What advice would you give ROTC cadets about online identity awareness?

2013-12-05T23:07:11-05:00

I am going to speak to about ~90 or so ROTC cadets next week on the topic of "Online Identity Awareness for Cadets."  I want to cover some of the basics -- be careful about UCMJ violations, be careful about certain political speech, think about OPSEC, etc.  However, I don't want the whole thing to be "thou shalt nots." I also want to talk about how leaders can use social media to disseminate information, to get the pulse of their troops, to communicate with loved ones on deployment, etc.  <div><br></div><div><div>I figured RallyPoint Nation was the best place to ask this question:  What advice would you give to a huge room full of future 2LTs on the subject of online identity awareness?  <br></div><div><br></div><div>Any specific vignettes about social media (good, bad, or indifferent) from your time deployed, in garrison, in work-ups, or anywhere in between would be much appreciated...thanks in advance!  Even if it's just your own experiences w/FB, Twitter, etc., or about how you use RallyPoint to look at duty stations or assignment possibilities, that would be awesome, too...</div></div>

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Dec 6 at 2013 6:57 AM

2013-12-06T06:57:27-05:00

As Officers in the Military, they are representatives of the United States Government. They are the best advocates for themselves, the military and the US Government.<br>They Should:<br>#1 Be Professional, present a positive image at all times<br>#2 Be conscious of their online presence and its associated image/perception<br>#3 Social Media and Networking, do it<br>#4 Generate Content - Blogs allow opportunities for publishing personal opinion and professional content without waiting for a journal to pick up your article. Practice makes perfect. <br>#5 Be situationally aware; you're profiles/pages on AKO-S, AKO, RP, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, e-blog etc. represent different levels of exposure, content appropriate on one may not be appropriate for another.<br>#6 Showcase yourself- Lessons learned, professional readings, best practices<br>#7 invite constructive criticism- feedback is critical to development<br>#8 Good content will drown out bad - eventually<br>#9 Keep Professional and personal separate to the best of your ability<br>#10 unplug on a regular basis<br>

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2014 7:57 PM

2014-03-10T19:57:42-04:00

As a TAC Officer, I have gone online and researched all of my OC's.  It is amazing the things that they put online.  I've always said that if you're mother would be embarrassed to see it, you shouldn't have it up.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2014 6:52 PM

2014-03-12T18:52:48-04:00

I always post something with the idea that someone is watching and I like to think I follow it more often than not but I'm sure I've slipped up once or twice.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2014 1:57 AM

2014-08-06T01:57:52-04:00

NEVER post any photo, text, comment, or other data that could be taken out of context and/or otherwise used to your/your colleagues discredit/disadvantage.

Be very very cautious about personal and operational security - including the fact many photographs and other innocuous content include GPS coordinates.

NEVER create digital content including revealing / embarrassing photographs because trusted friends/anonymous adversaries may distribute your content.

NOTHING - NO MATTER HOW BAD - EVER TRULY DISAPPEARS FROM THE INTERNET ! ! !

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2014 7:26 PM

2014-08-06T19:26:21-04:00

I always have 3 things i keep in mind when i post most anything on social media where i can be identified as me. 1 Would my mom aprove of it? 2 Would my chain of command mast me for it? 3 Could it bring discredit upon myself, the navy, or the DOD?