Military OPSEC Tips: How to Make Your Blog Compliant

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Hey Military Spouse Bloggers—has your spouse ever come home from an OPSEC briefing with your blog on the screen? Mine did. We both laughed, but quietly. I had no idea my blog was being reviewed for security risks. I write about travel, food, military life, and everything in between. But I’m only an expert in one thing—me. And apparently, that’s enough to pose a threat.

How to Make Your Blog OPSEC Compliant

Operational Security (OPSEC) isn’t just a military issue. It’s a family issue. It’s a blog issue. And yes, it’s a social media issue too. In 2024, a leaked TikTok video showing soldiers preparing for a deployment went viral—and within hours, it was removed and flagged as a violation of OPSEC. In one case, a military spouse influencer shared countdowns, flight info, and a location tag—drawing unwanted attention and a mandatory command meeting.

Set aside the fact that the military speaks a foreign language made up of acronyms—PCS, CONUS, UAB, OCONUS. The one you should always remember as a blogger is OPSEC. It means not revealing movements, methods, or timelines. It means not posting before your spouse has even left the tarmac.

Complying with OPSEC in 2025

OPSEC isn’t just about what you say—it’s about when and how you say it. Most violations today happen in real-time. Posting live from the airport? Tagging your location abroad while your spouse is deployed? That’s all data. And algorithms, adversaries, and yes—even bots—are watching.

• Don’t post until you’re gone. Delay sharing photos and videos of your location until after you’ve left.
• Don’t reveal future travel. Saying “headed to Germany next week” gives away more than you think.
• Don’t share routines or patterns. Morning runs, pick-up times, and duty schedules should stay offline.

1. Never Use Last Names

Last names can be easily cross-referenced with base directories or social media. Use initials or general titles. If someone needs the full name, they can message you privately.

2. Never Post Birthdays, Arrivals, Departures, etc.

Even if it feels innocent—“Can’t wait to pick him up next Friday!”—you’re telling strangers when and where a soldier will be. Use vague timeframes instead.

3. Never Post Authoritative Information

Just because your spouse shares something with you doesn’t mean it’s safe to share online. Even harmless stories can become breadcrumbs when combined with public images, patches, or unit names.

Why It Matters Now More Than Ever

In 2025, we’re living in a world of targeted phishing scams, spoofed profiles, and AI-generated facial recognition. Adversaries don’t need much to build a profile on your family—and your blog might be the blueprint. Recently, cybercriminals used open-source images of a deployed unit to create fake soldier accounts to scam military families.

Blogging is personal. But military life is public. And that intersection requires responsibility. Protect what matters. Use discretion. Share smart. Because even the best story isn’t worth your safety.

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