Posted on Nov 26, 2014
Should Army Leaders use more Social Media Monitoring?
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Should Army Leaders use more Social Media Monitoring to identify and punish Soldiers who fail to be IAW AR 670-1, and violate Equal Opportunity/Sharp guidelines?
Posted in these groups: 
Army Times
Army Times
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 9
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I think that being a leader in the Army is akin to being a boss in the civilian sector. Granted, the responsibilities and duties are different but the nature of leadership is the same when you boil it down to its basic elements. Every boss has the responsibility of ensuring that his subordinates are doing the right thing and reflecting well upon their organization. Leaders should be checking up on their Soldiers' social media profiles, but not with the intent to punish but rather the intent to enforce good discipline and ensure force protection. If it turns out that soldiers are not living up to the Army Values, regardless of the medium, they should be dealt with in accordance with unit policy and army Regulations.
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SSgt (Join to see)
One way to discourage young NCOs and enlisted is by being overarching. Perhaps planning a visit mutually but giving them room to take care of things Socratically. An an E-5 I was tired of it but more than willing to talk to younger troops, on their own terms. This can be an effective tool as long as it not perceived as spying. Would you like your squadron commander coming in at all hours of the night? We got to let them grow up and if they don't, then they can be dealt with.
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No. Leaders should lead lead their troops, not follow them on social media. Give them some privacy. The ones that fall outside of regulations on social media will hang THEMSELVES. A true leader knows how to use their time more wisely. Monitoring will diminish morale. That's the LAST thing you'd want to do.
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I look at it the same way a leader should be involved in any other way. Leaders are suppose to check up on their troops. Sometimes that means going out to the clubs they frequent, sometimes it means going to the barracks and sometimes it means checking out their social media profiles.
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SSG (ret) William Martin
I am not going to the clubs where my Soldiers go to; I am not going to baby sit them. I am going to give them the trust they have earned so far and let them fly free as a bird in their personal time. Far as FB goes, I have instructed my Soldiers to make their FB totally private meaning anyone not on their friends lists can only go so far. Also, pictures on FB can be very decieving, one sided and create ridiculous perceptions and opinions. I once had a supervisor who questioned me about a picture or comment I posted on my FB. I asked him if was illegal and he told he didn't know. I then asked him if he was offended to stay off my FB page and its none of his business. He said said nothing more.
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SSG V. Michelle Woods
That's your leadership style and if it works for you, have at it. At my last unit, we didn't have a choice. Per my BN CSM, we were expected to stop by the barracks, and per the division CG, all senior leaders had to pull rotational duty in the downtown area each weekend.
As far as pictures being deceiving, of course they can be deceiving as well as postings of any kind. However writing something like "Obama can suck my d***!" should be addressed, in my opinion.
Then again it seems even if you do address it, you may be subjecting yourself to criticism by your leadership for not being sensitive enough to their personal freedoms. Meh...to each his own leadership style.
As far as pictures being deceiving, of course they can be deceiving as well as postings of any kind. However writing something like "Obama can suck my d***!" should be addressed, in my opinion.
Then again it seems even if you do address it, you may be subjecting yourself to criticism by your leadership for not being sensitive enough to their personal freedoms. Meh...to each his own leadership style.
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There could be a reasonable argument for both sides, but do leaders really have the time to monitor everything all of their subordinates do/say on social media? If yes then you bring it up and they just block you from seeing what they do/say, and continue doing what they are doing. If no, are we losing out on a valuable tool to monitor the pulse on how our troops think/feel?
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If the Army wanted a Gestapo, they would create one. I tell my subordinate leaders to stay off their Soldier's FB pages, and don't follow them to the social establishments in town. Unless they are doing something illegal or immoral by Army standard and not their own set personal set of values, don't tell me about it; leave them alone. I often word late and the last thing I am going to do is spend personal time playing Gestapo at clubs and on FB.
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No, not on a routine basis and besides that might lead to being too busy just with that. Especially if you live in the barracks. It is bad enough you have people coming in whenever they want and they make your place like a virtual jail or prison. There may be a need at some point, but not on a general basis. Think privacy.
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And actually you are supposed to let your COC know of your social media pages , and I also I'm in a NCO support group on FB soldier was reported for racist comments three days ago on FB to the installation and the installation looked that soldier up he is no longer in and they responded to the NCO and let them know of the findings so those that think they can get away with this behavior on such avenues think again
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Yes indeed because of the past few days social media is where I see people make very inappropriate comments
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