Why Personal Security is Important to You

There is a real problem in the Army and has been for years. Soldiers tend to get sticky fingers when no one is looking. If you just came out of basic and have not yet learned this, then pay close attention as I am telling you now. Although the army is built on trust and they will try to beat this message into your head, this is not always the case.

Everyone works on a community watch system. That means people know how the general group feels about stealing and will play along when others are around. Let’s say you leave your iPod at work, and you take off for lunch. There are three others that stay back. One of them notices the iPod and asks the other two if they know who it belongs to. Now that the group app knows that there is an unsecured iPod, then most likely, it will remain safe as long as there remain at least two of the three people in that room. If two of them leave and do not return for much later in the day leaving the iPod with the last person then the safety falls solely on the personal morals and beliefs of that one person without any outside influence. Your iPod is now completely vulnerable to theft. If this person has poor values and decides to steal this iPod then, he may very well get away with it. These types of people understand that society does not like thirds and therefore, can hide this from everyone.

So… How do you protect your stuff from these types of people if you don’t know who they are?

Simply do not trust anyone. Always secure your personal belongings or military issued equipment. This does not mean you can not leave it with someone to watch it, but be sure to specify one person so that if it comes up missing you have someone to hold accountable. If it is military equipment, the. Be sure to have them sign for it using a standard DA Form 2062. This will protect you if the individual watching your equipment loses it.

Some tips to personal security:

Take pictures of your high-value items including pictures of the model and serial numbers.

Insure your items with your property insurance.

Inventory your high-value items and even save the receipts.

Use a DA Form 2062 hand receipt for military equipment.

Lock your stuff up, even in your barracks room.

Do not leave gear in your vehicle unsecured.

Do not leave backpacks or rucks laying around unsecured and ensure your name is sewn on.

Label your stuff. One thing I like to do on my high-value items is open up the device like a computer or iPod and write my name inside where most people will not look. This way, if I suspect someone stole my iPod and is now using it right in front of me thinking I can not prove it is mine, then I just ask to see it and pop open then back to check for my name.