MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- On November 2, 2008, Headquarters Marine Corps released Marine Administrative Message 647-08 banning the use of removable flash media storage and memory devices from Department of Defense networks.

However, during a recent six-day Marine Corps network scan, the use of 795 memory storage devices was detected.

One hundred and seventy-two of these violations were by individuals located on Camp Pendleton. Individuals who continue to violate MarAdmin 647-08 may be penalized.

Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton Communications and Information System Note 008-09 states future violators on Camp Pendleton may have their accounts disabled without warnings or exceptions.

Any removable flash media storage device that uses a universal serial bus connection is prohibited on the Marine Corps Enterprise Network, Navy Networks Non-Secure Internet Protocol Router Network, Secret Internet Protocol Router Network and the Marine Corps Sensitive Compartmented Information Networks, according to MarAdmin 647-08. 

The following devices use a USB connection: flash or thumb drives, memory sticks, camera flash memory cards and any portable electronic storage device.

External hard disk drives are not included in the ban.

These precautions are to protect government computers from credible and substantial threats, according to the MarAdmin 647-08.

The Marine Corps and Communications and Information Systems Camp Pendleton are requesting full support from individuals to help enforce these regulations.

For additional information, contact your unit’s Communications and Information’s System representative.