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What PED could cost Airmen

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Timothy Boyer
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  An Airman's cell phone vibrates. It's a text from a friend. She types a quick "I'm at work right now" text, not realizing the enemy could be using that text against her.

Don't be the Airman who sacrifices security for convenience. It may mean waiting to check text messages, but ultimately it is everyones' job to follow the personal electronic device (PED) policy to protect information. Plus, the cost of sending that text could have a major impact on an Airman's career.

"Potential penalties for violation of the PED policy depends on the circumstances surrounding the violation," said Capt. Jody-Ann Gilzene, 380th Air Expeditionary Wing deputy staff judge advocate. "For example, whether or not the action is intentional, repeated and involves the actual breach of classified materials may impact the potential course of action. Ultimately, the commander or supervisor, after consulting with the legal office, will determine the best course of action."

The penalties for military members may include a verbal counseling, Letter of Counseling, Letter of Admonishment, Letter of Reprimand, Unfavorable Information File, Article 15 or court-martial action under the Uniformed Code of Military Justice, according to Gilzene. For civilian employees action may include an LOC, LOA, LOR, suspension without pay for up to 14 days, termination of employment and civilian criminal prosecution.

"Adverse actions can seriously impact, or even end, a person's career," Gilzene explained. "For military members, an accumulation of negative paperwork can lead to referral performance reports, denial of testing for promotion, denial of re-enlistment, promotion deferral, administrative discharge and possible punitive separation or jail time at a court martial."

Gilzene said that if Airmen are already at work and realize they have an unauthorized PED with them, they should immediately remove the PED from their work area and return it to their living quarters, vehicle or an authorized location outside of the workcenter. If it was exposed to a classified area, they should immediately notify their immediate supervisor, unit security manager and the Wing Information Assurance officer.

"Everyone should be vigilant in ensuring that only those with the appropriate need to know are able to access sensitive information," Gilzene said. "If there are any concerns that the PED policy was violated, either intentionally or unintentionally, the matter should be reported to the appropriate personnel."

Regardless of an Airman's job on a day-to-day basis, knowing and following the PED policy and protecting information is one important way to actively serve the country.