What do you think of the Army's new way ahead for social media conduct?

2015-07-08T23:38:32-04:00

It appears the Army is once again updating AR 600-20 - Army Command Policy, to ensure Soldiers can no longer hide behind social media and say whatever they please... Bully, assault etc..

Army Values, if you actually live them... are in effect 24/7, not just when you are on duty....

In my view, if you would not say it face to face, in a public place, you probably should not typing it...

Bout time in my view.

The Army tiger team has outlined three lines of effort to achieve their goal of curbing non-professional behavior by Soldiers online. Those lines of effort were released to the Army, June 16, as part of an implementation plan called "Professionalization of Online Conduct."

1. The first is to update existing policy and regulations to reflect more accurately the social media landscape. They also will develop a report for senior Army leadership on online-related incidents. The report will collate incident information from Army staff offices.

2. The team also has a line of effort related to training, to "provide commanders and leaders the information and tools they need to educate others and respond appropriately to complaints; train current and future Soldiers, Army civilians, and contractors on how to protect themselves, identify and prevent inappropriate behavior and report online-related incidents."

3. Finally, the Army public affairs community is tasked with ensuring the Army community is aware of what online misconduct looks like, the training resources that are available, and the policy changes that are going to be made.

What say you, you Social Media aficionados?

http://www.army.mil/article/150887/Army_lines_of_effort_to_define_proper_online_conduct/

Army lines of effort to define proper online conduct

"How do we ensure Army values-based conduct to prevent and respond to harm inflicted through the use of electronic communication?" Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno asked for an answer to that question earlier this year - in the wake of revelations at the February 2015 SHARP Summit in Washington D.C.

Response by SSgt Scott Schwerman made Jul 8 at 2015 11:43 PM

2015-07-08T23:43:32-04:00

No one should hide behind it no matter where they are. So by each branch making regulations like this is a good step forward.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2015 12:04 AM

2015-07-09T00:04:44-04:00

Sir, I saw this earlier, I knew something formal would be put out in regards to social media conduct. I also posted a question about whether or not social media does more bad than good for our Military members. I've been in multiple talks about how social media has made Leaders lose the are art of effective communication and true mentorship. Basically saying that social media makes leaders lazier.

Response by SSG Melvin Nulph made Jul 9 at 2015 3:47 AM

2015-07-09T03:47:51-04:00

I find it hard to believe soldiers that know, "They are a soldier 24/7/365", have to be told that their actions on line (for some) are wrong. On the Enlisted side of the house it shows that the NCO's needed a wake-up call & I am glad that he gave it to them. I never felt I needed to know the way the Officers ran their stuff, trust me sir, when I had a squad or the time I had a platoon and others I had no time to deal with much more. People in general never cease to surprise me.
Keeping up with the changes of the world, ways of the internet or what ever you want to call it, would be a major pain in the backside, that's no joke. I wish them the best and can only hope the NCO's in today do not have to get the help I do on their PC's. Respect, Honor & Morales are still their best friends, I wish them luck.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Jul 9 at 2015 4:05 AM

2015-07-09T04:05:51-04:00

Here we go. "Sir, I was offended by someone's Facebook page....PVT Snuffy says he loves Jesus Christ and that offends me deeply since I am not a Christian....I keep on visiting his page"
"Sir, I told PVT Snuffy I think people should have the right to stomp on the American flag and he said I was an ungreatful liberal socialist...now I full bullied online"
No matter, how serious or silly a complaint is, the unit will be legally bound to investigate. I have already witnessed it. The military and the civilian sector are filled with spineless, weak, and thin skinned individuals. I hope units will weed out the frivolous complaints.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2015 12:05 PM

2015-07-09T12:05:50-04:00

While I agree with your sentiment about living the Army values, or even just being man enough to say something to someone's face, I think that Army lawyers are going to struggle to successfully prosecute anyone.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2015 12:16 PM

2015-07-09T12:16:36-04:00

I hate "Tiger" teams. They come up with ideas without holistically wargaming the potential situations. They produce results and then policy comes into alignment with the proposals. It may be determined that it is impossible to prosecute when PVT A calls SGT Z an ass@#$% on Facebook when PVT A denies it and says that someone else (kid, wife, friend, dog) did it when they were on their laptop. That will become the common defense.
Reminds me of the shaving while on leave thing that came around. I believe that legal review trumped that.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Jul 9 at 2015 1:02 PM

2015-07-09T13:02:07-04:00

I think this is the Army's way of covering their 4th point of contact. We all have seen the results of some service members' lack of thinking prior to posting something publicly. Now, if/when Soldiers post something that should never see the light of day, the Army can point to the regulation and go from there. It also stands to remind all of those that serve that everyone around you knows. Heck, you are spotted from a million miles away. I had an example of this last night. I was going out to eat dinner with some friends and as we were walking in, I noticed a young man walking with his family. He had it all, the short hair, the jeans with his desert boots and a knife hanging off his hip. I turned to my one friend and said "I bet you the first round of drinks that he's a Private in the Army". The deal was made and I approached the young man, identified myself and asked him. I was spot on. He is home on leave from basic training gearing up to head to AIT in the next few days. Social media is no different. And people assiociate what we say and do as service members and Veterans as a direct reflection on not just the branch we served in but on all branches and all those that are and have served.