Did you know ... the 1972 Munich Olympics, the 1983 bombing of a Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia and the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole off the coast of Yemen are still engrained in the military minds as acts of extreme terrorism that killed United States servicemembers and their allies.

And, lest you think terrorism only happens overseas, remember the 1996 World Trade Center bombing, the 2001 WTC and Pentagon attacks and one that happened just up the road -- the 1995 Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City.

These recollections probably include vague images of hooded fanatics and wanton destruction. You may think of terrorism as the similar element in each case. And, to some, there may seem inevitability to it all. Is there any truth to that impression'

Reading reports after the event may lead some to believe these types of terrorist attacks are inescapable. With the understandably greater coverage of successful terrorist attacks, it may seem a reasonable assumption.

But further investigation proves a reminder that there were other prospective attacks that were foiled and perhaps many others that were deterred. Reports of these events are often difficult to find. Maybe these foiled attempts represent our most important lessons. The Army believes that is the case.

We can build protection from terrorist attacks just as we defend against any enemy. The Army calls it antiterrorism awareness. Awareness is the sense that we are neither incapable of preventing a terrorist attack nor restricted from doing so. We possess the means of our own protection. A prospective terrorist attack at Fort Dix, N.J. in 2007 provides an excellent model to start. An alert employee at a video store noticed something unusual when would-be terrorists turned in a camera memory card. The employee alerted the FBI.

We know from studying past actions that terrorists success depends upon a careful reconnaissance before implementation. In some cases we know they have visited a site many times before they decided to attack. They offer clues in their actions. By developing a sense of those characteristics, we can prevent potential attacks.

Nobody is truly low-risk from harm.

Easy things, like protecting personal information and occasionally changing usual routines like routes to school or work can go a long way. Avoiding attention grabbing clothes or actions will also help avoid terrorist attention.

Army policy indicates that all Soldiers and civilians will take a Web-based course to teach effective actions to reduce profiles. It is also mandatory for family members going overseas and certainly available for families in the U.S. as well.

The second part of the equation is finding terrorists before they strike. We know they look before they act. Past history indicates they do very little without checking out the target first.

What might you expect from a terrorist planning an attack' Most people recall the "shoe bomber" on an airplane shortly after 9/11. An alert flight attendant recognized that the potential terrorist was doing something out of the ordinary by trying to light his shoes on fire. Sometimes, it may include taking notes while apparently studying restricted areas; maybe the potential terrorist will take pictures of gates or other access points, or may simply loiter in odd places. Maybe they simply ask odd questions about people or security procedures. Potential terrorists often shy from the approach of security personnel and avoid questions about their purpose. They may become nervous and exit in what might seem common enough situations. The Army does not encourage paranoia here, moreover we all benefit from an aware community.

If you do become suspicious you should make a mental note of what you have seen and report it to the nearest security person. You can call into the Fort Sill law enforcement desk at 442-2103.

It is important to realize that you represent the best defense against terrorism. Look around as you go about your daily business. You will gradually recognize the standard ways people act. Look for the difference.

By including personal protective measures in our daily routine we defend. And, by actively looking, we become offensive in preventing attacks on Army communities. These measures provide protection for Army communities as a whole but also help in defending the country. We can all be sensors. We are Army Strong, and we are strongest when we depend upon each other.-