JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
With recent incidents involving the release of information to the public, such as the case of Bradley Manning, an Army specialist who leaked hundreds of thousands of military files online, Joint Base San Antonio is reiterating the importance of national security as part of the Continuous Evaluation Program.
The program, in effect since 1952, requires commanders, supervisors and individuals to share responsibilities for compliance and ultimately maintain themselves as trustworthy members of the U.S. government.
"In some of these cases, there were indicators that the person was not reliable or trustworthy in relation to handling sensitive government information," Debra Chauvin, 502nd Air Base Wing Operating Location-B information protection security specialist, said.
A part of the Continuous Evaluation Program's governing regulations, DoD 5200.2-R, Appendix 8, shows 13 guidelines that can affect a person's ability to protect information.
The guidelines include allegiance to the U.S.; foreign influence; foreign preference; sexual behavior; personal conduct; financial considerations; alcohol consumption; drug involvement; emotional, mental and personality disorders; criminal conduct; security
violations; outside activities; and misuse of information technology systems.
"Whenever someone knows of a person who is involved in a situation under these 13 guidelines, they should report them to their unit security manager, supervisor or commander," Chauvin said.
While the military promotes camaraderie within its ranks, protecting national security must supersede protecting a colleague's or friend's misconduct, Chauvin said.
"In the long run, sensitive information breaches can hurt every U.S. citizen," she said. "We must all take ownership for our actions, but we must also be watchful of others."
Some meaningful observations that can reveal potential misconduct regarding sensitive information include individuals changing their patterns of behavior and receiving derogatory phone calls from others, especially those outside of uniform.
In Air Force Instruction 31-501, labeled Personnel Security, requirements have been added that a security information file needs to be established if a person misuses a government purchase card or government travel card.
"We as unit commanders and staff agency chiefs have the responsibility to determine if a SIF is necessary with the intent of national security," Erica Richard, 502nd ABW chief of information protection, said. "A SIF is not intended to be used as an administrative action or punishment."
For more information, please contact your local information protection office.