scope:

APPLICABILITY AND SCOPE

This Directive:

Applies to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Military Departments, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field Activities, and all other organizational entities in the Department of Defense (hereafter referred to collectively as the "DoD Components").

Requires that OPSEC planning and analysis is performed by commanders, supervisors, or decision makers charged with the ultimate responsibility for mission accomplishment, i.e., those most familiar with the operational aspects of a particular activity including the supporting intelligence, counterintelligence, and security countermeasures.

Applies to all activities that prepare, sustain, or employ U.S. Armed Forces during war, crisis, or peace including such activities as those involving research, development, test and evaluation; DoD contracting; treaty verification; nonproliferation protocols; international agreements; force protection; and the release of information to the public. OPSEC is a core capability of IO, and as such, OPSEC supports land, sea, air, and space operations. The level of OPSEC to apply is dependent on the assigned mission and the circumstances, targets, and resources available.

Requires that the Heads of the DoD Components designate OPSEC Program Managers or Coordinators in all commands and agencies and establish and maintain an OPSEC program that promotes an understanding of OPSEC among all personnel. Additionally, ensures that OPSEC training and education is established and available to the IO career force personnel commensurate with their responsibilities.

REISSUANCE AND PURPOSE

This Directive:

Reissues Reference (a) to update policy and responsibilities governing the DoD Operations Security (OPSEC) Program and incorporates the requirements of Reference (b) that apply to the Department of Defense.

Under Reference (b), designates the Director, National Security Agency as the Federal Executive Agent for interagency OPSEC training.

Underscores the importance of OPSEC and how it is integrated as a core military capability within Information Operations (IO) that must be followed in daily application of military operations (Reference (c)).