THIS is why OPSEC/PERSEC are SO important
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Authorities are warning military families about a cruel hoax. The Oklahoma National Guard was notified about an alleged incident involving two people acting as military personnel.
They allegedly told a metro woman her husband had been killed in combat.
The National Guard tells us Tinker Air Force Base alerted them to the alleged incident.
Officials report the two people showed up at her home in Oklahoma City and wanted her to sign a few papers.
The woman contacted military officials and found out her husband was fine.
The Oklahoma National Guard is now warning all military personnel.
The woman contacted military officials and found out her husband was fine.
The Oklahoma National Guard is now warning all military personnel.
It has posted a warning on Facebook.
It says in part:
"Notification of death or serious injury will always be made by a member of the same branch of the U.S. Armed Forces as the service member. Notification officers will always be in a dress uniform and never in any type of field (camouflage) uniform. Notification officers will always present paperwork with information about the service member to include full name, date of birth, social security number and the names of family members that should be notified of the injury or death. If the family of a deployed service member believes they are the intended victim or victims of a hoax involving individuals claiming to be members of the U.S. Armed Forces, they should call the Oklahoma National Guard at (405) 228-5000 and report the incident."
It says in part:
"Notification of death or serious injury will always be made by a member of the same branch of the U.S. Armed Forces as the service member. Notification officers will always be in a dress uniform and never in any type of field (camouflage) uniform. Notification officers will always present paperwork with information about the service member to include full name, date of birth, social security number and the names of family members that should be notified of the injury or death. If the family of a deployed service member believes they are the intended victim or victims of a hoax involving individuals claiming to be members of the U.S. Armed Forces, they should call the Oklahoma National Guard at (405) 228-5000 and report the incident."
And this isn't the first time this has happened. The other story I know of firsthand didn't end as well though. The woman was beaten and raped in her own home by people posing as military members notifying a spouse of her husband's death. Public displays of support are fine, but public displays of being alone in your home and everyday life are not. All it takes is someone noticing a "Half my heart is in Afghanistan" sticker on the back of your car.
Be safe. Be smart. Pass this story along.
Wow! I refuse to have any sticker on my car or at my home. It's awful that things like this continue to happen.
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