FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FORT MEADE, Md.– Lt. Gen. Anthony R. Hale, the Army’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence (G-2), has issued a critical warning to the entire U.S. Army regarding the persistent and evolving threat posed by foreign intelligence entities targeting Soldiers, Civilians, and their Families.
Hale’s email, titled “Message to the Force – Protecting the Force against Foreign Intel Threats,” was sent to over 1.1 million Soldiers and Civilians, underscoring the widespread nature of the threat and emphasizing the importance of vigilance and proactive measures to protect sensitive information and national security.
Hale, the Army’s top intel officer, highlighted the tactics employed by foreign adversaries, including posing as recruiters, consulting firms, and think tanks to exploit past and current Army personnel online. He warned that adversaries are particularly active during times of financial uncertainty, such as the recent government shutdown, targeting individuals who may be seeking new employment opportunities or expressing dissatisfaction.
“Maintaining our advantage requires constant vigilance and a commitment to protecting our information and our people,” Hale stated. He reminded security clearance holders of their legal obligation to safeguard classified information, even after leaving government service, and urged all Soldiers and Civilians to comply with secondary employment policies.
The message also referenced the case of former Army Soldier Korbein Schultz, who was sentenced to 84 months in prison for betraying his oath, as a stark reminder of the consequences of engaging with foreign intelligence entities.
Army Counterintelligence Command, under the leadership of Brig. Gen. Sean F. Stinchon, is actively working to identify and counter these threats. Stinchon emphasized the importance of reporting suspicious activity and reiterated the Army’s commitment to protecting its people and information.
“This threat from foreign intelligence entities is real, persistent, and evolving,” said Stinchon. “Army Counterintelligence Command is working tirelessly to identify and neutralize these threats and impose cost on our adversaries, but we need every member of the Army team to remain vigilant and proactive in protecting themselves and their information. Report approaches like these to an Army counterintelligence special agent, and together we can safeguard our Army and our nation.”
As Hale prepares to retire, his successor, Maj. Gen. Michelle Schmidt, will be promoted to lieutenant general on December 8 and assume the position of Deputy Chief of Staff, G-2.
For more information or to report suspicious activity, visit www.usainscom.army.mil/iSALUTE or call 1-800-CALL-SPY (1-800-225-5779).
Army Counterintelligence Command conducts worldwide counterintelligence activities to detect, identify, neutralize, and exploit foreign intelligence entities, international terrorists, insider threats, and other foreign adversaries to protect the U.S. Army and the Department of War.
G2 Message to the Force- Protecting the Force against Foreign Intel Threats
Army Team,
I wrote to you last year alerting you that our adversaries are targeting and exploiting information from Army Soldiers, Civilians, and our Families. The threat remains persistent, and their tactics continue to evolve. Maintaining our advantage requires constant vigilance and a commitment to protecting our information and our people.
Foreign intelligence entities are online, posing as consulting firms, corporate recruiters, think tanks, and other seemingly legitimate companies. Especially in the context of the recent lapse in appropriations and government shutdown, our adversaries are looking online to identify individuals seeking new employment opportunities, expressing dissatisfaction or describing financial insecurity. They offer jobs or "easy" money to write white papers or provide information with the intent to collect sensitive information for the benefit of their country at the cost of our own.
Current and former federal employees must be aware of these approaches and understand the potential consequences of engaging. If the offer seems flattering, urgent, exclusive, or too good to be true, it probably is. Consider the arrest and prosecution of former Army Soldier Korbein Schultz, sentenced to 84 months in prison - swift and real consequences for betraying your oath.
U.S. security clearance holders are reminded of your legal obligation to protect classified data even after departing U.S. Government service. All Soldiers and Army Civilians must comply with unit secondary employment policies. Any compensation received from sources outside the U.S. Government must be reported to your supervisor.
If you or someone you know is being targeted, report it to your local counterintelligence office or via www.usainscom.army.mil/iSALUTE or 1-800-CALL-SPY (1-800-225-5779) within 24 hours of learning of the incident.
Army Counterintelligence is actively identifying the depth and breadth of this online activity to counter the threat and protect the Army team. We are counting on each of you to do your part. Inaction puts national security and your teammates at risk.
This We'll Defend!
"Lethality Starts with Intel - Always Engaged and On Mission."
v/r
ZA#48
Anthony R. Hale
Lieutenant General, USA
Deputy Chief of Staff, G-2
Message to the Force - Protecting the Force against Foreign Intel Threats.pdf [PDF - 237.5 KB]
Social Sharing