Signalman 1 & C - Historic Naval Ships Association

CHAPTER 11SECURITYAs a Signalman, you will hear a great deal aboutthe security of classified material. You will haveaccess to and will use classified information every day.For that reason, all activities brief newly arrivedSignalmen in security and require them to sign astatement attesting that they have received the briefingand understand the contents. Furthermore, as part ofeach command's security program, you will berequired to read and indicate your understanding ofseveral of the most important national laws andregulations related to security.Maintaining the security of classified material,however, requires more than a briefing, a regulation,or a law. Security will only be as effective as you makeit. There is no one to whom you can transfer yourresponsibility for protecting this information.Security, along with operating signaling equipment, isa basic part of your duties. You must be securityconscious to the point that you automatically exerciseproper discretion in the discharge of your duties, anddo not think of security as something separate andapart from other matters. In this way, security ofclassified information becomes a natural element ofevery task, and not an additionally imposed burden.PURPOSE OF SECURITY PROGRAMLEARNING OBJECTIVES: Explain thepurpose of the security program. Definecommand management, security education,and security principles.The security program deals basically with thesafeguarding of information that should not beallowed to fall into the hands of foreign governments,foreign nationals, or other unauthorized persons. Thedanger being that such information might be used tothe detriment of the United States.Information may be compromised throughcareless talk, improper handling of classified material,and in various other ways. Some of the ways in whichmilitary personnel may accidentally give away vitalinformation are discussed in Basic MilitaryRequirements, NAVEDTRA 12043.COMMAND MANAGEMENTCommanding officers are responsible for effectivemanagement of the Information and PersonnelSecurity Program within their command. Commandsecurity management discussion includes thefollowing action areas:Designating a security managerDesignating a Top Secret control officer (TSCO)if Top Secret material is handled by thecommandDesignating an ADP security officer if thecommand processes data or prepares documentsin an automated systemDesignating a security officerPreparing written command security proceduresand an emergency destruction plan for theprotection of classified materialReviewing and inspecting the effectiveness ofthe program in subordinate commandsCommand Security ManagerEvery command in the Navy and Marine Corpseligible to receive classified information is required todesignate a security manager in writing. The securitymanager will be afforded direct access to thecommanding officer to ensure effective managementof the command’s security program.The security manager may be employed full-time,part-time, or as a collateral duty, but he/she must bean officer or a civilian employee GS- 11 or above. Thesecurity manager must be a U.S. citizen and have afavorably completed background investigation (BI).The security manager is the main advisor oninformation and personnel security in the commandand is responsible to the commanding officer for themanagement of the program.The security manager, for effective managementof the program, should do the following:Develop written command information andpersonnel security procedures, including an emergencydestruction plan.11-1