After reading Some Safety Advice for the U.S. Military (an Atlantic article linked from Odds ‘n Sods in the July 22, 2011 SurvivalBlog posts), I was compelled to finish part of something that I’ve written on for some time. While Jeffrey Goldberg’s piece specifically addresses military personnel and contractors, personal OPSEC is an absolute must for civilian travel abroad as well. On that note, I would also draw attention to Survival Blog reader O.P.’s SurvivalBlog article “Emergency Prep for Travelers” from June 27, 2011.
In brief, I’ve lived and worked outside the US for the past six years in several countries in the Americas, Asia and Europe. Prior to this, I’ve also had the opportunity to travel extensively with the military and as a civilian. During this time I’ve observed quite a few instances that could have or did end in difficulties for the parties involved as a result of seemingly benign decisions. The majority of such difficulties can easily be avoided or mitigated through maintaining a solid sense of situational awareness and practicing basic OPSEC.
Know Before You Go
At face value, this might appear to be stating the obvious. But taking the time to put a fine point on the following well before purchasing a ticket is the type of common sense that has become alarmingly uncommon. In short: do the research.
Current Social/Political Climate: The US Department of State web site is a solid starting point; be fully aware of travel advisories for your area and the surrounding areas as well as the location of the nearest US embassy. Stay on top of both international and local news for your destination: what is the current threat level at and en route to your destination? Are there political/labour disputes in the area? Is a public transit strike eminent? Be aware of everything that might have bearing on your mobility and personal security prior to departure.
Medical Concerns: Consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for information regarding health concerns for every area that you’ll be traveling through. A lot of inoculations are given in series and take time to complete. Ensure that you have time to complete the appropriate courses. As you would at home, ensure that you have an ample supply of personal medication and spare glasses/contacts.
Local Info: While nothing social can be predicted with 100% certainty, do your recon and find out what recent visitors to the specific area of your destination experienced first-hand. Whenever possible, speak with people and follow up by checking relevant online sources. As with the first point, the goal is to develop the most complete picture of your intended environment prior to departure.
While a multitude of subcategories for each of these could be laid out in greater detail, this is intended as a basic starting point.
Basic Conduct
Central to personal OPSEC is being inconspicuous: you do not want to stand out from the crowd. Generally, “smart casual” clothing is the way to go while in transit, adjusted for climate, of course. Avoid military style clothing, especially during transit. While utility trousers might be your every-day apparel or perhaps appropriate for your destination and activity, they draw attention. On that note, congrats on winning your local IPSC event and completing a course at Thunder Ranch – leave the hats and T-shirts at home. The same goes for your favourite old 3rd Mar Div T-shirt. These are V-ring bullseyes for those who seek to spread hate and discontent.
The same goes for the gear or luggage that you’re carrying. Walking through customs, passport control and out of a terminal wearing overtly tactical clothing and carrying an olive drab pack covered with MOLLE webbing draws immediate attention from law enforcement as well as elements of the populace that you’d rather not be marked by. In fact, you are likely to draw as much attention from the authorities as that scruffy, spaced-out 19 year-old kid with dreadlocks. Always remember that you are a foreigner and therefore the subject of increased scrutiny.
Behaviours differ by location – watch and learn. As a specific example, I once observed a group of children throwing stones at a seemingly affable dog, making a concerted effort to drive it away. While this seemed cruel, I refrained from commenting or intervening. A bit later, a gentleman explained that rabies was a serious issue in the area and medical attention was limited at best. Given the remote location and lack of medical care, the children had been taught to avoid dogs at all costs and to drive them away immediately. Again, what initially appeared cruel was literally the response to a potential life or death situation for the locals.
Death by Misadventure
Unfortunately, the bulk of problems experienced abroad are not a result of natural or man-made disasters. Rather, they are most frequently the direct result of what might be referred to as pilot error. In the interest of avoiding digression, I will keep this simple. If one partakes of the grape or grain, do so in true moderation. As for controlled substances and vice-related activities, they are quick if not immediate vehicles for disaster. Despite their prevalence in any given environment, consider them illegal and grounds for imprisonment. While I take it for granted that this would be SOP for SurvivalBlog readers, the actions of normally savvy individuals never cease to amaze.
Avoid engaging in political or religious debates. Either is a quick way to put oneself in an extremely bad situation. At the very least, you’ve publicly identified yourself in a potentially negative light in the eyes of the locals. Do not rise to negative commentary about the US. While I am very proud of the fact that I am a US citizen and take pride in having had the privilege of serving in the military, I do not express this by engaging in defensive conversation about US politics or foreign policy. Further, I do not volunteer that I served in the US armed forces. Even if the party you are chatting with appears simpatico to your beliefs, keep your contribution to the conversation casual and know when to politely excuse yourself.
Personal Items
I’ll not go into personal carry items in depth at the moment, as this is a spiraling topic worthy of its own post. Further, the location and purpose of travel – a business trip, mission or charity work, a sport vacation – will dictate varying lists of necessities. Very briefly, I would suggest the following items and practices in addition to the standard copies of relevant documents:
- A tourist map of the area; know where you are at all times as well as the location of the US embassy or consulate as well as the most direct routes to transportation points
- A small phrase book; in the event that you aren’t fluent in the local language, the value of this item speaks for itself (pardon the pun); furthermore, it’s helpful to keep a list of often used phrases on an index card in one’s back pocket
- Good footwear; even if you are required to wear “dress” shoes, have appropriate footwear immediately accessible – no one wants to be stumbling about looking for their shoes when an alarm goes off in the middle of the night or the when the walls begin to shake
- Money; as with the standard BOB, have an appropriate amount of the local currency in appropriate denominations as well as a reserve of US dollars and credit cards on hand before you land – while one might save a few dollars on the exchange rate by using an ATM to withdraw local currency upon arrival, one might also find machines out of order, the bank/bureau de change closed or any other number of difficulties resulting in lack of funds
- Encrypt/protect all personal electronics; phone, thumb drive, laptop/iPad, etc.
A brief word on self-defence items: be extremely careful in ensuring that you are in compliance with local law, most notably in the case of knives. Speaking specifically of the UK, Ireland and France, locking blade knives of any description are illegal in an urban setting and at the discretion of any LEO you might come into contact with in any other environment. A diver with a dive knife, a fisherman or someone engaging in bushcraft away from the city is generally okay. That said, “personal protection” is not grounds for carrying any “offensive weapon” in these countries. Again, regardless of what is posted on various forums or in purposefully ambiguous legal documents, regardless of length of blade or make of knife, carry in public is not permitted. In addition to researching this very thoroughly, I further base this on personal conversation with LEOs in each of these countries. Bear this in mind and make decisions accordingly.
Final Words
With all of this in mind, be polite if not friendly. It’s important to note that – contrary to what the mass media would propagate – people of other nations generally do not hate Americans. I have personally found this to be the case world-wide. Dress casual and be casual. Maintain accurate situational awareness at all times. Make it a point to be a gracious, nondescript guest in foreign lands and look out for your fellow travelers.
Best wishes and safe travels!