Don't create panic

As some of you may already know a soldier was arrested in Killeen, TX this morning. There have been so many rumors flying! Here is an article about Pvt. Nasser Jason Abdo. Google it, you'll find quite a few more articles. Just make sure it's news and not opinion.

My understanding of the situation is he was arrested originally for being AWOL and child pornography. He was found with items that were suspicious and later today might face charges for possession of bomb making paraphernalia.The main and most important thing is this: There was NO incident ON Fort Hood. There was never an attack. It was someones plan. But they GOT him. This from Ft Hood.

First let me say, this is NOT to defend him. I think he needs to be at the very least prosecuted to the full extent of the law. I will keep deeper personal feelings to myself. Well I have to say this: When you enlist in the army don't you enlist KNOWING you are probably going to deploy to a war zone?

The main point of why I am writing is that I was ashamed of what I was seeing posted on Facebook. One person, an army wife with more years experience than I have, was posting panic on her wall. She ended her update with "please pray for me."

I wanted to lash out at her personally. I can be rather harsh so I chose not to. I was so upset with this call to panic that I did unfriend her. I believe that if there is news, REAL news, it is okay to repost. Not news from some off the wall place but impartial mainstream news. Never should anyone make something it is not. I expect that from all people. More from an Army wife.

I question everything I read or hear. I search it out. I think inciting panic because you jump to conclusions is shameful. If you don't know what's going on, ask first. I've done that. IE: the fires on Ft Hood recently. That was another rumor mill. I went back and commented to my question that the fires weren't bad and were under control. Not 'OMG, they're coming this way!'

OPSEC/PERSEC is drilled into us by many directions. FRG discusses not spreading rumors but to find a reliable source to get the correct information. I believe that needs to be drilled just as hard as OPSEC/PERSEC.

Yes, sometimes things happen that are scary or make our stomachs wrench. But that is no excuse for spreading rumors and inciting panic. Think before you post about these things.

I am not talking about personal feelings on things. We all have those with a great deal of variances. That's what makes us unique. But those should only be about ourselves and never to start a rumor about someone or someplace else. 

The life of a military spouse is stressful enough. It does not need to be made more stressful from unnecessary rumors.