Has social media, and the seeking of advice or opinion, taken over for good old fashion research?

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Thu, 21 Dec 2017 02:49:40 -0500

With things like Facebook pages and RallyPoint, service members are able to ask questions of any number of subject matter experts, officer and NCOs, but has this ability destroyed their ability to pick up a regulation or Pam? Should there be a push to teach young service members and leaders how to locate information themselves from the correct sources?

Response by A1C Ian Williams made Dec 21 at 2017 4:10 AM

A1C Ian Williams — Thu, 21 Dec 2017 04:10:19 -0500

This may be a bit controversial SGT Joseph Gunderson You can bring a horse to water but you cannot make it drink. While mentoring my junior Airmen, I have to keep in mind that my responsibility is to guide. In the case of service members, many feel that the narrow scope of their speciality or only what the Task of the day is of importance. Senior Service members will simply have to either be more patient or learn to manoeuvre around the gaps in curiosity lost on those who only seek reinforcement of their own sliver of opinions on life. PO1 William "Chip" Nagel COL Mikel J. Burroughs SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL TSgt Joe C. COL Charles Williams PFC Private RallyPoint Member

Response by A1C Ian Williams made Dec 21 at 2017 4:18 AM

A1C Ian Williams — Thu, 21 Dec 2017 04:18:19 -0500

Learning about primary, secondary, and erroneous points of reference are jobs for those in elementary, high school and university SGT Joseph Gunderson In the case of Military regs, there should be provisos in the time management to allow research, rote, and study. Yes, Academia in a Military Setting in addition to all the rest of the information which must be drilled past the ignorance that first presents itself. Once you see it from a wider perspective, everyone has a role to play. Ignorance should not be an excuse for poor judgment.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Dec 21 at 2017 4:32 AM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Thu, 21 Dec 2017 04:32:19 -0500

I do not believe social media has made any changes as word of mouth information has gone on far longer than social media has existed. George tells Larry, Larry tells Steve, Steve tells Michelle, and now it is "Army Regulation." Noticed how people write there names often, SGT Smith, Larry? Can you find that anywhere? Formality wise, rank takes the place of MR or MRS and no one writes there name, Mr Smith, Larry. Grammar rules, it is Mr Larry Smith. Word of mouth is far worse than social media.

Response by CSM Chuck Stafford made Dec 21 at 2017 7:11 AM

CSM Chuck Stafford — Thu, 21 Dec 2017 07:11:54 -0500

Give a Man a Fish, and You Feed Him for a Day. Teach a Man To Fish, and You Feed Him for a Lifetime --- Our Army is stronger if it comprised of problem solvers.

and of course the following corollary is true also -- give a man fire and he stays warm for a day, set a man on fire and he stays warm for the rest of his life... ;-) Merry Christmas AATW!

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2017 10:12 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Dec 2017 10:12:32 -0500

If you find a 'good' site, FB group, etc., the person answering the question will usually state (or hyperlink) the relevant reference. Social Media can be a good place to start, but should NOT be accepted as policy without independent confirmation. (Obvious exceptions are if you are asking a doc about doc stuff or a JAG about JAG stuff... those are pretty safe to accept as truth-- but they will usually phrase them as 'their professional opinion' and advise you to seek out a local professional in the field.)

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Dec 21 at 2017 10:34 AM

CSM Richard StCyr — Thu, 21 Dec 2017 10:34:28 -0500

I think we see examples of this daily here on RP. Many questions would be answered if folks would study the regs and FMs. I also don't think leaders are doing as well as they aught to be in training the junior folks on where to find the answers on their own.
There is an other element that seems like folks trying to back door their leadership instead of seeking advise and counsel from their NCO support channel or CoC.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Dec 21 at 2017 10:41 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Thu, 21 Dec 2017 10:41:24 -0500

I agree with you Joe, look at this site. Lower enlisted and wannabes are asking us questions, that they could/should have directed to their NCO's and supervisors. Junior NCO's asking questions that can be answered by looking at the regs. It would be better if their questions, started out with " I have read the regs, but have questions."

Response by PO2 Skip Kirkwood made Dec 21 at 2017 11:20 AM

PO2 Skip Kirkwood — Thu, 21 Dec 2017 11:20:29 -0500

Oh yes. The willingness of people to offer absolutely incorrect advice, and the willingness of people to accept and act on absolutely incorrect advice, is killing me. I'm an attorney - you should see the disasters that people create for themselves. Many of the discussions on RallyPoint go down that path - people asking questions that they should ask only of a JAG officer, getting wrong answers offered by various E4 and E5 who should know better......

Response by SGT Robert Wager made Dec 21 at 2017 11:40 AM

SGT Robert Wager — Thu, 21 Dec 2017 11:40:47 -0500

There should always be a push to educate young soldiers on regulations. If social media is used as another tool in the toolbox then it is fine. Why wouldn't someone want the opinion of literally thousands of active, veteran, or retired members of their service? If my only "research" was to log on to RP to get the entire answer to my question then I am wrong. If I read the reg and want a shotgun blast answer to an interpretation, why not ask?

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Dec 21 at 2017 2:56 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Thu, 21 Dec 2017 14:56:49 -0500

Yes and no. There's nothing wrong with helping out the new blood and pointing them in the right direction. If they were worth their salt, they wouldn't strictly be taking our word for it, they should also seek out the order on their own. But if they're not willing to put in the leg work themselves, then they deserve the ass chewing they receive when they choose to follow outdated information.

Things change, especially in the military. The knowledge we have does have a shelf life, so our words can't be taken for gospel.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2017 3:30 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Dec 2017 15:30:36 -0500

I think people need to be able to find answers. How they do that is up to them. If they want to read the regulations, great. If they want to ask someone online or an NCO, fine. I know that when I was a young enlisted Marine I never read a regulation. I asked my NCO's. Mainly because there was no internet back then. I just assumed my NCO's were correct just like they may assume someone on RP is correct. At the end of the day they just need the answer. And it falls on them to make sure they have the right one. Taking bad advice is a great motivator to read the regulations yourself. I've been there. And while I never touched regs as an E-1, as an O-3 they're bedside reading. But even then, it can get confusing.

Response by Al Reynolds made Dec 23 at 2017 11:08 PM

Al Reynolds — Sat, 23 Dec 2017 23:08:15 -0500

Good point... my first flippant thought was to suggest everyone learn how to read at a six
grade level.... but then I remember how a few members referenced this manual you are talking about and that is why the question(s). Apparently the manual doesn't make all things clear to all people.... thus, the questions.... I imagine Social Media has changed the way we seek information?