A gun and a key

The first time I learned about duress was when I served 100 feet underground with the US Air Force.

Greetings Everyday Spy, The first time I learned about duress was when I served 100 feet underground with the US Air Force.   I was a nuclear missile officer charged with operating 10 of America's nuclear intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). I would live underground with a second ICBM officer for 72 hours at a time, serving as a two-man crew.   We wore military uniforms and matching booklets - two identical sets of launch codes.   Living under 10 tons of dirt behind a 4 ton blast door, there are very few direct threats to a nuclear missile crew.   A support building sits directly above you, disguised as a house. Inside the building are military police, a cook, and a commo tech. Their job is to keep the missile crew, the 10 warheads, and each other safe.   Just like the ICBM crew underground, the support folks sitting topside serve on long 5-7 day shifts.   The US has been securing nuclear weapons since 1945 and knows that the biggest risk isn't their physical security…   It's protecting people that have access to the missile and the launch codes. And more importantly, teaching those people how to protect each other.   To help us stay secure, we were taught to use duress words.   Duress words are specific keywords that you say out-loud only if you are under some kind of direct threat.    The first goal of a duress word is to communicate danger, so that the person who hears the word knows immediately that the other person is acting under threat.   The second goal of a duress word is to be secret, so that the threat itself never realizes a duress word was used at all.   The best duress words are common words, but not common enough that they are used in daily practice.   These are words that get used in daily life, but not professional settings - like 'sunburn,' 'elephant,' 'toothpick,' or 'hot date.' They are not alarming, so they blend into regular conversation without the threat realizing a duress word has been used.   But they are clear and deliberate to the person listening on the other end of the call.   Imagine a nuclear missile tech team is doing minor repairs to a launch capsule in the field when the team is ambushed.   Everyone but one junior tech is killed in a matter of moments, before anyone can make a radio call for help. The attackers demand that the junior tech remove one of the nuclear warheads (they are about the size of a standard livingroom lamp - not large at all) and give it to them.   They put a gun to the tech's head and tell him to start.   A few minutes later, a routine call comes in on the tech's radio asking for a status report.   The tech looks up at his captors, and they tell him to answer - but keep it short. The tech takes his radio and says,    "Bravo 1 reporting, no issues here - just making sure this little lady is ready for her hot date. Over."   The radio gets put away. The attackers are satisfied and believe they are still in control. The tech goes back to doing what he was told to do.    But two security teams are immediately activated and directed to the tech's last known location.    Duress words give kids, spouses, coworkers, and friends a way to keep each other safe without drawing suspicion.   If a girl is worried that she might be assaulted by a date, doctor, or teacher but doesn't want to admit it out loud. If a child feels nervous or threatened by a stranger while standing in line or sitting in a restaurant and wants your attention/help. If an employee is being threatened or sees criminal activity at your shop but cannot say it openly.   Pick 2 duress words and put them into weekly rotation at home and in your business.    In our family, we use the words 'hangnail' and 'anchovy.' Every week, we change to the other word. The kids always remember, and everyone feels that much safer.   Feel free to use the same words we use or pick your own.   The goal is to give the people you care about another tool to work together and stay secure. Godspeed, #EverydaySpy P.S. - Learn how to protect yourself, your family, and your future using the same skills elite covert operators use in their everyday life. ACT NOW to save 50% on Shadow Lessons! Follow @EverydaySpy on Social Media! Andrew Bustamante, Founder of EverydaySpy.com, is a former covert CIA Intelligence officer, decorated US Air Force Combat Veteran, and respected Fortune 500 senior advisor. Learn more from Andrew on his Podcast (The Everyday Espionage Podcast) and by following @EverydaySpy on your favorite social media platform.

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