SMA Mandates Facebook Presence Bullet

2015-01-24T00:56:40-05:00

THE PENTAGON — Sgt. Maj. of the Army Ray Chandler announced this week that senior enlisted personnel would be rated on their ability to police online social media activity, in what many are nicknaming the “Facebook bullet” on the non-commissioned officer report (NCOER).

According to senior defense officials, raters would evaluate exactly how many hours NCOs spend in chatrooms, Facebook pages, and scanning Twitter accounts looking for soldiers posting inappropriate memes, jokes, or using naughty language.

The changes were made as a way to inspire NCOs to emulate the online heroics of 1st Sgt. Katrina Moerk, who recently received the Army Commendation Medal after initiating three separate SHARP investigations when she spotted an online video where male soldiers did not act like perfect gentlemen while speaking about a female in the barracks.

“What really made the decision easy for us, was the overwhelming support 1st. Sgt. Moerk received from both the online and military communities,” Chandler said. “It proved that there was a real desire by our leaders to clean up the filth that pervades the internet, and hold soldiers to the same standards expected of them at work in their online lives.”

The award Moerk received did not come without controversy however. Most combat-experienced soldiers expressed outrage that she did not receive a higher award, such as the Distinguished Service Cross.

“Unfortunately, we just couldn’t get her a higher award,” Chandler said, while also noting that a petition had been started to possibly get the award upgraded to at least a Bronze Star. “Moerk went above and beyond the scope of her duties to ensure the internet is a safe, clean, and morally correct place for all races, religions, creeds, and sexual orientations.”

At press time, Duffel Blog had obtained a draft presentation of the new NCOER requirements, which included the addition of mandatory SHARP, Equal Opportunity, Online Presence, LGBTQ Understanding, Freedom from Tattoos, and Overall Sensitivity inputs along with room for a single comment to summarize the entire performance and abilities of the rated soldier.

Read more: http://www.duffelblog.com/2015/01/ncoer-facebook-bullet/#ixzz3PiQoir7e

http://www.duffelblog.com/2015/01/ncoer-facebook-bullet/

Updated Army Evaluation Now Includes Mandatory 'Facebook Presence' Requirement

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2015 1:20 AM

2015-01-24T01:20:21-05:00

This may be made fun of now but I am nervous that it may become a reality LTC Private RallyPoint Member

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Jan 24 at 2015 5:05 AM

2015-01-24T05:05:00-05:00

Thank god this is duffleblog

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2015 10:15 AM

2015-01-24T10:15:20-05:00

LTC Private RallyPoint Member,

Looks like you missed my post of this last week!

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Jan 24 at 2015 10:22 AM

2015-01-24T10:22:07-05:00

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Jan 24 at 2015 10:27 AM

2015-01-24T10:27:46-05:00

I prayed that this was Duffel Blog. Thank God that when I clicked it, it went to Duffel Blog. I was about to bang my head against the desk! :)

Response by CMC Robert Young made Jan 24 at 2015 10:30 AM

2015-01-24T10:30:57-05:00

Careful....we all know you're kidding, but somewhere out there is somebody who thinks this is a good idea ;-)

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2015 10:34 AM

2015-01-24T10:34:22-05:00

With the "New Army", nothing really surprises me anymore. Duffleblog is not always totally unbelievable. Just like this story, until they get into the award comments, it's not outside the realm of possibility.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2015 10:34 AM

2015-01-24T10:34:33-05:00

You and Duffel Blog had me going for a few minutes, LTC Private RallyPoint Member. I was going to ask if time on RallyPoint would count. Those stories are so close to the truth, it's easy to be taken in sometimes.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Jan 24 at 2015 11:24 AM

2015-01-24T11:24:41-05:00

FANTASTIC ARTICLE!! Well written and in good taste. I have to salute, take my hat off and bow to the author who penned this work of art. I'm hoping the meaning of this article reaches the highest levels of the the NCO Corps!!

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Jan 24 at 2015 11:32 AM

2015-01-24T11:32:52-05:00

Booya, duffle blog strikes again. Love it but in all seriousness this could very well be the future. I am miffed walking into offices and work spaces to find folks surfing the net. Not much work going on with the social media thing these days. The article had me going also until the Bronze Star and then I knew fir due, but then again the poster also had me curious knowing his humor. Anyway, like the blog almost as much as the stetson becoming the new headgear and the relocation of the Pentagon to Kansas or something like that for central CONUS logistics.

Response by 1SG David Niles made Jan 24 at 2015 11:33 AM

2015-01-24T11:33:54-05:00

Sure glad this was a joke, The sad part was that we almost believed it

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Jan 24 at 2015 11:37 AM

2015-01-24T11:37:59-05:00

Just remember that a few years ago when the MSAF came out, that it was a tool, I said in 2010 it would eventually make it on the OER, walla! In addition, I believe it will be able to be reviewed by the chain when rating time comes around. Once folks have several on file, one can gather from results whether a toxic leader had in fact changed their colors.

Response by SFC Dan Sorrow, M.S. made Jan 24 at 2015 11:44 AM

2015-01-24T11:44:21-05:00

The Duffel Blog must be very similar to The Onion. Had me going for a second there, CPT! Ha!

Response by SSG Michael Velez made Jan 24 at 2015 11:56 AM

2015-01-24T11:56:53-05:00

I'll admit ya got me. God bless DB

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2015 12:02 PM

2015-01-24T12:02:05-05:00

Sir,

I was about to make fun of you but.... you knew what you were doing.

Response by SGT Luke Huston made Jan 24 at 2015 2:28 PM

2015-01-24T14:28:15-05:00

these are the kind of things I Don't miss about the Army, but the actual soldier part was kick ass!