What advice do you have for creating and maintaining a Platoon Facebook group/page?

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 13:25:26 -0500

I have been encouraged by a few peers to create a Platoon Facebook page to stay in contact with Soldiers. For those who use one or been a member of one what have been the best benefits or worst issues you've had? Are there any best practices? Have you had success using it or was it a waste of time (from both the leader and Soldier's perspective)?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2016 1:29 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 13:29:06 -0500

Be careful! These things can have a great benefit, but they can also invite new and "fun" problems. Also, if you get it started, it needs to be kept updated and relevant, otherwise it's just another wasted tool. Finally, make sure it's in compliance with the Army Social Media policy and any local policies. For example, all of ours have to be reviewed and monitored by our PAO.

Response by SFC Kevin Cornett made Jan 28 at 2016 1:32 PM

SFC Kevin Cornett — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 13:32:24 -0500

*Disclaimer* I'm retired. Never thought about not considered having a FB page for my platoon.
What kind of info do you hope to convey? Are there better channels? Is this a "to keep in touch" idea?
Will access be restricted? Or will it be a public page? How do you control or mitigate spouse/SO access using Soldiers' accounts/joint accounts?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2016 1:32 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 13:32:26 -0500

Having a platoon Facebook page can be a great idea if majority of your platoon members have a facebook account. We created a group on facebook of the unit I previously deployed with and it is a great way to keep in touch. I would suggest to check with your S2 group and determine what are the Do's and Don'ts. Also practice OPSEC and keep your group a CLOSED group. As far as disseminating information it is also a great tool, but I am a believer to distribute all information to my Squad Leaders first and have them contact their Soldiers. Just my thought.

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Jan 28 at 2016 1:34 PM

SGT Jeremiah B. — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 13:34:01 -0500

First thing - Secret group. That makes it unsearchable and only knowable to those invited. I use it for non-military but highly private functions to great effect. It's a great tool for posting articles and information for your team to read and talk about. Just make sure you have a clear vision of what you want to do with it and lay it out in a charter of sorts to avoid any surprises.

That said, it can be a bit drama-filled when you start mixing past and present members. Some guys see that DD-214 as a chance to show their asses a little more than normal, which can create leadership challenges regarding current service members.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2016 1:36 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 13:36:56 -0500

Maintain OPSEC, Good order, and military discipline

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Jan 28 at 2016 1:41 PM

SSG Carlos Madden — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 13:41:16 -0500

Facebook is a great way to stay in touch. I think the best uses for Facebook isn't necessarily for the soldiers, but for families. With that in mind, pictures and information regarding unit social events are a great use. Its a good way for family members to feel connected to their soldiers work life on a platform they are familiar with. Also, from Facebook its easy for them to share these things to other friends and family who may be unfamiliar with their military lives (ex. "Sarah Smith shared a picture of SFC Smith's promotion").

Another good use is the posting of calendar announcements. Military families can look at it and say "oh, I know my soldier has something going on Thursday." or "They have Drill next weekend at Ft. McCoy" It keeps them in the loop without having to ask too many questions.

On a separate note, have you tried using your unit's page on RallyPoint. This would be an idea place to put out some the the more military specific information or to ask a question intended for your soldiers (ex. "2nd PLT, does everyone have their TA-50 squared away from AT?").

https://www.rallypoint.com/units/a-co-a-company-2nd-battalion-135th-infantry-regiment-st-paul-mn

A Company (A Co), 2nd Battalion, 135th Infantry Regiment in St. Paul, MN is on RallyPoint

Connect with members of A Company (A Co), 2nd Battalion, 135th Infantry Regiment } on RallyPoint. Share your knowledge and get the answers you need from others with your experience.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2016 1:46 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 13:46:21 -0500

Good for you. Younger people consume information through non-conventional means. Social media is a great way to communicate to them. Limit the amount of admins you have and personally counsel all users on expectations for use. Closed group if you use dates and times and make sure they understand they STILL USE THE CHAIN OF COMMAND.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jan 28 at 2016 2:27 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 14:27:44 -0500

Administrator & Moderator Privileges and keeping them up to date. Primary Admins should of course be PL/PSG, with SLs as Moderators &/or Editors. TLs as Editors if needed/desired. The page "owner" should have a backup for when he PCS/ETS etc.

Response by SFC Dean Murdock made Jan 28 at 2016 2:36 PM

SFC Dean Murdock — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 14:36:45 -0500

I would not recommend it. Facebook can sometimes turn an innocent meaningless picture into a compromising event at which time you as a Platoon Sergeant will have to act on. There are several other options for communicating and keeping in touch with soldiers.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jan 28 at 2016 2:40 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 14:40:17 -0500

Don't do it.

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2016 4:09 PM

SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 16:09:44 -0500

This is going to sound like a homer since we are on RP but I would tell you to create an RP page for your platoon. SSG Carlos Madden is that possible to do at that level?

I manage a career field for the AF, so I have roughly 4K people to spread information to and I tried Facebook and it was honestly...a disaster! So I ran into LTC Yinon Weiss at a RAND Corp transition summit and we discussed the potential that RP had for getting that information out. It has worked very well to date and is growing slowly.

I would personally use RP over FB for this sort of thing any day as it has led to more professional discussions and better sharing of info. If you search for Dirtboyz you can go check out our page to see the kinds of things that have been shared on there.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2016 5:05 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 17:05:58 -0500

I started one for my PLT as a PL. It helped keep people informed, post pictures, and build a PLT image. However, my CDR soon told me to stop and had me manage the Troop Facebook page instead. Though I was unhappy about it initially, it was better for the Troop. It had the same effect on the Troop as a whole and allowed me to extend my influence beyond my own PLT. It fostered a unified Troop image rather than than fostering loyalty and pride at the PLT level--better it remain with the Troop as a whole.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Jan 28 at 2016 5:16 PM

CPT Pedro Meza — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 17:16:30 -0500

OPSEC, OPSEC, OPSEC.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 28 at 2016 5:40 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 17:40:45 -0500

I would ask the platoon to see what they thought and who would be the admin. You will probably get more buy in.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Jan 28 at 2016 6:05 PM

Capt Mark Strobl — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 18:05:14 -0500

I am the FB page admin for an military-connected "alumni" group. First, it's a great way to connect a bunch of folks that have passed through the same gates over the years. Great way to post reunion events, local get-togethers, and news of those members. In order to get max participation, I have made it an open page (no secret codes or permission to join). This has some advantages and disadvantages (as SGT Jeremiah B.. The main advantage: I can broad-cast information quickly and efficiently. However, I have had to "block" some FB members who have inappropriately posted --no big deal. The page does require monitoring. So far, so good. However, I would recommend that you assign another "admin" to help. If you get deployed, someone may have to take over.

Good luck, 1SG Private RallyPoint Member!

Response by SN Greg Wright made Jan 28 at 2016 6:36 PM

SN Greg Wright — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 18:36:14 -0500

1SG Private RallyPoint Member Speaking as a guy with an MIS degree....don't. Facebook security blows donkey....well. You know. Make your own forum, imo. I don't use facebook at all, period.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2016 11:42 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 23:42:24 -0500

I maintain my company's page. We are a National Guard unit so we also have community members on it. We don't have it as a secret group but it is a causal place for the support of the our company. FB shouldn't be an official means of disseminating information to soldiers in your unit but more like a hangout. We don't post any operational info but will will post a pic of past events. At times you will see family members come on the page also. I like that idea. Just because that soldier is in that unit that doesn't mean his family can't be a part of that unit. But that would really be something that you would have to establish as to how you will use your page. You could do that or you could just have a page where you only let verified members of your page come onto it. I hope this helps a bit.

Response by 1SG Justin Little made Jan 31 at 2016 10:25 AM

1SG Justin Little — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 10:25:13 -0500

Just make sure you make it so you have to approve each post before it displays on the page or you could be in the hurt locker!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 27 at 2016 8:23 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Feb 2016 20:23:29 -0500

No rooms for secrets! I said no Facebook at all it shows avenues of weakes in our part to keep soldiers inform