Getting into the habit: 100 percent shred policy begins March 17

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Eydie Sakura
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  It may take some getting used to; in fact, it will take a conscious effort to remember to shred all of the office paperwork. 

Beginning March 17, every Airman, civilian and contractor on base is responsible for destroying paper they create or use in their workspaces when they no longer need it. 

"[The 100 percent shred policy] needs to become as habitual at home, work or at play, as buckling a seatbelt or locking your doors at night," said Conn McKelvey, 341st Operation Support Squadron wing OPSEC program manager. "Thieves and our adversaries will always pick the low hanging fruit, so if our critical and personal information is easy to get, they will take it!" 

The 100 percent shred policy requires a 3/8 inch crosscut shredder or better. People who do not have a shredder in their work center should work with their unit's OPSEC coordinator and resource advisor to find or procure one, Mr. McKelvey suggested. 

The base also has a central destruction facility to eliminate large amounts of For Official Use Only documents and materials. It is located at building 411 and it is open to anyone on base, but training on the equipment is mandatory before use. 

"Shredding is vital to the overall security of our base and our mission," said Eileen Gallagher, 341st Communications Squadron Base Records Manager. "There is way too much identity theft and sensitive materials that people can get their hands on. I am available to train anyone who is interested in using the central destruction facility equipment; they just need to call and set-up an appointment."

Mr. McKelvey said the repercussions for not shredding are far ranging. 

"They could be severe for our country, for example, giving our adversaries enough information about how Team Malmstrom does its job, to include convoy routes, security procedures, to successfully derail our operations," he said. "They could be severe for an individual that could lead to identity theft, such as names, social security numbers and bank card information." 

Units, commanders and individuals could also be written up during short sprint exercises or operational readiness inspections for failure to protect critical information, Mr. McKelvey said. 

The 100 percent shred policy was codified in AFI 10-701_AFSPCSUP_1, paragraph 1.4.18.2. For more information on OPSEC measures, call Mr. McKelvey at 731-6029, or for details and to set up training on the base's central destruction facility equipment, call Ms. Gallagher at 731-2266.