
REF/A/MCO 3070.2A/THE MARINE CORPS OPERATIONS SECURITY PROGRAM
POC/S. M. DOIN/CIV/PP&O/EMAIL: SARA.M.DOIN(AT)USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/ 
1. Purpose. In accordance with ref (A), to increase the overall 
operations security (OPSEC) awareness and effectiveness across 
the force by combating complacency, increasing situational 
awareness of vulnerabilities, and underscoring best practices
for all Marines to keep in mind as they go about their
warfighting business. 
2. As we carry out our daily missions and modernize for the
future operating environment under Force Design concepts, 
it is vital to remember that our success depends not only
on our strength and skill but also on our ability to protect
the integrity of our operations.  Operations security is an 
essential part of maintaining our tactical advantage, 
ensuring mission success, safeguarding the safety of every 
Marine, and enables our contributions to the Joint Force.  
We must perform OPSEC with the same diligence as other operational
tasks. 
3. OPSEC is everyone’s responsibility.  Whether you're deployed
in the field, stationed at home, or in transit, your actions can
have a direct impact on the security of our unilateral, Joint, 
and combined operations.  Discretion in what we share, 
where we share it, and with whom we share it is key to preventing
adversaries from gaining valuable information.
4. Key Principles to Remember:
a)      Know Your Critical Information:  Understand what information
and indicators need protection from the Critical Information and
Indicators List (CIIL); be vigilant in how you handle and safeguard 
this information. Your OPSEC Program Manager is responsible for
publishing your commander’s CIIL.
b)      Limit Communication:  Be mindful of conversations in public
spaces, online platforms, and social media. A simple comment can 
provide an enemy with a significant advantage. Adversaries 
can correlate seeming disparate data together with advanced 
computing that can produce indicators of our activities.
c)      Monitor Your Surroundings: Always be aware of your
environment and potential threats.  This includes monitoring 
communication channels and ensuring that sensitive materials
are not exposed. Foreign intelligence entities are employed, paid,
and promoted based on their ability to collect USMC information 
– they are incentivized to steal information from you.
d)      Report Suspicious Activity: Your reporting of OPSEC 
violations and possible indicator exposures helps improve the 
operations security process and ultimately improves the USMC’s 
ability to conduct operations.                    
5. Best Practices:
a)      Personal Cell Phones. Personal cell phones are a major
vulnerability that adversaries targeting you and your unit can 
exploit while utilizing a foreign communications network, i.e. 
while operating overseas.  If your command authorizes you to take
your personal cell phone, protect your personal information through
encryption and virtual private networks to reduce vulnerabilities.
b)      Global Positioning Systems (GPS). Commercial GPS devices can
be spoofed since they lack military encryption, i.e. adversaries 
falsify the GPS signal – putting you and your fellow Marines at risk
during a host of activities that require you to report your position
accurately. Many civilian systems, like personal fitness devices, 
collect, aggregate, and make your location data available for sale
and exploitation. Recommend using only Marine Corps approved
GPS devices. Remain proficient at using map and compass.
c)      Geotagging. If you take a digital picture using a personal 
electronic device, there is metadata associated with that picture.
The metadata includes, but is not limited to, the location where the
picture was taken, the time, and other identity-related information, 
and is stored digitally on the file along with other amplifying 
information. Do not post personal pictures to social media that may 
reveal sensitive information about Marine Corps operations. 
A seemingly trivial picture taken while deployed, at an exercise,
or aboard a military installation may reveal critical information
to an adversary particularly when corroborated or compiled with 
other adversary collection means.
d)      Pictures and Videos. Ensure you are aware of what is in the
background of pictures and videos before releasing it on social 
media or to the public and ensure it is cleared through
Communication Strategy and Operations (COMMSTRAT), OPSEC and/or 
the Foreign Disclosure Officer. Be especially careful when
taking pictures at military exercises. Maps, computer screens, 
signs, etc. may reveal Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures 
(TTPs) or other critical information that may be useful to an
adversary, especially when paired with other collection means.
Pictures are generally not authorized on military 
installations or during operations and training. Your
commander should provide guidance and identify appropriate
security review procedures when photography is necessary.
e)      Communication Strategy. Ensure all information, pictures, 
videos, etc. undergo an OPSEC review based off your individual unit’s
CIIL before releasing to the public. COMMSTRAT personnel can assist
with visual information policy and procedures. 
f)      Social Media. Social media is ever present on your devices;
many applications persistently collect identifiable information 
about you, your location, and your associations that can be 
exploited by adversaries. If you do use social media, utilize U.S.
based social media applications, ensure your settings are private, 
and do not post anything that an adversary may use to ascertain
critical information about Marine Corps operations. Avoid 
applications made by companies that are based in adversary
countries/locations or those that have a demonstrated history
of poor cyber security.
g)      Family Awareness. Talk to your family members about OPSEC.
They might not even consider the dangers of sharing operational or
sensitive information with friends, family, or on social media 
posts. You may need to have face-to-face conversations about
timing and general location of where you are deploying. However, 
inform your loved ones of what they can and cannot say to others.
Speak to your children about how important it is that they keep
information about you private.  
6. In every action, whether at home station or in the field,
prioritize the protection of our operations from passive and active
collection by foreign intelligence entities.  The safety of our 
fellow Marines and the success of our mission depend on the 
security we maintain in all that we do.  Stay vigilant, stay 
secure, and continue to uphold the highest standards of 
operations security.
7. Points of contact:
7.a. Col John Maher, PP&O, PLX, Special Activities Branch
Head: 703-692-4866, email: john.maher@usmc.mil
7.b. Sara Doin, PP&O, PLX, USMC OPSEC Program Manager:
703-692-0703, email:  sara.m.doin@usmc.mil.
8. Release authorized by Lieutenant General James W. Bierman, 
DC PP&O//