New guide assists families with personal security

HEIDELBERG, Germany — A newly updated “Self-Help Guide to Antiterrorism,” created by the Defense Department’s Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is now available to U.S. forces members in Europe.

“This guide is designed to assist in making you and your family less vulnerable to terrorists,” says Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in his foreword to the guide. 

The self-help handbook, released this month, is filled with information and tips designed to help individuals and families increase their general level of personal security and build good habits for antiterrorism prevention on the road and at home.

Soldiers and civilian employees may recognize much of the content from required antiterrorism training, the guide’s authors say, but the book aims to build on that training and serve as a “one-stop location” for antiterrorism information.

The guide also includes information specific to family members, an audience that doesn’t receive routine antiterrorism training, and forms that can be filled in with customized information and kept at hand to provide ready, customized information that could help in the event of a terrorist incident.

“Use of this guide and these proven security habits will not ensure immunity from terrorist attacks, but should reduce the possibility of becoming a target,” Admiral Mullen said. “Your overall awareness will not only help you to protect your family, but will also increase the security of all members of the military family.”

To download a copy of the guide and access other antiterrorism resources, visit the U.S. Army Europe “vigilance” Web page at www.hqusareur.army.mil/vigilance/default.htm.