FIELD SURVEY PHASE
As noted above, data collection begins in the planning phase with a review of documentation associated with
the operation to be surveyed. During the field survey phase, interviews with personnel directly involved in the
subject operation, together with observations and document collection, are the primary means of data collection.
The following actions are normally accomplished during the field survey phase:
OPSEC survey team entrance briefing.
Command briefing on operation to be surveyed.
Data collection and functional outline refinement.
OPSEC survey exit briefing.
OPSEC SURVEY ENTRANCE BRIEFING. This briefing lays the groundwork for effective functioning of
the survey team during the field survey phase. It is presented by the survey team chief to the commander and
principal staff officers of the organization exercising Primary command and control over the activities to be
surveyed. The purpose and scope of the OPSEC survey should be covered in some detail. The briefing should
also emphasize that the survey is not an inspection, but an effort to enhance the ultimate effectiveness of the
operation. The briefing may be either a formal presentation or an informal discussion. The objective is to
inform the commander and his staff of what the survey will attempt to do and how it will be conducted. The
briefings should include a summary of the hostile threat/vulnerability assessment developed during the planning
phase. The staff should be asked to comment on the validity of this assessment. Results of previous OPSEC
surveys of similar activities may be summarized if deemed appropriate. It may be necessary to repeat the
briefing to key subordinates, or when the survey is conducted in a joint or combined operation with two or more
headquarters participating.
THE COMMAND BRIEFING. This briefing is presented to the OPSEC survey team by the command
directing the forces involved in the operation being surveyed. The purpose of the briefing is to provide the
survey team with an overview of the operation from the command's point of view. If feasible, an informal tour
of the command and control center should be included in this briefing. Any difference between the information
presented in this briefing and the information determined in the planning phase should be clarified by the team
members.
FUNCTIONAL OUTLINE REFINEMENT
DATA COLLECTION. During the field survey phase, data is collected through observation of activities,
document collection, and personnel interviews. Data may also be acquired through concurrently occurring
empirical studies such as SIGSEC monitoring. Each team member must be alert to differences between what he
has read, what he was told in the command briefing, and what he observes and is told by personnel participating
in the operation. Conflicting data should be expected. Team members must determine which information is
correct.
Observation will verify the occurrence, sequence, and exact timing of events. Interviews establish additional
elements of information essential to complete understanding. Functional outlines should be reviewed before
and after interviews to ensure that all pertinent points are covered. Specific information on how, when, and
where people accomplish their tasks, and how these relate to the planned and observed sequence of events, is
recorded in order to document activities in a logical sequence. Cooperation of the interviewees can be
encouraged by assuring them that the team observes confidentiality regarding the sources of its information.
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