Antiterrorism Awareness Month: Our Shared Responsibility
It has been 25 years since our nation felt the pain and fear of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. I can remember everything about those moments. I had the TV on as I was getting ready to leave. I watched as reporters filmed the fire on the first tower. I watched as the second plane struck the tower. It felt like the world had stopped. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing, and I felt like I had to make myself breathe.
Since that day, our nation has continued to adapt to an ever-changing world of threats. In advance of this anniversary, we observe Antiterrorism Awareness Month (ATAM) throughout August. Daily Tasking Order (DTO) 26-07-09 directs us as follows:
“USACE will execute the Army’s Annual Antiterrorism Awareness Month (ATAM) throughout August 2026, delegating execution authority to commanders and directors at all echelons. The strategic objective is to institutionalize heightened antiterrorism awareness and vigilance enterprise-wide, thereby mitigating the risk of terrorist attacks and safeguarding USACE personnel, critical infrastructure, and resources from violent extremist threats. During the month of August USACE conducts comprehensive Antiterrorism (AT) education and awareness operations targeting Soldiers, Department of the Army (DA) Civilians, contractors, and family members in order to instill heightened organizational vigilance, deter terrorist activities, and protect critical personnel and resources.”
As we approach the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, this year’s campaign reinforces our resolve. By promoting focused ATAM themes, we will sustain a proactive defensive posture designed to enhance situational awareness and organizational vigilance across the District.
What does this mean for our district?
Headquarters sets the strategy, but the actual work of protecting our people happens right here, every day. A strong security culture means safety is not just the responsibility of the Antiterrorism Officer (ATO) or the guards at the door — it is a shared responsibility.
The events of 25 years ago showed us the worst of what can happen when our adversaries succeed. This August, let’s honor that memory by looking out for one another, remaining vigilant and ensuring our District remains a hard target.
Stay safe, and thank you for doing your part.
How USACE Headquarters guidance is being implemented at the Rock Island District:
• Go Beyond the Checkbox: We all must complete our mandatory Level I AT Awareness Training, but true security requires more than basic compliance. We need to apply these concepts every day. Be situationally aware, don’t allow tailgating through secure doors, remove your CAC when leaving your desk, and practice good operational security (OPSEC) in public spaces. • See Something, Say Something: Threat recognition is our collective defense against violent extremism and insider threats. Familiarize yourself with reporting systems such as iWATCH Army and iSalute. If you observe suspicious activity — such as unauthorized photography of our facilities, unusual questions about our operations or concerning behavioral changes in a colleague — report it immediately. • Enhance Our Survivability: Take time this month to review your office’s emergency action plans. Familiarize yourself with primary and secondary evacuation routes, and mentally rehearse your active shooter response procedures. Preparedness saves lives. • Trust the Process: While you remain vigilant, know that District leadership and our ATOs are working hard behind the scenes. They are actively reviewing facility-level plans, conducting Random Antiterrorism Measures (RAMs) and tailoring Force Protection Condition (FPCON) measures to ensure our environment remains secure.
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