Posted on Nov 29, 2014
Do you think it's a good idea to have social media connections like FB, Twitter and Instagram with your subordinates and leaders?
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We all can see what happens when you vent and voice your opinions in certain areas, you'll get an OTH. It made me wonder if it's even a good idea to add your fellow brothers and sisters you serve with on these social media platforms. We all have different views and opinions but sometimes it can land us in hot water. I believe certain things should just be kept to yourself or a group you can confide in because then this happens.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/marine-sgt-gary-stein-honorable-discharge-anti-obama/story?id=16216279
http://abcnews.go.com/US/marine-sgt-gary-stein-honorable-discharge-anti-obama/story?id=16216279
Social Media
Discharge
Freedom of Speech
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 12
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Here is the thing to keep in mind, you are given a Social Media Education on what you can and cannot do frequently so knowing that, putting anything remotely against your command is done at your own risk. Personally I moved on from my own irritation and tend to just vent to the wife or someone else about it, somewhere not in written form.
As a military member we indeed sacrificed things like free speech. Does it mean that you are wrong? Not necessarily. It just means that we are one unit and need to keep that mentality alive. I don't mind who I add because I don't really use social media that much but if you do, you do so knowing the risks.
As a military member we indeed sacrificed things like free speech. Does it mean that you are wrong? Not necessarily. It just means that we are one unit and need to keep that mentality alive. I don't mind who I add because I don't really use social media that much but if you do, you do so knowing the risks.
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SrA (Join to see)
Agreed. Even if it's just a silly social media site, you still need to understand your position and whom you are. I digress to my wife and that's pretty much it.
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SrA (Join to see)
Indeed, you as well. I like to learn as much as I can from others to avoid making my own mistakes.
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SrA (Join to see),
Speaking from the subordinate's perspective, I do think it's a good idea. Even though most of my Facebook posts are locked down, I realize that anything I post had better be suitable for broadcast worldwide on CNN, because that's where it could end up. If I'd be embarrassed for my mother, pastor, or CO to see what I'm posting, then I need to adjust fire.
In short, having your coworkers as friends on social media provides accountability. Also, it is good for building camaraderie.
Speaking from the subordinate's perspective, I do think it's a good idea. Even though most of my Facebook posts are locked down, I realize that anything I post had better be suitable for broadcast worldwide on CNN, because that's where it could end up. If I'd be embarrassed for my mother, pastor, or CO to see what I'm posting, then I need to adjust fire.
In short, having your coworkers as friends on social media provides accountability. Also, it is good for building camaraderie.
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SrA (Join to see)
You know that's really true in regards to providing accountability. For example in the worst case scenario, we've known members to have committed suicide and many of our leaders and subordinates were either out of the loop or just didn't see the telltale signs. Come to find out the person whom committed suicide in fact posted many suspicious statuses on his/her FB, Twitter, etc. If his leaders or subordinates had some form of social media connection with that person, a suicide intervention could've taken place. This is a prime example of what you're proposing. I definitely agree with your angle. It's just that we have to be responsible in every aspect our lives, including social media platforms. OPSEC!! Thank you for your input! Gave me a different point of view.
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CSM Charles Hayden
SPC Shelby Thundercloud, WOW! "Adjust Fire", that sounds like you were trained as a11C.
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SGT (Join to see)
CSM Charles Hayden, haha, that figures. I know nothing about infantry tasks, but I use the terms that my Drill Sergeants taught us, and our DSs were infantry. ;)
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So i have had my leaders and subordinates on my Facebook i learned the hard way that my opinion on a certain Senior Chief in the command should not of been put online. I got lucky and my Senior Chief used this incident as a teaching moment.
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