Do you check out the social media pages of your personnel?

1SG DeyShuan Shepherd — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 07:46:48 -0500

Response by SFC James Baber made Feb 11 at 2014 9:51 AM

SFC James Baber — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 09:51:38 -0500

I would think perusing them would be an ok thing to do, just to ensure they are not doing anything that could be hurting them professionally, but searching them out might be a little on the over the top side of things.

I am not sure I am fully understanding what you are asking or your intent of the question is, a little more clarification as to what you are seeking or inferring to might get further or more in-depth responses.

Response by SSG Matthew Thomas made Feb 11 at 2014 10:27 AM

SSG Matthew Thomas — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 10:27:33 -0500

During deployments NCO's were encouraged to visit their troopers sites for OPSEC purposes. Making sure photos and information was not shared to the public.

Response by SSG V. Michelle Woods made Feb 11 at 2014 12:09 PM

SSG V. Michelle Woods — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 12:09:35 -0500

MSG

Absolutely! Then again they usually creep me out before I even have a chance to look them up.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2014 12:17 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 12:17:20 -0500

MSG Shepherd,

This is one of my favorite topics and I get a lot of different views. Personally, I friend my Soldiers on Facebook because I can use it as a leadership tool. Long weekends and holidays are a big time for people to post everything they are doing and it helps keep issues at my level. However, I don't think all Leaders should follow this tool unless they have a personal abd professional account. A lot of respect can be lost from Leaders using social media with their Soldiers if they are not professional off duty as well. Overall, I find it beneficial.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2014 8:57 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 08:57:04 -0400

Yes I do, MSG.

I follow my fellow soldiers on media sites for a multitude of reasons. During holidays, you can send them a message or two, to check up on them. While this does not replace a personal visit, it does help gear the soldiers towards trusting in one another. Social media can help you see a problem, and stop it, before it goes anywhere. A perfect example is when a soldier goes downtown to drink, and gets left by his driver, becuase they have a disagreement. More often than not that soldier is going to post about it online before doing anything. If you are following your soldiers, your cell phone will buzz you and give you the update. Now you can go and pick that soldier up, before he or she does something that they will regret come the morning. Facebook is not the place to correct a soldier, but it is something that should be watched so you know how your soldiers are doing.

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Mar 20 at 2014 9:39 AM

SGT Bryon Sergent — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 09:39:47 -0400

I have my tropps as friends on my page so I see a majority of there posts. I have had to chastize one of them for OPSEC reasons but for the most part I try and not to.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Apr 12 at 2015 10:36 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Sun, 12 Apr 2015 10:36:52 -0400

I certainly do! It's amazing how much more honest people are online than they are in person. There is no faster way to find out what ails someone or to gauge their true mindset. Asking them generally will net you a canned response, but online venting is often brutally honest..

Response by SFC Walter Mack made Apr 12 at 2015 3:05 PM

SFC Walter Mack — Sun, 12 Apr 2015 15:05:25 -0400

My personnel? Sometimes, if they are comfortable sharing their silly social media façade with me, sure. The pages I check out more often are those of my leaders. I'll post it here, even though some of them certainly may see it. What does it hurt to know what teams or colleges or hobbies are precious to those leaders around you. It's good to know as much as possible about your leaders. Be it to act like a kiss ass or simply know who not to insult around the new CO, intel is intel. Gather it.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 12 at 2015 6:11 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Apr 2015 18:11:40 -0400

I rarely check my Soldiers Social Media Pages nor do I accept friend requests from those under me.

If something is brought to my attention I will check it out. Otherwise I do not have time to stalk people on social media; I have too many other things to concern myself with.

I do however brief my Soldiers at least once a week that Social Media is a permanent event and the things hey place on there can become a problem for them in their careers whether it be Military or Civilian.