Posted on Dec 27, 2014
SFC Psd
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PFC Aaron Knapp
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I understand we need to be better about our online status on social media but an Arcom for this?? I don't think so..You answer the question with your Yes..Its her job...an Arcom is above and beyond the call of duty.
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CW5 Jim Steddum
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I believe leaders should monitor Social Media of their subordinates, but on the spot correction and education are appropriate in 99% of cases of public posts.
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SFC Signals Intelligence Analyst
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I believe that 1SG Moerk was attempting to do the right thing. As NCOs, we have SHARP training constantly shoved in our faces for the purpose of combating rape and sexual harassment, and as leaders, we aren't well-equipped to deal with the often hateful and exploitative nature of social media, so we handle it differently.

Some of us turn a blind eye, citing freedom of speech. I tend do this, because it's easier, and in my mind, a Soldier's lack of professionalism and respect will catch up with them in the long run, and they will either get right or discontinue their service. That's what I tell myself, anyways.

I see that a lot of people angry that 1SG Moerk got an ARCOM for what she did. However, are they mad that she called people out, or mad that she involved SHARP, or mad that it escalated or just mad that she got an ARCOM? I seriously doubt she went seeking an award, so that has no bearing on whether her actions were right or wrong. They are two separate issues.
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SSG Training Sergeant
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Definitely two different issues - the ARCOM though should have been more for her role with SHARP and less emphasis on trolling social media. The way the award was written and presented cheapens it for those who deserve the award for greater accomplishments than this.
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Lt Col Instructor Navigator
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This is ridiculous. Dumb, dumb, dumb.

This will only encourage the people in her command to avoid friending her or liking the unit, and further degrade the lines of communication in her chain of command.

Let this be a lesson about making sure your privacy settings are where you want them on social media, also being aware that those privacy settings are magic bullets that somehow lock out the rest of the world.
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MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
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Seriously, the chain of command had nothing better to do that day??
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CMSgt Mark Lewis
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I agree that as a 1st Sgt she should ensure personnel know and follow the rules regarding social media. But is this worthy of a military decoration? I do not think so.

All NCOs and SNCOs need to be aware of DoD guidelines for professional and personal use of social media. They should also be willing uphold those standards even if that means saying something to people using social media inappropriately but that action certainly does warrant a decoration.
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SSG Tim Everett
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Edited >1 y ago
I saw this on Facebook and the "warrior culture" friends of mine were outraged. Me personally, I served in the 74worst at Ft Meade and I'm neither surprised nor shocked. This is typical par for the course. Edit: regarding the ARCOM for something like this. So that's why I voted no.

With regards to the actions she took, absolutely call people out. However, calling John Lillyea an asshat, however deserved *I* feel that was, was unprofessional.
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CPT Aviation Combined Arms Operations
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What you say on Social Media is the same as saying it in person. If you make inappropriate comments online you should be stopped, and as a bystander, if you see that happening you have a duty to stop it.
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CPT Aviation Combined Arms Operations
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And as for being deserving of the ARCOM, that's not on her. If we want to debate if her higher ups were correct or not, then there's another debate. While the post was titled to discuss if she is ARCOM worthy for her actions, what I see on here is a personal attack on her as to if her actions were warranted or not--which I believe they were.
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SSG Observer   Controller/Trainer
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She did her job. Should I get an ARCOM for telling a Soldier to put their cell away while doing road guard duty during PT? Ummm No! She did her job. This is political more than anything. She is an NCO and made a correction like most of us do on a daily basis. So this is another overblown award like a TOC NCO getting a BSM and NEVER seeing combat!
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MSgt Security Forces
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While I commend her for doing the right thing and calling people out about an issue the fact the Army gave her an ARCOM for doing it is disgusting at best. What does it say about leadership that gives out a medal for stuff like this. If this is the case where is my medal for every time I correct a fellow service member for for doing something out of line with the regs. SAD!!!!
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