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Military Families
noah-bear
member
Do you consider this a no-no?
noah-bear
member
There's a house on one of our main streets that has huge signs and decorations saying "welcome home __" and gives his deployment dates and all that.
They also put up a sign when someone there had a baby. The name, date of birth, time and weight and length info.
I give that house a side-eye. Our cyt is known for strong differences of opinions on everything, especially the military involvement in Aftanistan and Iraq.
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Re: Do you consider this a no-no?
I don't think it's bad if it says welcome home and it's just put up the day he gets home or something, but I don't understand why you'd put a date on it at all I guess.
I also don't think it's a huge deal to put up a congratulations stork or whatever when you have a baby. I won't be doing it, but I could see my mom tying pink or blue balloons somewhere outside the house as a welcome home.
Yes, it's a no no. If the welcome home sign has dates on it, it's an OPSEC violation.
The baby sign would be a no go for me. Why would you advertise to ever coo coo baby thief out there that you have a brand new baby. Nearly every time you hear of someone kidnapping a baby, it was from a home that had a welcome home baby sign in the yard. Most law enforcement agencies and many hospitals will recomend that you not put a sign in your yard.
Yeah the sign with dates on it is a violation. To me that's just overkill. When DH came home, we put regular Welcome Home signs that we made on our front door and decorated the driveway. They may as well put his social on it too. lol
As for the baby sign, I don't see a problem with a Congrats sign or whatnot, but don't leave it up for a month. KWIM? Maybe these people are exhibitionists. lol
Sorry, I usually just lurk..
But this subject is too important to me to pass up.
1. opsec- the obvious risk.
2. Babies being stolen DOES happen- it is a real threat. My DH's step-mom is head of infant security at a hospital. Her whole entire job is to prevent this from happening. Avoid any signs at your hourse, any baby-on-board stickers, etc. Be weary of who you meet while pregnant or with an infant, especially if they seem incredibly keen on baby info. I try not to be paranoid, but from her stories- I wouldn't trust someone just because they are "pregnant" as well.. also, pay close attention and really mind your hospital's policies that are in place. I know it sounds like overkill to question every new mom or pregnant friend you meet- but the thought of these crimes makes me shudder.
If you are close enough to the family whose house is putting up signs, you may want to casually bring this up with them, in a non-accusatory way if possible. They are not only putting their soldier's entire unit at risk, but their baby's security.
I can't see why anyone would put dates up to begin with? Just say Welcome Home.
If the dates are past, is it still opsec violation?
As for the stork - I think it's kind of cute. I wouldn't put every detail up but maybe just an, it's a boy/girl sign.
It depends on how specific the dates are and when the sign was put up. If the PAO has released the information, it's not a violation of OPSEC.
I always get a little nervous when I see balloons or signs welcoming a baby home and I put the blame squarely on Lifetime Television.
My roomate put up a big welcome home baby when I came home with BD from the hospital. She didn't know it was a no-no so I didn't say anyting. MH just went out and took it down.
When he came home from Iraq we just hung big signs on the house, but I didn't hang them until I was leaving - AND - I live in base housing.
I will say that when a unit is returning they decorate up and down the main streets for a couple miles. There are huge banners, people come out of their homes to wave to the busses. It makes me worry - and love America a little more all at the same time.