CHAPTER 8
SECURITY REQUIREMENTS
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this chapter, you should be able to do the following:
1. List the different types of terrorism methods.
3. Explain various types of safeguards against
terrorism.
2. List the six categories of terrorist threats.
Terrorism is the use of tactics by small
groups to create overwhelming fear, panic, or
terror through the use of deadly force. Acts
of terrorism are usually directed against specific
or general targets in the general population
and government. Generally, the goal of terroristic
acts is to disrupt or destroy the bonds of trust
and credibility between a government and its
people. Sometimes the goals are to discredit
or damage a group to achieve specific political
aims.
Terrorism throughout the world is increasing
each year. In 1980, the Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI) classified terrorism as its
third-ranking domestic bureau priority. Acts
of terrorism directed at naval activities or
installations have the potential to destroy
critical facilities and to injure or kill key
personnel. They can also impair or delay mission
accomplishment or cause incalculable damage
politically through adverse publicity and public
perceptions.
The complexity of terrorism requires that you,
as a second class petty officer, have a good
understanding of terrorism. You must have the
knowledge needed to protect yourself and to train
your subordinates to protect themselves. This
chapter will provide you with information on
terrorism methods, threat conditions, and
safeguards against terrorism.
TERRORISM METHODS
The record of terrorist activities directed at
military activities in the past shows that terrorists
might use the following methods:
1. Bombing —Bombing may be used to
destroy equipment, cause fires, create casualties,
and so forth. The bombs used may be of any
degree of sophistication. Depending on bomb size
and placement, the impact may range from a
minor to a major crisis.
2. Ambush —Rapid ambush attacks are used
by individuals or small groups to assassinate
individuals, eliminate groups of naval personnel,
or destroy or steal assets in remote locations.
3. Armed Attack —An armed attack, usually
with one or more diversionary actions, is carried
out by small groups against key personnel or
critical assets on an installation. The objective is
to disrupt the mission of the installation and to
create adverse publicity. Normally, terrorists
involved in this type of action take hostages only
if their attackers try to prevent their escape.
4. Hostage Seizures —A terrorist group may
seize a specific hostage or a number of hostages
for ransom, media attention, coercion, or political
bargaining purposes. The group may make an
armed attack to seize critical assets (ships,
submarines, aircraft, and so forth) manned with
personnel. The terrorist group can then use the
assets and personnel as leverage to bargain for
publicity and political advantage.
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