Should questions and discussions be shared on both RallyPoint and Facebook?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 10:39:07 -0500

I keep my separate Social Media accounts separate, however I have noticed that I am getting asked more and more to link them. Other than I am LTC J Keith Purvis here, and just J Keith Purvis there, does it really matter?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2015 11:22 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 11:22:30 -0500

Sir, it just depends on the individual as well as which responses are worthy, subjectively speaking of course, to be posted on Facebook.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2015 11:27 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 11:27:54 -0500

That is your call Sir. I choose not to, but my profiles are linked. Rallypoint is not authorized to post for me.

You can also set your privacy setting so that only you see what Rallypoint posts..... in case you are worried about the two meeting. I did that with my exercise programs because I don't care to broadcast when I am working out to the whole world....... and I am sure that they appreciate it.
V/R,
CPT Butler

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Feb 28 at 2015 11:29 AM

SGT Jim Z. — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 11:29:16 -0500

I limit linking RallyPoint and Facebook unless it something that may interest friends I have on Facebook, i.e. job fairs, resume advice, etc... Also I have many veterans on Facebook that have not heard of RallyPoint and it is a way for them to connect and look at RallyPoint.

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Feb 28 at 2015 11:47 AM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 11:47:38 -0500

Sir,
That really is your call, I would recommend you do not link them though. Social media branding is critical these days and if you have a private social media life (as much as it can be private), it is a good idea to keep it separate from your professional forums.
Some people are very much who they are on and off duty and there is no separation between private and professional life though... I tend to refer to that as lack of life balance, myself.

Another consideration is OPSEC, or probably more to the point, PERSEC. Threats to the military and their family is getting more common these days and improperly linking accounts gives an inside advantage to malcontents looking for easy targets. True, there are a lot of people out there that say "bring it on," but most of them have limited contact with their families (usually because of their professional life and work-life balance). This is also an argument for not placing military pictures or referencing your military career on your facebook (or similar social media sites).

If you do maintain a "Professional" facebook account (might not hurt for post career professional development) that separates your military contacts from your family and friends contacts, then linking to create a cohesive brand between LinkedIn, Facebook, RallyPoint, etc... can be good preparation for separation.