Do you Facebook friend people from work?

CWO4 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 20:47:25 -0400

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made Jun 5 at 2014 10:10 PM

CPT Jacob Swartout — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 22:10:03 -0400

I only have a small handful of military friends on FB that I trust. For one, I don't use mine very often other than to see my family pics and I would rather just have them call me instead. It's more of a private life that I don't like to share with everyone.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2014 10:13 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 22:13:16 -0400

I typically wait until I PCS until I accept to keep the distance. Then it is just about networking and keeping in touch. I try to keep my FB account just to humor for the most part with a wise thoughtful post for Memorial and Veteran's Day.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 5 at 2014 10:18 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 22:18:21 -0400

Now that I'm retired as well as a lot of my military friends, we FB to keep in touch which is great! I limit my civilian work FB friending for many of the same reasons that you have stated about being on AD.

Response by MSG Floyd Williams made Jun 5 at 2014 10:28 PM

MSG Floyd Williams — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 22:28:27 -0400

It isn't a good practice to be on Facebook during work time, I heard of many people getting trouble because of giving out information in reference to their job, slandering or talking about people in their work area, and/or stupid enough to brag about faking sick to get out of work for whatever reason. Facebook can be a good resource for reconnecting with relatives and friends long distance and getting to know relatives you never met before, but there are a lot of drama on Facebook too.

Response by CPT Catherine R. made Jun 5 at 2014 10:44 PM

CPT Catherine R. — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 22:44:02 -0400

Soldiers? Depends on who they are in relation to me.
Civilian coworkers? Yes, no reason not to.

I'm not renowned for being too serious on FB anyway, I don't do drama and I know how to add different settings to my photos if I choose. There is NOTHING on FB that I wouldn't say or show someone if they asked though.

Response by SGT Carissa Lara, RCS made Jun 5 at 2014 10:52 PM

SGT Carissa Lara, RCS — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 22:52:21 -0400

I don't friend supervisors while they are my supervisors and I don't friend my soldiers or civilians while I'm in charge of them. They can friend me when they or I PCS.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2014 11:20 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 23:20:17 -0400

No and let me say again no. Only after I leave a unit will I accept a FB friend request. I de-friended a guy when I discovered we'd be in the same unit again. While I know there are still ways to see what is out there on FB I want to try and keep what I put on there to myself as much as possible and away from work. I also don't want the impression of favoritism to be given off..."you friended so and so but not me".

Response by SFC Stephen Carden made Jun 5 at 2014 11:25 PM

SFC Stephen Carden — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 23:25:53 -0400

Absolutely not. I try my best to have a work life and a home life (as I sit here typing on RP at 11pm). People at work have no need to know what goes on in my private life. I don't have anything to hide, but it is my private life. Friending co-workers is what RP and LinkedIn are for.

Response by SPC Dan Goforth made Jun 6 at 2014 1:00 AM

SPC Dan Goforth — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 01:00:58 -0400

I Facebook friend people after we are no longer in the same unit. I'm with you Chief. I like a private life. I don't mind keeping caught up afterwards, but during our time in the same unit, I can find out during the duty day.

Response by PO3 Johnathan Mitchell made Jun 6 at 2014 1:27 AM

PO3 Johnathan Mitchell — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 01:27:12 -0400

Yes I've accepted and no I don't regret it.

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2014 7:36 PM

CPO Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 19:36:21 -0400

No!

Response by SGT Suraj Dave made Aug 12 at 2014 6:39 PM

SGT Suraj Dave — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 18:39:19 -0400

Yes, but only if they are my actual friends, and I hang out with them off duty. I was a very popular soldier in my battalion when I was lower enlisted, I had friends in every platoon from my whole battalion. When I became an NCO, I realized that if I read something about my soldiers doing the wrong thing on facebook, I would have to do something about it. I block all my subordinates.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2014 8:53 PM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 20:53:17 -0400

I was about to ask this question. It's something I've been mulling over. I personally don't really have an issue with this as long as your profile is tasteful and you portray yourself online as you do at work. I haven't read the responses on here yet, so I could be swayed.