Social Media Etiquette

I don't see it as an issue with Social Media.  I see it as an issue with the person(s) involved.  You cannot stop someone from sharing their thoughts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, Vine, Snapchat, or whatever other social media outlet they may choose to use.  Sure, some of the more recent activities that have made the "front page" of online sources have placed yet another black eye in the collective face of those who serve but again you cannot place the system; you need to look at the people involved.  And this goes beyond just the Service Member(s) directly involved or pictured.  This goes up the entire flag pole.  Seeing a Soldier sitting in his/her car during retreat and not taking a second to walk over there is just as bad as if you have stayed in your car.  You come on here an as one poster below says "shake your fist" and "boo" but talking and doing are two different things.  (Using the collective you by the way not targeting any one person).  

I feel like never have so many negative influences been targeted at our future generations. Twitter, Facebook, Smartphones, Fancy Advertisements, Solicitations, Credit Card Applications with Zero Interest, PG-13 Movies for younger Soldiers should very well be rated R. Growing up in High School being exposed to all of these things it builds into someones character. Great they turn 18 and we hope Basic training enforces NEW STANDARDS. The older Soldiers excuse I suppose is, they are just trying to play catch up with the technology and constantly distracted by it.  Even though seriously, if your computer doesn't have a CAC reader installed on it your Army career isn't going to go that far, lol.

Honestly it all comes down to personal accountability and responsibility. As a person from said generation that grew up with MySpace, Facebook, and the internet in general here's the facts. The unfortunate truth is that people who grew up in this generation suffer from what they feel is an untouchable anonimity. Wahtever they post on social media is untouchable in the real world (ex. You got a problem, fight me in real life scrub). Now what isnt translating is the fact that all these actions have VERY real consequences and I honestly wish the Army would have stepped in a lot sooner to set down some ground rules. Younger people are goiong to be idiots on Social media until the consequences are hit down hard and fast. That's the very sad and real truth.

Instant worldwide access is obviously beyond many young Soldier's capabilities.  That type of access requires forethought and restraint, traits often lacking in the younger generation (and some older generation, for that matter).  What we, as Army leaders do about it is another matter.  Short of banning the use of social media (which opens a whole new realm of problems), I don't think we are going to be able to stop the idiots who are currently embarrasing us.  The best we can do is try to train as many as possible to think before they post and ask one simple question, "Could this post be seen as embarrassing to the military?"  If that question is too complex or esoteric for them, they can always resort to the selfish version, "Could this get me in trouble?" 

*What are Everyones

Lack of professionalism and discipline. People are looking for bad things not the good. Go Delaware!