In the past few hours many of us have watched the discussion regarding classified documents & their appropriate storage.
Since like most senior officers I had some experience in this area, I thought it would be helpful to provide some BASIC info.
So, this new 🧵is born! 1/21
1st, there are three levels of security classification for the US Government:
-Classified
-Secret
-Top Secret
Each one of those have increasing degree of sensativity.
I'll cover those first 3, but please know there are "additional" descriptors confusing levels we'll get to.2/
CLASSIFIED is the lowest classification level. It's information that might "damage or disclose" an element of national security.
Classified document may address particulars about a weapon system (e.g., max range of a missile) or #'s of soldiers deployed. 3/
SECRET documents have info if disclosed would cause "serious damage" to national security.
That damage may include disruption of foreign relations, description of plans or intelligence operations, or compromise of technologies.
Most contingency plans are marked SECRET. 4/
Executive Order 13526 say:
"TOP SECRET classification [is] applied to information, the unauthorized disclosure of which reasonably could be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to the National Security that the original classification authority is able to identify" 5/
To get any clearance requires an increasingly difficult & personally intrusive vetting process.
It starts w filling out a very long form, called an SF 86, with your life story: jobs, schools, people you know, addresses, invasive questions.
You can find an example on line. 6/
For the highest security clearances, people come to your door - and the door of those you list on your form, and your bosses, your teachers, your friends - and ask a lot of questions. There's also a criminal background check.
The investigation can take months to complete. 7/
By the way, one must have a job that REQUIRES a specific clearance...you just can't afor one.
And every few years, the clearance needs renewal...which usually comes with another investigatory update and more checks, to ensure there's been no violations!
Seems ominous, right? 8/
Now, there are add-ons, which we're hearing about now. I'll address two:
SAPs or Special Access Programs.
-SCI or Sensitive Compartmented Information 9/
SAPs are "need to know" programs and equipment that if disclosed would critically damage the program or national security.
These are protected by employing dramatically enhanced security measures to strictly enforce programs where selected people have a need-to-know. /10
There are onerous access & security requirements, with only those who have a need to know gaining access. These programs are closely guarded with extreme measures of security, to include use of code words.
Even mentioning those code words to those not read on is a violation.11/
During my career, I was "read on" to several of programs, but I was one of few people in the organization who knew about the program.
The programs contribute to accomplishing the mission, but there are serious rules for even discussing w/ others who know about it. 12/
SCI is classified information that comes from sensitive intelligence sources (people or systems), methods, or analytical processes.
SCI is handled within formal access control systems established by the @ODNIgov .
Often, those with TOP SECRET Clearance also have TS-SCI. 13/
The U.S. specifies - in excruciating detail - procedures for protecting levels of classified information.
There are security managers who log the documents.
There are special rooms/buildings for holding and handling that must be cleared to hold the level of secret material. 14/
You'll often hear the word "SCIF" (Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility).
That's a secure place where sensitive information can be viewed & discussed to prevent surveillance or spying.
SCIFs are permanent or temporary & usually require special locks and/or guards. 15/
There are classified computers that use the Secure Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPRNet).
That system is an interconnected computer networks used by various government agencies to transmit classified information (but only up to and including SECRET). 16/
There are other network, too, (e.g., NATO secret), but I won't get into those.
(BTW, on my desk in Iraq, in a SCIF facility I had a regular computer & three other classified systems...and way too many emails to read late at night when I returned to the headquarters). 17/
But interestingly, not all documents come over computers. TS, TS-SCI, and other documents are passed in what is called a "Black Book" (brought by courier).
For the President, that info is contained in the PDB (President's Daily Brief).
Documents are scrupulously tracked. 18/
What does a classified document look like? Here's a sanitized one, with markings.
Red marks at top, each paragraph classified, each page numbered with the classification on top.
Note the "classification" and "declassification" block on the lower left. A bit on that...19/
Note the classification "authority." That's the person or office that determines the classification (usually an intelligence agency, though in combat I personally classified some documents).
Note the "declassification." Only the office that classifies can declassify...20/
The reason the classifier also declassifies is a "process" must notify all others who are involved with the information...or who may be endangered by its release.
Yes, technically, @potus can order declassification...but other people have to know & the date must be noted!!! 21/
I hope this information is helpful to those who are discussing this issue given what seems to be a lax approach to guarding our nation's secrets caused by some in the last administration.
This is serious business for our nation's security. 22/22
I wrote "Classified" when it should be "Confidential." My bad!
Sorry, typo...Confidential, not Classified.
*Sensitivity.* Sorry.
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Woke up to several texts from journalists asking my thoughts on "West Point dropping duty, honor, country from their motto?" and one wrote "does this mean the Academy has gone 'woke'?"
My first thought: "let me get a cup of coffee before addressing this craziness."
A 🧵 1/9
This week, graduates received a letter from LTG Steve Gilland -the Superintendent (the USMA college president)- of @WestPoint_USMA informing of changes in the MISSION STATEMENT (NOT the motto).
The letter specifically said the MOTTO "Duty, Honor, Country" has NOT changed. 2/
Now, I know LTG Gilland well. He's a great soldier, terrific leader, and a common-sense guy.
As any leader - general or business CEO - knows, you have to continuously assess and analyze your mission statement.
In fact, I teach this to MBA students in leadership classes. 3/
Many of you have heard me say this multiple times with respect to the war in Ukraine.
Now we'll start seeing the same in Gaza with JLTOTS pronounced "Jay-Lots" for the media).
A 🧵 1/9
"Logistics determine the art of the possible."
Many of you have heard me say this multiple times with respect to the war in Ukraine.
Now we'll start seeing the same in Gaza with JLTOTS pronounced "Jay-Lots" for the media).
A 🧵 1/9
Airdropped humanitarian aid is precise and speedy, but it's limited in it's capability and capacity for certain kinds and large amounts of supplies. It's also relatively expensive.After you deploy expensive parachutes and GPS devices into the area, it's hard to get them back! 3/
On 24 Feb 2022, I scribbled some thoughts about what I believed were Putin's strategic objectives in invading Ukraine (see chart).
In the 1st 18 months of the conflict, Ukraines' action, NATO collaboration & US support caused him to fail.
We're at an inflection point. A 🧵1/
Addressing each: 1. Zelenskyy is still strong 2. Ukraine's army is still fighting 3. Ukraine's population is resilient 4. Ru does not control the Black sea ports 5. The west - especially the US - has returned to being divided, and NATO may now take fewer risks. 2/
Putin now knows that Ukraine's continued capability will - for the short term - continue to require support from the west.
So he is pulling out all stops, w/ mobilizations (over 400k new (untrained) soldiers as "meat" for attacks), a ramped up industrial base, & oppression. 3/
GEN Zaluzhnyi is 51 y.o., extremely young for a Commander of any nation's Armed Forces. Most 4-star generals are in their 60's with much more experience.
Since Feb '22 he's been the tactical, opn'l & strategic leader of the toughest fight we've seen in the 21st century. 2/
Here's what I mean by "tactical, opn'l, strategic" commander:
1. He commands the 2000+ mile tactical front 2. He coordinates each battles into an operational campaign plan 3. He "plays" in the strategic arena with his nation's leaders & over 50 supporting nations. 3/
Deterrence defined: The action or actions used to discourage an event by means of instilling doubt or fear of the consequences over time.
Many say deterrence against Iran & its proxies is failing.
It's too early to tell. 1/8
DETERRENCE is one technique that MAY contribute to national security strategy.
Some define strategy as the use of different MEANS in specific WAYS to reach on END STATE or OBJECTIVE.
I agree with that definition...and it's sorta like deterrence. 2/
In National Security Strategy, MEANS equates to difference tools at the nation's disposal (diplomancy, information, economics, military). WAYS is the approach you use to make those tools effective (think maneuver with military, economic sanctions, condemning actions, etc). 3/