Can someone cover news while in the military?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Jun 2019 12:02:14 -0400

Can someone in the military cover news and current events online (i.e. YouTube, Twitch, etc) without getting in trouble?

Response by SFC Marc W. made Jun 19 at 2019 12:12 PM

SFC Marc W. — Wed, 19 Jun 2019 12:12:11 -0400

Define cover the news? Are you talking about providing an opinion on events or saying 'X event occurred at X place'? Is this a personal channel fully detached from the military or will you tout credentials?

Talk to your Public Affairs Officer (PAO) before you post anything. Realize that anything you say can be construed to be coming from the US Army and you are not a spokesperson for the US Army in any capacity. You really have to watch yourself online because people will do whatever they can to gain some sort of 'upper hand' in their views.

My advice, avoid it.

Response by MSgt Michael Smith made Jun 19 at 2019 12:58 PM

MSgt Michael Smith — Wed, 19 Jun 2019 12:58:42 -0400

You better be careful. If you are talking about being a journalist -- that is writing or speaking about current events and then publishing your works --you can, in no way, identify yourself as a military member or your affiliation with any government entity. Even if it is good things about the military, even just neutral things, if you identify yourself as a member of the military you are then automatically speaking for the military and you absolutely cannot do that. You can't even be in uniform at a political event for the same reason. They come down SUPER HARD on violations of these types of things.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jun 19 at 2019 2:13 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Wed, 19 Jun 2019 14:13:48 -0400

Are you talking about being a reporter? If that is not your MOS you could get into court-marital trouble quick.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Jun 19 at 2019 3:49 PM

SSG Carlos Madden — Wed, 19 Jun 2019 15:49:45 -0400

I'd be careful. You should be okay as long as you do not do any reporting in uniform, or say things like "as a military member," etc. You need to do it entirely as a civilian and make no mention of your military service.

All that being said, if your version of covering "news and current event online" is some extremist stuff and the military finds out, get ready for an OTH discharge.

Response by SGT Mathew Husen made Jun 20 at 2019 10:51 PM

SGT Mathew Husen — Thu, 20 Jun 2019 22:51:48 -0400

As a member of the armed forces; it is not your place.