Marine Moms and Dads: Does www.MarineParents.com Compromise Security?

I am often asked by well-meaning and concerned folks why I developed this web site, as it appears to them that it compromises the security of our troops. I'm delighted to be given the opportunity to define the sources for the content for www.MarineParents.com.

In January of 2003 I was starving for information about my Marine son's upcoming deployment to Kuwait and eventually Iraq. I learned that because of the "Privacy of Information Act", Marine parents didn't have access to an information source through the Marine Corps. I knew other parents would have the same questions I had, so as I researched information, I began developing this web site to share my newly acquired knowledge. It started out small and by mid-February 2003 it had blossomed into a thriving interface for answers and support.

With the help of hundreds of Marine parents and family members providing research and contributions to the web site, we've accomplished what would seem to be an impossible task in a very short amount of time. The web site received over 12,000 visitors a day during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Those numbers are down to about 6000 now. The quality and content of the web site offers information, comfort and assistance to thousands of Marine parents as well as spouses, family and friends of our Marines.

The content of the web site is information that is available to the public. I sort it, organize it, and display it in one location for easy access. I label unofficial information so there can be no confusion as to its origin, whether it be from Marines, family or friends, journalists, or military officials. Web sites and links belonging to the Military, Marine Corps and Department of Defense (DoD) are clearly labeled. Much of the information on the web site is from news stories and letters to home from Marines in country. I certainly can't verify a journalist's report nor do I verify content of a letter to home, though I do clearly label all sources.

Beyond the letters and news stories, the vast majority of the remaining information is a resource of information and links to support parents, spouses, and families. I show folks how to find phone numbers, how to locate their Marine's address, what to ship in care packages, how to search for news stories and photos, and much more. It's a helpful research tool, much like a library. It is not a dissemination of unauthorized information. I certainly don't have access to non-public information from the Marine Corps or the Department of Defense (DoD), or any other branch of the military.

Let me clarify that not all content that is contributed to the web site is posted. In February of 2003 several Marine Corps offices, including MCCS (Marine Corps Community Services) in Quantico, Virginia as well as many of the USMC public affairs offices around the United States, contacted me and gave me guidelines for what they would like me to refrain from publishing on the web site. I am certainly free to publish whatever information I want, however, I chose to abide by the request of the Marine Corps with the intent of being a support to the Marine Corps offices.

We are a reliable and supportive addition to the Marine Corps' reference tools. Many Marine Corps offices now provide the web site address to parents, spouses, family members and friends. In June of 2003 I was nominated for the Bob Hope Spirit of Hope award by the USMC MCCS office in Quantico, Virginia for my volunteer work to visualize, develop and maintain the web site. Many USMC and military web sites now link to www.MarineParents.com. Clearly, even in the opinion of the USMC and other military offices, the web site is supporting their efforts.

For more information, please read the articles and information available in our press kit; you'll find a link to the "Press Kit" on the left side of this page. If you have additional questions or concerns about security issues, please feel free to contact me using the "Contact Us" page. Thank you.

Tracy Della Vecchia ~ Marine Mom
www.MarineParents.com & www.MarineDads.us