New Policy Requirements for External Communications Related to Military Installations
Nick Lewman
Defender Contracting & Construction
Managing Member
New Policy Requirements for External Communications Related to Military Installations
Leadership Perspective
Our work takes place in environments where discipline, trust, and operational awareness matter. Every project we execute supports mission-critical infrastructure for the U.S. military and other federal partners. That responsibility extends beyond how we build, it includes how we communicate.
Recent guidance from military installations reflects heightened security requirements and an increased focus on operational security (OPSEC). These policies are not new in principle, but enforcement across installations is becoming more deliberate and consistent.
For Defender, Infinite Energy, and Matai teams working on military installations, this means we must be disciplined about what information is shared outside the gate. Social media posts, LinkedIn updates, project photos, and even casual references to installation activities can unintentionally expose sensitive information.
The expectation is simple: when we are working in secure environments, our communications must reflect the same professionalism and situational awareness that we bring to the jobsite.
Why These Rules Exist
Military installations operate in a security environment that most civilian construction projects do not.
Facilities we build, renovate, or maintain often support operational missions, critical infrastructure, or strategic capabilities. Even when the work itself seems routine utilities upgrades, facility improvements, infrastructure replacement the details around location, timing, and capabilities can still carry security implications.
A single photo posted publicly can reveal more than intended:
Equipment types and staging areas
Facility layouts or access points
Construction progress timelines
Operational areas within an installation
Exact locations through embedded geotagging
Individually these details may appear harmless. Combined, they can create a clearer picture of installation activities than intended.
Military partners take this seriously, and so should we. Our credibility as a contractor depends not only on delivering quality work but also on demonstrating operational awareness and respect for installation security requirements.
These communication policies are about protecting the mission, protecting the installation, and protecting the long-term trust placed in our companies.
Operational security is not only the responsibility of the warfighter. It is the responsibility of everyone trusted to work inside the fence.
What Employees Should Avoid
As a general rule, employees should not publicly post or share information that identifies or reveals details about active work on a military installation.
This applies across all public platforms, including:
Social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, X, etc.)
LinkedIn posts or updates
Company websites or marketing content
Public presentations or media references
Personal photography shared online
Below are examples of unacceptable posts or communications.
Unacceptable Social Media Posts
❌ “Another great day working on infrastructure upgrades at Whiteman AFB.”
❌ Posting photos of construction equipment staged on a flightline or operational area.
❌ Sharing images of work zones, security gates, restricted facilities, or aircraft areas.
❌ Posting project progress photos showing identifiable buildings or base landmarks.
Unacceptable LinkedIn Posts
❌ “Proud to be leading the construction team for a new facility at [specific military installation].”
❌ “Our crew is installing new utilities infrastructure on base this week.”
❌ Posting jobsite photos that clearly identify the installation or mission area.
Even well-intentioned posts meant to celebrate a project milestone or recognize team performance can violate installation policies if they reference the location or show sensitive environments.
Project Photos
Employees should not post jobsite photos taken on military installations to personal social media or LinkedIn accounts. Photographs captured on installations may contain details that are not obvious at first glance but still fall under OPSEC considerations.
Geotagging
Many smartphones automatically attach location data to photos and social media posts. This geotagging can reveal the exact location where the image was captured, even if the installation is not mentioned in the caption.
Geotagging military installations or construction sites on base is not permitted.
If there is ever uncertainty about whether something is appropriate to share publicly, the safest approach is simple: do not post it.
Acceptable Ways to Communicate Professionally
While these policies restrict project-specific public communication, they do not prevent us from discussing the work we do in a professional and responsible way.
The key is to focus on capabilities and experience, not specific installations or active projects.
Here are examples of acceptable communications.
Professional Social Media Examples
✔ “Proud to work alongside skilled teams delivering mission-critical infrastructure projects for federal partners.”
✔ “Great collaboration between engineers, project managers, and field crews supporting complex federal construction programs.”
These types of posts recognize the work without identifying locations or revealing operational details.
LinkedIn Experience Descriptions
Employees may reference their work in general terms when describing their professional experience.
✔ “Project manager supporting infrastructure upgrades on secure federal installations.”
✔ “Superintendent leading construction teams on mission-critical facilities across multiple defense installations.”
What should be avoided is naming specific installations or referencing active construction activities tied to identifiable locations.
Company Communications
When Defender, Infinite Energy, or Matai publish external content, it should emphasize capabilities rather than individual installation projects.
For example:
✔ “Delivering infrastructure modernization across strategic Air Force and Department of Defense installations.”
✔ “Supporting federal agencies through MILCON, SABER, MATOC, and IDIQ construction programs.”
This approach communicates the scale and professionalism of our work while remaining fully compliant with installation security expectations.
Expectations for Defender Teams
Working on military installations carries a level of responsibility that goes beyond the jobsite.
Every employee—engineers, superintendents, project managers, field crews, and support staff plays a role in protecting the security environment we operate within.
Professional judgment in communications is part of that responsibility.
Before sharing anything publicly, ask a simple question:
Does this reveal where we are working, what we are building, or how the installation operates?
If the answer is yes, or even possibly, do not share it.
These policies are not about limiting pride in our work. The projects our teams deliver are important, complex, and meaningful. But the environments we work in require discretion.
The reputation of Defender, Infinite Energy, and Matai has been built on professionalism, reliability, and trust with our federal partners. Maintaining that trust means respecting the operational realities of the installations we support.
Discipline in how we communicate externally is part of that commitment.
What are your thoughts?
If you have questions about these communication guidelines or examples from your project that may help others better understand these expectations, please share them in the comments below.