Facebook: An asset or detriment?

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Jan 2014 16:50:24 -0500

Have you ever looked to Facebook to see what your junior troops are doing? With Facebook not being as private as everyone wishes it was, young troops post potentially incriminating stuff.

Or if you are an employer have you ever looked to Facebook to disqualify an applicant?

If someone in the military posts a picture that is incriminating and that also violates the UCMJ, can that be enough to charge them? Such as underage drinking, vandalism, being at a black listed establishment, ect.

How do we as leaders address problems that arise due to social networking?

I use Facebook mainly to promote my wife's business and rarely post anything on it.

Your Facebook posts, tweets could cost you a job

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 30 — Recruiter Muslim Nazari thought the 28-year-old applying for the sales manager position seemed too good to be true with his impressive resume and impeccable interview scores.
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Response by SGT Ben Keen made Jan 2 at 2014 4:52 PM

SGT Ben Keen — Thu, 02 Jan 2014 16:52:36 -0500

This topic has been addressed numerous times. I would suggest searching the forums and reading some of the comments already shared on this subject.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2014 4:55 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Jan 2014 16:55:51 -0500

It's an asset to leaders and junior troops. It helps the leadership get an unbiased "pulse" of their troops, and give the troops another way to approach their leadership if they have a professional FB account.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2014 12:10 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 12:10:43 -0500

Facebook, and other social media sites, can either be a huge detriment or a valuable tool. I urge all my soldiers to manage their appearance on social media for a couple of reasons.

>>1. Assume anything you post can be seen by anyone, forever. This includes family, friends, potential employer's, current employer's, etc...

>>2. Anything you post while in uniform, about your job, or otherwise personal information, could potentially aid the enemy. I highly advise people avoid posting while in uniform, or on installation, pictures of training, equipment, etc... Some of it may be (or seem) harmless, but a good rule of thumb before posting is to think: Would I e-mail this post/picture directly to Al-Qaeda? Because now-a-days terrorist cells focus on cyber warfare just as much as conventional warfare, and even if you think it's private, no company is completely impervious to "hacking".

>>3. Would this post/picture positively reflect on my character? Try to think of the Army values that we are all suppose to embody and represent. If you wouldn't want that picture/post you made on your 1SG's desk, then it may be unwise to post.

Response by TSgt Phillip L. made Mar 17 at 2014 3:29 PM

TSgt Phillip L. — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 15:29:43 -0400

Facebook is as private as you make it. Violations of UCMJ/OPSEC, Etc...should be addressed. Any public posts on the internet of illegal nature which could bring discredit to the service and/or unit...should be addressed.

Education is key when it comes to properly setting up the privacy settings in facebook, but most importantly...realizing that anything posted on the internet is not private. That's got to sink in with people, all people. Unless you own the site, you have zero right to restrict the distribution of the data you post to another entity's property. Facebook, ralleypoint...both owned by someone else. They can create their own guidelines and promise certain privacy options...but unless entering into a contract with the owners of the site...there's no duty to comply with those promises.

How much does one "pay" facebook to use their service?

Social networking is a good thing, but you need to use your brain to use it. When a soldier get's caught drinking underage or committing vandalism....they don't receive disciplinary actions for posting it on facebook....they receive disciplinary actions for committing the breach offense. Facebook or other social media simply provided the evidence to prosecute the breach. Using facebook in such a manner is just as stupid as recording yourself committing a crime and then mailing the recording to your commander.

It really is that stupid. People stupid enough to commit these crimes, generally compound their stupidity by believing posts on another person's property are private.

Response by SFC Cornelius Walsh made Apr 27 at 2014 11:52 AM

SFC Cornelius Walsh — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 11:52:30 -0400

Agreed, and good point. Soldiers need to be far more cautious these days when it comes to their online behavior. I also think it's a bit upsetting when I see NCOs and Soldiers becoming Facebook "friends." We need to provide leadership, not friendship.