OPSEC in Military Logistics: What’s the Risk?
Patrick J. Geary, OCP
The haft of the arrow had been feathered with one of the eagle’s own plumes. Sometimes we supply our enemies with the means of our own destruction. -Aesop 6th Century BC2
In this example, 6th century philosopher Aesop was commenting on how a hunter succeeded in killing his prey – an eagle. After observing eagles for an extended period, the hunter learned eagles occasionally shed their plumes or feathers. The hunter had also discovered those plumes made an excellent addition to his arsenal of arrows. When the eagle carried out his normal function of shedding a plume, the hunter picked it up and fashioned it into one of his arrows, then used it to kill the very same eagle.
Whether Aesop actually saw this event occur is not known. But his fable illustrates how seemingly innocuous actions can lead to one’s demise. As we continue our military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq as part of our efforts to protect our homeland in the War on Terrorism, it is important to remember the key role of logistics support. Just as the eagle provided the means of his own destruction, so too could seemingly innocuous activities in logistics provide the means of our own elimination.
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