How does social media affect your military career?

2015-07-09T15:37:18-04:00

I retired in the mid-90's, there was no social media. If it had existed then, I would have avoided it like the plague. Too easy to get drunk and post a career killer you can't take back, just for one example. Why aren't y'all more afraid of being critical of commanders/senior leaders/whomever in your services, with your names on it? Not being sarcastic, serious question.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2015 3:40 PM

2015-07-09T15:40:41-04:00

Exactly as you think it affects them, MSgt J D McKee. I mean, just look at all the SMs that have posted themselves ditching retreat, or acting a fool in uniform! People tend to think that they can do whatever they want on social media because it will never come back to haunt them. They forget that electronic media is around FOREVER!!!!

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jul 9 at 2015 3:40 PM

2015-07-09T15:40:50-04:00

Seems to me like the junior SMs post negative command stuff and are usually counseled by senior RP'ers on using caution.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Jul 9 at 2015 3:42 PM

2015-07-09T15:42:32-04:00

I would say that social media can be a very good thing -- even a great thing. But stupid behavior on social media does not make social media bad -- the individual is responsible for it. For example, many senior leaders in the DoD today have social media accounts, and they choose to use them for positive reasons. If they chose to use them in ways that would be harmful to their careers, then that's their responsibility. I suppose you and I would both agree that social media can be wonderful, as its potential is very powerful -- though when misused it can create problems for the person who chose to take the wrong actions.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2015 3:45 PM

2015-07-09T15:45:17-04:00

This is the only social media I use....so it's a positive effect for me.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 9 at 2015 3:45 PM

2015-07-09T15:45:18-04:00

Google is such a great search engine.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2015 3:49 PM

2015-07-09T15:49:10-04:00

I just have a very nasty dispute with another NCO because she just cross the line. One thing is to constructively criticized one another and other is just to be plain mean and showing the true colors of (her) oneself soul!! In the other hand a warrant who ask question about his or her job on this site or any other having a support S1,BN or Company 1SG is just sending the wrong message!!! Now, my answer was very in the offensive and a little mentoring, reason why I am not afraid of any retaliation! I respect anyone with good or bad gramma therefore I am not afraid!!!!

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Jul 9 at 2015 3:55 PM

2015-07-09T15:55:20-04:00

Exactly why discipline must be utilized at the right time and right frame of mind. This topic was recently addressed at the SWO Summit in Washington DC and a lot of folks are noticing military personnel who claim to be serving, who are posting detrimental things about the service or of personal content. It is not good form to trash the service you volunteered to serve, who pays your paycheck and takes care of your family. Folks need to tighten up the ship and also realize that NOTHING, I mean NOTHING is in a secret box when it comes to social media, here included. If you will not say something to someone in person, then frankly it shouldn't be said here either. Just my .02

Response by SSG Michael Hartsfield made Jul 9 at 2015 4:21 PM

2015-07-09T16:21:34-04:00

I agree with everything said on this topic, especially the comment about if you won't say it in someone's face, don't say it on FaceBook. To caveat (shudder) on this, social media forces those of us that claim to be professional to BE professional. Should those individuals chose not to be professional and behave inappropriately on social media, then they deserve what they get

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Jul 9 at 2015 5:14 PM

2015-07-09T17:14:40-04:00

It can have incredibly positive and negative impacts depending on how it's used. Social media brings an added level of accountability to the user which I see as a good thing. We shouldn't act differently online than we do in person. You can no longer expect that your content won't be seen by colleagues or supervisors at some point. Social media is a very healthy career tool provided each member is using it in the manner of 'always being on parade'.