MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- A security clearance is a privilege, not a right.

When Team McConnell members accept the privilege of access to classified information, they are also accepting the responsibilities that accompany
this privilege. One of the first and most important responsibilities
is proper training and an understanding of how to properly protect classified information.

According to Air Force Instruction 31-401 Information
Security Program Management, "All Air Force personnel need information security training whether they have access to classified information or not." It further states: "All Air Force personnel are individually responsible for protecting the national interests of the United States."

These statements apply to active-duty, Guard, and Reserve members and Department of Defense civilians - at all levels.

Operations security, communications security, and information security, as well as other security disciplines, are vital to Air Force mission success, the defense of the nation and its allies.

OPSEC, COMSEC and INFOSEC became an Air Mobility Command special interest item this year, AMC SII 06-01, and McConnell will be evaluated on these disciplines during our up-coming Unit Compliance Inspection.
In studying the history of intelligence gathering activities against the United States, one thing becomes very clear. When adversaries or competitors are successful in obtaining classified or other sensitive information, it is usually due to negligence, willful disregard for security or betrayal of trust by U.S. government personnel. A security violation or infraction is any breach of security regulations, requirements,
procedures or guidelines - whether or not a compromise results.No matter how minor, all security infractions must be reported immediately to your unit security manager and to security forces so that the incident may be evaluated and appropriate actions taken.

This year alone McConnell has seen nearly a two-fold increase from the six reported incidents in 2005. Multiple reasons for failing to safeguard classified information were given during the initial inquiries. Statements received from individuals
included:

 "I was never trained on handling/safeguarding
classified information."

 "I was unaware of the procedures."

 "I must have been in a rush and mistakenly threw it in the recycling bin."

 "I didn't think it was a big deal leaving classified
unsecured - even after being informed of the procedures."

Thankfully, no classified material was compromised during these security incidents. However, the significance of a security violation does not depend
solely upon whether information is actually compromised. It also depends upon the intentions and attitudes of the individual who committed the violation.

Failure to report a security violation is itself a security violation and may be a very serious concern. People who hold a security clearance are the first line of defense against espionage and loss of sensitive information. If they fulfill their responsibilities,
they have the power to protect America's national security and economic interests.

Everyone who has a security clearance signs a nondisclosure agreement between them and the U.S. Government agreeing to comply with procedures
for safeguarding classified information and acknowledging legal sanctions for violating the agreement.

Unit security managers are in the process of contacting personnel to update security-related items such as: Information security training, NATO training, Nondisclosure Agreements, attestations, periodic reinvestigations and so on. Please support unit safety managers in their efforts regarding this very important additional-duty assignment.

All of us have a role and responsibility to safeguard
and defend the United States of America. Safeguarding classified and sensitive information is everyone's responsibility.