This is a pretty bare bones Power Point presented by the Army titled “Online Etiquette: 5 Things every Solider should know.” When you scroll through the 8 slide presentation just substitute firefighter for soldier and you can see the parallels in online social media interaction etiquette between the two services.
The language is a little harsh in the example used in slide 4 but it is a good example of whatever you say online quickly becomes public record for all the world to see.
OPSEC means Operational Security.
Social media considerations for commanders – Presentation Transcript
Online etiquette 5 things every Soldier should know
OPSEC applies on-line, too
- Names/photographs of important people
- Present and future U.S. capabilities
- Meetings of top officials
- News about U.S. diplomacy
- U.S. positions
- Important government places
- Information about military facilities:
- - Location
- - Units
- - Weapons used
- - Fortifications & tunnels
- - Amount of lighting
- - Exterior size and shape
- - Number of soldiers & officers
- - Ammunition depot locations
- - Leave policies
- - Brigades and names of companies
- - Degree & speed of mobilization
Remember UCMJ in your online interactions
Got a beef with your commander? Hate the latest Army policy? Save it for your memoirs. Do you have photos of yourself in uniform on your Facebook profile? Think about how your status messages reflect upon the Army.
What you say online doesn’t stay online
Status messages or posts, particularly as they pertain to your chain of command or coworkers, can have real life repercussions
Stay in your lane
If you’re not the expert on a military topic, don’t comment like you are. Keep in mind: reporters can quote online interactions.
Talk to your family
Educate your spouse and family members on OPSEC, and PII. Basic tips for social media include: -Don’t friend anyone you don’t know on Facebook or social networking platforms -Don’t post deployment information, when you’re going on vacation or when your spouse/parent will be away. -Know how to set your privacy settings, and use them.
Bottom line:
- If you wouldn’t want Osama, or your mama to see it, DON’T POST IT ONLINE!!
Also on The Fire PIO…
- 360 Degree Social Media – August 19, 2010
- Should we use social media as a crisis or emergency unfolds? – November 9, 2010
- Some Simplistic thoughts on Social Media – December 17, 2010
- PR Distribution in a Social Media World – August 18, 2010
Americans want to know first-hand what is going on on the other side of the world, where our troops are stationed and representing us. We have a right, as well as our soldiers, to know what is going on over there. I feel very strongly about the military easing up on their “rules” for social media.