Social Media Etiquette

Thug Life!

I came into the service during the Cold War...Berlin Wall was still standing, East vs West, and NO social media.  I was in a short range tac nuke unit.  We were given lots of briefings about opsec, comsec, etc...  There was not a huge internet presence, so IF people got in trouble, it was more for bounced checks then poor choices posting stuff on social media.  That was also back in the day where a camera was a camera and used FILM.  No digital media and a phone could NOT take a picture.  I think part of the problem is that there is not a limiting factor that SLOWS them down.  The youngsters that are coming in now, may not have enough understanding of the military to know when to 'hold their cards close'....lets face it, we have ALL done and thought stuff that would rank up there with some of the stuff posted...however, we have pushed past the point that we have to post it. 

Another aspect of Social Media etiquette is not so much about what you post (pics and embarrassing situations that question the profession of arms) but WHEN you post. Having been deployed many times, and also seen and knowing those who have, when some have the opportunity to be home (not on official leave) while the unit is deployed, I think it proper etiquette to not post so much.

Point taken, if for any reason you are on Rear "D" and not with all your friends (on social media) while they are embracing the deployment, posting of nights out with the significant other having wine or beverage of your choice is not appropriate. Showing all the concerts, parties, water skiing and awesome things you are doing while they are deployed is kind of a slap in the face. It is merely my .02 and I exercise this as I have seen it happen so many times. The discussion forward usually turns to the folks in the rear and usually with distaste for the consideration.

#1 booger hook off the bang switch.

#2 it's unprofessional and inappropriate.

And before anyone jumps in with any of that "you wouldn't be saying that if it was a guy" crap. Yes. I would. I don't care if you're male, female, black, white, purple, plaid, gay, straight, moose, mouse, whatever. If you signed your name on the dotted line and you wear the uniform in ANY capacity be it full time or part time, you represent the US Armed Forces and the United States of America. One idiot makes all of us look like fools in the eyes of the country and the world.

Holy $#%^. Her finger is on the trigger. Once again, If i were there I would Sparta Kick her off the desk. This is a fail. If you read the postings on the page they even say that it is a safety No-go. POG-LIFE.

Wow! These is such a different military than the one i served in. This is one of the few times I am happy to be an old man.

She is pretty until you see her with her tattoos. Like drawing a mustache on the Mona Lisa.

It's not okay. It reflects poorly on the person and this facebook post is visible to the entire world. So in addition to the person being unprofessional, it is also an embarrassment to their branch of service because, like it or not, by wearing the uniform you are identifying with your branch of service and are acting as a spokesperson for it.

What does the public see when they see this facebook pic? A crazy drunk boy toy that doesn't know anything about gun safety! This is a great poster FOR advocates of Gun Control and gives the Left ammo when they say things like "Those in the military shouldn't be allowed to own guns."

I am retired and have purposely not put a picture of myself in uniform up as my profile pic, so that if, for example, I am harsh in my criticism of the current Administration (which IMO has not treated the military well and has wreaked havoc on our national security), it is understood that I am doing it as a private citizen who has fulfilled all my military obligations, and in no way am speaking as a representative OF the military, which those on Active Duty are 24/7, like it or not.

That is a good course to teach. It is just crazy what people post...

Human nature...

It's hard to try to explain this without offending someone when I say it's a generational thing, but to me it is. Yes we had idiots back in the late '80s and '90s, but you never had the kind of crap that is displayed today, no one in their right mind regardless of their particular background would do anything like this when in uniform, period. Social media highlights it for us, but it did not happen "back in the day" because Soldiers respected the uniform, they may do this stupid shit in civilians but not in uniform. Todays youth have this sense of entitlement and "I can do what I want, regardless of what you say" attitude, if they didn't you wouldn't see this crap at all. Now before someone gets all butthurt, if the shoe fits, wear it, if not let it go and continue to do the right thing; not every "millennial" or whatever term is used to categorize today's youth, is this way, but far more are than aren't.