Why is it we are told to not post/advertise troop movements or deployments for OPSEC reasons, yet you can read about it in the news?

I like a news briefing that President Reagan had after US Troops went into Grenada. On member of the press was upset as they didn't know about it until it was over. He then said to the President " In WWII the War correspondent were right on the front lines" President Reagan then looked right at Him and said, "Yes, but then they were on our side!" The guy was speechless. ! I laughed so hard and though that was one of the best responses I've ever heard. President Reagan was sure right to the point !

Many deployments are deliberately made public for strategic reasons. Others are not. But you don't want individual soldiers publicizing things when they don't really know what is and isn't being kept close hold. Another important factor is so that it isn't obvious to anyone reading your FB page (and that could likely be anyone) that you are away from home and your family is potentially more vulnerable. Just like you wouldn't want to post on FB that you will be gone on a family vacation for two weeks. It's amazing how easy it is to find out home addresses, etc just starting with a name and a city. So the less personal stuff put on FB, the better.

There better than 50/50 chance that info that is released to the media through official channels contains some nearly accurate then goes to provided additional information that is less than accurate. That is intentional. However, anyone of that may be privy to some sensitive information could leak classified information unintentionally. I worked S-2 in Korea at Battalion level and saw a lot of how this psy-ops works and it is a delicate balancing act. I still remember the saying that was on the wall in my office in S-2. Most of you probably remember is as well: "Loose lips sink ships." For just those reasons and many more that I am sure every military person is able devine on their own. I think that security is a very slippery slope, many times classified information slips out unknowingly so better to just STFU.