The Digital Ambush

Situational Awareness in the Age of Social Media

In the tactical world, situational awareness (SA) is often defined as "knowing what is going on around you." It’s the OODA loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) in motion. We train to spot the person lingering too long at the gas pump or the car that’s followed us through three turns.

But at The Warrior Chicken, we know that the modern battlefield isn't just physical—it’s digital. Your phone is a window, and while you’re looking out of it, thousands of entities are looking back in.

Situational awareness on social media isn't about being paranoid; it’s about being hard to target. Here is how to apply tactical SA to your digital life.

1. The "Left of Bang" Mindset

In security circles, "Bang" is the event—the robbery, the doxxing, the identity theft. "Left of Bang" is everything that happens before the crisis.

On social media, "Left of Bang" means recognizing that every piece of data you post is a puzzle piece for a predator.

• The Check-in: Posting your location in real-time tells people exactly where you are—and exactly where your home is vacant.
• The Background: That "gym selfie" might show a calendar in the background or a keycard hanging from your lanyard.
• The Routine: If you post your morning coffee at the same shop every Tuesday, you aren’t sharing a lifestyle; you’re sharing a predictable pattern of life.

2. Digital Terrain Analysis

Just as you’d scout a physical location, you must understand the "terrain" of the platforms you use.

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3. The "Grey Man" Theory Online

The "Grey Man" is someone who blends into the environment so perfectly they are utterly forgettable. On social media, being the Grey Man means minimizing your digital signature.

• Audit your "Vibe": Does your profile broadcast wealth, political volatility, or high-value assets? These are "hooks" that draw unwanted attention.
• Silence is Security: You don't have to post every win. Success is a loud signal; sometimes, the most tactical move is to stay quiet.
• The 24-Hour Rule: If you must share an experience or a location, wait 24 hours. Post the photo when you are already miles away and safely behind your own deadbolt.

4. Recognizing the "Digital Pre-Attack Indicators"

Physical attackers often give off "tells"—grooming gestures, target glancing, or flanking. Digital attackers have tells, too:

• New Account "Deep Likes": Someone you don't know liking photos from three years ago? They are "casing" your profile.
• Oddly Specific Questions: Questions about your line of work, your commute, or your gear from a stranger are red flags.
• Urgency: Any message that demands immediate action or plays on your emotions is a classic social engineering tactic.

The Bottom Line

At the end of the day, social media is a tool. Like a blade or a firearm, it can be used effectively, or it can be used against you. The Warrior Chicken doesn't hide from the world, but we don't hand the enemy our playbook, either.

Stay alert, stay private, and keep your head on a swivel—even when it's buried in a screen.

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Next week I'll provide a sample "Digital Pre-Flight Checklist" for you to think about and potentially use.