Has Social Media become part of your Friday safety briefs?

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 00:30:46 -0500

If so, what are you saying to your soldiers? 

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2014 12:34 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 00:34:39 -0500

Yes. It has to be in this climate.

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Mar 4 at 2014 2:13 PM

1SG Steven Stankovich — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 14:13:46 -0500

When I initially read the question, I laughed a little bit.  Then I thought, yep, if I still had my Diamond, I would absolutely talk about social media in my weekly safety briefs.  I used to always explain that if any of them would call me before they do something stupid, I would be there for them to help them out.  I further explained that if they called me after the police or MPs were on scene, my ability to favorably help them out diminished exponentially.  Same thing with social media.  If you are upset or frustrated with something, sit down and lets talk about it.  If you sit at home, maybe have a few adult beverages, and get all fired up at something, and then "post," my ability to favorably help you out has diminished exponentially.  It is very difficult to pull back something that you have posted on the internet...regardless of the intent.  Think before you post and for the love of all things holy, don't drink and post...

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2014 4:20 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 16:20:45 -0500

I always tell my troops that the INET is just a communication device, and if you wouldn't say it to your Chain of Command with full responsibility for your actions then to not post it on social media. Due to the ambiguous nature of the INET things can also sometimes be interrupted as not intended, and it is always better to meet face to face and try to resolve an issue. As my SGL at WLC always said "If it would make a good news story on CNN, DONT' DO IT!"

Response by CSM Michael Poll made Mar 4 at 2014 4:30 PM

CSM Michael Poll — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 16:30:17 -0500

It unfortunatly has, I beleive with the recent craziness that is transpiring with pictures and comments that it is necessarry for all Commands to incorperate this into thier briefings, to, once again, remind Soldiers that what is posted can and will be used against them if they are out of pocket with thier statements or photos.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2014 7:48 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 19:48:09 -0500

Have we sunk so low as to consider Social Media a "safety" issue? Sorry, had to play devil's advocate.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2014 9:56 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 21:56:11 -0500

Having been in the military for 16 years I have given my troops a lot of different briefings ranging from holiday safety briefings, weekend safety briefings and summer heat/critter safety briefings. I never thought in my wildest dreams I would pull my platoon into my warehouse after formation at the start of Drill to discuss the latest social network disgraces who wear military uniforms. Yes that may sound like a label, but that's exactly what those Soldiers and Airman are and that's exactly what I told my platoon. I told them we ALL need to heed to the customs and courtesies that we have been taught. Salute our Officers and our flag. Stand at parade rest for our NCO's senior to us and keep in mind what we say. Look like and conduct ourselves as professionals and keep in mind that what we post on the internet is out of our control the moment we press the "submit" button.

It's a pity that we as NCO's now have to emphasize these points, but that's the price we pay now for the modernized and technologically advanced society we live in.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2014 10:14 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 22:14:52 -0500

Social Media as it pertains to safety (Texting and driving)YES.

As far as writing stupid things on Facebook or posting stupid pictures, NO.