Who is responsible for establishing restricted areas in writing?

The responsibility for establishing restricted areas in writing falls to the commanding officer (CO) because the CO has overarching authority and accountability for all operations and personnel within their command. This includes the establishment of security protocols and the designation of restricted areas to protect property, personnel, and information.

When a CO designates a restricted area, it involves assessing the need for restricted access based on security requirements and operational considerations. Such decisions are formalized in writing to ensure clarity and to provide a basis for enforcing access control measures.

Though other positions, such as the installation security chief or area security officer, may contribute to recommending security measures, they operate under the authority delegated by the CO and do not have the same level of responsibility. Similarly, the facility manager may manage operations within a facility but does not have the command authority required to establish restricted areas. Therefore, the commanding officer's role is crucial in formalizing these restrictions to ensure proper security practices are implemented and maintained across the command.