Bergdahl freed: Releasing too many details again?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 31 May 2014 18:46:56 -0400

Once again the Navy Seals are in the news. There were the team that picked up SGT Bergdahl in Afghanistan. Do we need to know this? Should we know this? As the hours go by we learn even more about who picked him up, where, what type of aircraft will transport the detainees, etc.

After Bin Laden was killed they said Americans, then a flood of information of the Navy Seals, type of helicopters and what was special about them, how he was hunted down up to and including books written and helping Hollywood producing a movie about it.

Why do some people feel the need to release all this information and just let it all out there? Is it helpful? Is it hurtful to our defense and their capability?

Where are the other special operations teams being given credited for their missions? Is it just because the Navy Seals did the Bin Laden raid that they are in the new again or is it that they are the ones selected for these types of high profile missions and not other forces?

What are your thoughts of this and their affect on our elite forces.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/05/31/wh-us-solider-held-in-afghanistan-bergdahl-is-released-after-five-years/

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2014 6:47 PM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 31 May 2014 18:47:43 -0400

There is no such thing as OPSEC with the media involved. It should be a "need to know" basis, and the media does not need to know those details. I think it puts the spec ops troops in danger when such details are readily given out by the media. Further more IMHO, OPSEC went in the toilet when we started embedding the media into combat operations. When do we begin to comprehend that the enemy is intelligent, has computers, and also watches the same media? On a side note, I am always telling/reminding fellow deployed Airmen to turn off their location services on Facebook because their direct deployed location is right there for everyone to see.

Response by CMC Robert Young made May 31 at 2014 7:17 PM

CMC Robert Young — Sat, 31 May 2014 19:17:14 -0400

I concur with much of what has already been said. The sad fact is the "we" talk too much about things we shouldn't. Politicians failed to grasp that our enemies are watching and listening to everything we say and do. We're have been for years giving away that which makes us strong.......and somebody needs to be smart enough to put a stop to it.

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made May 31 at 2014 7:21 PM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Sat, 31 May 2014 19:21:34 -0400

Some politico with an inside scoop needed to let the press know how important he is... Until Congress is willing to police their own and imprison these traitors in the same way they expect the military to do it to theirs for such egregious breaches, we might as well broadcast everything in the open.

Response by SFC Michael W. made May 31 at 2014 10:07 PM

SFC Michael W. — Sat, 31 May 2014 22:07:24 -0400

I agree, that's the WHOLE problem nowadays. We are providing too much info for the rest of the world to know. What the hell happened to OPSEC that we instill into our soldiers everyday? Doesn't that goes for EVERYONE so that our military forces stay safe and strong? I don't see any other country providing details on their missions...

Response by Cpl Ray Fernandez made May 31 at 2014 10:20 PM

Cpl Ray Fernandez — Sat, 31 May 2014 22:20:44 -0400

It's a mixed bag, on the one hand you need secrecy and security to protect those conducting the operation, but in a free society information leaks out over time that risks that security. Look at a few years ago after we had a successful Saudi joint mission which prevented a terrorist attack, yet those around the President gave up details that exposed the Saudi agent's role which prevented him from continuing to infiltrate Al Qaeda.

The people think they have a need to know and feel if they don't know what's going on they think the government is acting underhanded or isn't effective because they don't see or hear results.

Response by LCpl Steve Wininger made May 31 at 2014 10:25 PM

LCpl Steve Wininger — Sat, 31 May 2014 22:25:30 -0400

And they call Snowden a whistle blower? Hypocrites!!!

Response by SFC A.M. Drake made May 31 at 2014 11:01 PM

SFC A.M. Drake — Sat, 31 May 2014 23:01:59 -0400

OPSEC is definitely not being followed, by the same groups of people that design the laws. So youre telling me if I wanted to know about my enemy all I have to do is watch TV, listen to the radio/internet? Wow

Response by Sgt Randy Hill made Jun 1 at 2014 8:06 AM

Sgt Randy Hill — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 08:06:27 -0400

Sir I am happy they retrieved him. I am not happy with the fact that many SF's can write books about their experiences and get wealthy while those of us who performed classified missions in support of special forces are upholding our secrecy oath. All we need to know is that we have him back and in what condition.

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Jun 3 at 2014 9:52 AM

CPT Zachary Brooks — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 09:52:19 -0400

I found this to be an interesting follow up:

http://www.oafnation.com/guests-pieces/2014/6/2/oaf-exclusive-the-truth-about-bowe-bagdahl

OAF Exclusive: The Truth About Bowe Bergdahl

Lies were told and servicemen were lost and wounded in efforts to find a man that had no desire to be found.