Posted on Jul 9, 2015
Official On-line Conduct From the Chief of Staff of the Army - what is the communities thoughts regarding this announcement?
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Just received this official e-mail regarding on-line conduct while in the Army. Thought this could help active Army and other branches with ethical decisions regarding responses on RP:
Leaders,
The evolution of the Internet, social media, and other electronic
communications media over the last decade has altered how people communicate and interact. Protected by a sense of anonymity and lack of accountability, some individuals in society are participating in inappropriate and potentially harmful interactions using electronic communications. For
organizations, this type of behavior undermines trust within and damages
their public reputation.
The Army must take the initiative to clarify its standards for Online Conduct. As members of the Army Team, our individual interactions offline and online reflect on the Army and our values. Therefore, it is crucial that we act responsibly and understand that Army standards of conduct apply to all aspects of our life, including Online Conduct. Harassment, bullying, hazing, stalking, discrimination, retaliation, and any other type of misconduct that undermines dignity and respect are not consistent with Army Values. Individuals who participate in or condone misconduct, whether offline or online, may be subject to criminal, disciplinary, and/or administrative action.
As Soldiers, we exemplify the Army Ethic, and living by and upholding the Army Ethic applies to our day-to-day interactions, at the office, in the field, on deployment, and at home, both in person and across Social Media. I am concerned with the trend I am seeing regarding online bullying, cyber-stalking, and retaliation; this behavior is unprofessional and should not be acceptable to any of us. This does not mean that we should encourage our Soldiers to abstain from using social media platforms. It just means that we have to be a part of the conversation and, as with everything else we do, set the standard for what is right.
Join with me to turn the tide; let's work together to protect each other and tackle these issues to retain a culture of professionalism; both off and online.
Army Strong!
Raymond T. Odierno
General, 38th Chief of Staff
United States Army
The Strength of our Nation is our Army
The Strength of our Army is our Soldiers
The Strength of our Soldiers is our Families
This is what makes us "Army Strong"
Leaders,
The evolution of the Internet, social media, and other electronic
communications media over the last decade has altered how people communicate and interact. Protected by a sense of anonymity and lack of accountability, some individuals in society are participating in inappropriate and potentially harmful interactions using electronic communications. For
organizations, this type of behavior undermines trust within and damages
their public reputation.
The Army must take the initiative to clarify its standards for Online Conduct. As members of the Army Team, our individual interactions offline and online reflect on the Army and our values. Therefore, it is crucial that we act responsibly and understand that Army standards of conduct apply to all aspects of our life, including Online Conduct. Harassment, bullying, hazing, stalking, discrimination, retaliation, and any other type of misconduct that undermines dignity and respect are not consistent with Army Values. Individuals who participate in or condone misconduct, whether offline or online, may be subject to criminal, disciplinary, and/or administrative action.
As Soldiers, we exemplify the Army Ethic, and living by and upholding the Army Ethic applies to our day-to-day interactions, at the office, in the field, on deployment, and at home, both in person and across Social Media. I am concerned with the trend I am seeing regarding online bullying, cyber-stalking, and retaliation; this behavior is unprofessional and should not be acceptable to any of us. This does not mean that we should encourage our Soldiers to abstain from using social media platforms. It just means that we have to be a part of the conversation and, as with everything else we do, set the standard for what is right.
Join with me to turn the tide; let's work together to protect each other and tackle these issues to retain a culture of professionalism; both off and online.
Army Strong!
Raymond T. Odierno
General, 38th Chief of Staff
United States Army
The Strength of our Nation is our Army
The Strength of our Army is our Soldiers
The Strength of our Soldiers is our Families
This is what makes us "Army Strong"
Posted in these groups: 
RallyPoint
RallyPoint
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 9
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MSG (Join to see)
I agree... when I joined there were a number of things that didn't have to be codified... I guess it is the price we pay for today's society and the all-volunteer Army during time of war...
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General, I am all for professionalism. And I am all for standing up for one another, encouraging one another, having each other's back.
I do not stand for anything less than professionalism.
I do not stand for anything less than professionalism.
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MSG (Join to see)
The question will be how to enforce this... while at the same time allowing people ti have a modicum of a private life. Still, if people wanted privacy, the service ain't the place for that!
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COL Charles Williams
MSG (Join to see) - Well, first we put the rules in the regulations, and then it can be enforced.... via the UCMJ. It is a start.
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