How do you best use social media within your command and remain professional?

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 22:38:00 -0400

What are the good, bad and the ugly aspects of informal social media relationships with those in your chain of Command, up and down. Do you Facebook your subordinates?

Response by LTC Jason Strickland made Apr 17 at 2014 10:43 PM

LTC Jason Strickland — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 22:43:32 -0400

Leaders must be very careful in this regard. That's one of the things that makes RallyPoint unique - this is a professional social media site. LinkedIn serves the same purpose. Facebook friendships should be scrutinized because you can both expose your personal life (if you share that much on Fb) and learn more than you want to know about your fellow troops.

Response by CPT Ryan B. made Apr 18 at 2014 6:26 AM

CPT Ryan B. — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 06:26:54 -0400

Jacob, my rule of thumb is to not have a facebook connection with anyone in my current chain of command. It has worked out nicely so far. The most people I have ever connected with afterwards, though, were my old Company Commanders (most of which are MAJ now-and provide good mentorship across great distances) and my old Platoon Sergeants and First Sergeants (most of which are now First Sergeants and Command Sergeants Major-also still providing great counsel).