Anti-Terrorism Awareness Month

If there’s anything I’ve learned about the Georgia Guard in the last several months, it’s that we are deeply dedicated to the National Guard ideal of “Always Ready, Always There.” We have to be, because that dedication demands a great deal from us: Training, education, practice, planning, and constant improvement.

This month, we’re focusing on a particular kind of preparedness: Antiterrorism Awareness. Antiterrorism requires the same education, planning, and practice as our other missions. And certainly the recent shootings in Colorado and Wisconsin are stark reminders that not only are we potential targets for violent acts, our families and friends are as well.

In a recent discussion on this subject, the provost marshal general of the U.S. Army, Maj. Gen. David Quantock, said, “Antiterrorism is about people saying something.” We’ve seen time and again that the simple act of reporting something out of the ordinary can make the difference in preventing an attack. Not only do we need to keep in our military culture the impulse to say something, to report things out of the ordinary --- we need to encourage this with our families and friends as well.

Every member of the Georgia National Guard community plays an important role in preventing terrorist attacks. By embedding Antiterrorism principles and concepts throughout our plans and programs we protect the Guard community from terrorists. By understanding the indicators of terrorist activities and reporting suspicious behavior to iWatch and local law enforcement, our Guard community members serve as “sensors” that enhance and extend the Guard protective posture. 

This month, I’d like you to take the time not just to exercise your Antiterrorism plans, but to carefully consider them. Look for ways to improve them. Think them through. Your building may have an emergency evacuation plan, but does your office? Have you decided who leaves last, and who checks that everyone is out? Have you conducted a rehearsal, and discussed contingencies?

Let’s do the same with our families. None of us want our loved ones to feel like they have to check every corner when they walk into a public place. But perhaps it would be a good thing if they get into the habit of noticing emergency exits. This is even more important when in unfamiliar places, for example on vacation. Making a habit of this keeps us vigilant.

Vigilance is the key. We must ingrain this into our culture by encouraging our peers, testing our subordinates, and encouraging our families not so much to fret as to be prepared. Let’s all work together to see to it that the Georgia Guard Family remains Always Ready, Always Vigilant.

Maj. Gen. Jim Butterworth

The Adjutant General of Georgia