What is proper online conduct?

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 13:11:59 -0400

The growing influence of social media and other information sharing mediums is undeniable. Realizing this fact, the Army is attempting to define proper online conduct and prevent negative influence on the force as a whole. This can happen without intent and devastate individuals or worse put people in harms way. What are your thoughts on what proper online conduct is?

http://www.army.mil/article/150887

Army lines of effort to define proper online conduct

"How do we ensure Army values-based conduct to prevent and respond to harm inflicted through the use of electronic communication?" Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno asked for an answer to that question earlier this year - in the wake of revelations at the February 2015 SHARP Summit in Washington D.C.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Jul 9 at 2015 1:13 PM

SCPO David Lockwood — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 13:13:27 -0400

Basically you shouldn't wirte anthything that you wouldn't say face to face.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2015 1:14 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 13:14:18 -0400

If you don't want to see your comments in the news publically attributed to you, don't post it.

Response by LCpl Mark Lefler made Jul 9 at 2015 1:16 PM

LCpl Mark Lefler — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 13:16:51 -0400

I'd have to say for active duty dont post anything that could get you njp'd or court martialed.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Jul 9 at 2015 1:33 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 13:33:33 -0400

One of the huge things that people forget everywhere, including RP, is to not make it personal. I have been subjected to numerous personal attacks because of my positions on controversial issues. You can feel free to argue or debate, but comments like "you need help" cross the line, and if I'm not mistaken, are against the RP tenets...

As SCPO David Lockwood notes, the (first) Golden Rule always applies...

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jul 9 at 2015 1:37 PM

COL Charles Williams — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 13:37:04 -0400

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member That is easy, in my view, don't type it, text it, unless you would say it face to face, with others present. Would you say it with you mom, boss, 1SG, etc present?

On email, a rule I found was useful... If you are pissed... type the email... save it as a draft... Don't Send!!!! And, then the next day, read it again, and see if you still want to hit send. I suspect in all cases you will edit it, before you send. I suspect in most cases, you will not send it. Never email or text when you are amped up... Catharsis..

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Jul 9 at 2015 1:38 PM

SGT Jeremiah B. — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 13:38:13 -0400

I was part of a community that called it Coffeehouse Conduct. If you wouldn't say or do it to a friend over coffee, don't do it. Passion, conviction and assertiveness? Okay. Accusations, character assassination and name calling? Not okay.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jul 9 at 2015 1:43 PM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 13:43:07 -0400

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member Common sense first and foremost. Things you post online will stay there the rest of your days on this earth with today's technology. Respectful! The term we learned way back in our first computer class: "Garbage in - Garbage Out!" There are a lot of young kids today posting pictures and saying things that they may regret someday! Then again there is so much garbage out there maybe they won't.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jul 9 at 2015 1:46 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 13:46:33 -0400

I'm going to try to phrase this in such a way to not come off snarky, because that is not my intent.

The military, from a regulatory standpoint is ill-prepared to deal with the realities of anonymous electronic global communications.

At any given time we have at least three generations serving. The current Flag Officers have 30-40 years in (Gen Odierno joined in 1976). They joined before the Internet, before cell phones, before personal computers. The current generation has never lived without those things. The next generation won't know what "pay phones" or "pagers" are. This isn't to call them old, it's just to highlight the vastly DIFFERENT worlds they grew up in.

For us, there was no "anonymity." There was no gamertags, or screennames, or calling someone dirty names from 3000 miles away. That concept is just foreign. For the current and next generations, other people aren't "real." They don't care what someone they'll likely never interact with thinks. Trying to explain the golden rule is like trying to explain a rainbow to a dog.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 9 at 2015 1:47 PM

PO1 John Miller — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 13:47:36 -0400

Private Internet communications are not private.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2015 2:00 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 14:00:58 -0400

I don't think applying the Army Values will fail you. Neither will the golden rule or the idea that if you wouldn't say it to someone's face then don't say it online.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2015 2:19 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 14:19:23 -0400

For service members this is cut and dry. There are governing directives that tell you what is and is not acceptable. For retirees and veterans, this is the gray area. I tend to treat it as, "What would I say if you were standing right in front of me?" I feel we can respectfully disagree with someone both personally and professionally but do it in such a way that reflects well upon yourself and service.

DON released guidance in June 2010 regarding unofficial internet posts:
http://www.public.navy.mil/necc/hq/Documents/Unofficial_Posts_Explained[1].pdf
USMC Social Media Guidance for unofficial posts:
http://www.marines.mil/News/SocialMedia/Guidance.aspx

Response by Sgt Mark Ramos made Jul 9 at 2015 2:55 PM

Sgt Mark Ramos — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 14:55:59 -0400

Don't be disagreeable in your disagreements. If your position differs, explain it.

Response by SSG Paul Setterholm made Jul 9 at 2015 4:08 PM

SSG Paul Setterholm — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 16:08:28 -0400

90% of communications is nonverbal. Body language,facial expressions, and voice inflection make up the other 90. So being online can easily be misconstrued. It is always difficult to make a point without someone reading into your comment.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2015 12:22 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 12:22:22 -0400

I am late to the conversation, so I am beating the dead horse by saying "Be professional, all the time". I think that is the simple, safe answers.

That being said, there are some digital venues that I want to speak with friends from high school (20+ years ago) or college, that I would prefer my Soldiers not see (it doesn't help 41 y/o Patrick to have people I lead learn too much about the stupid mistakes I made as 20 y/o Patrick). As much as I can, I try to compartmentalize my social media...Facebook is for (actual) friends and family, and I strive to stay within "safe" boundaries on that...avoiding politics or hot social issues (I think those are better face to face anyway)...as a rule for me, I don't "friend" subordinates on FB until they retire...excessive maybe, but its a line I drew to avoid "digital fraternization"

I use Linkdin to network with anyone...old Soldiers, Cadets, civilian colleagues, etc.

Rallypoint isn't something I have completely figured out yet...For me, to stay safe, I defer to my initial point of being respectful, professional and understanding what I type has consequences.

Response by SSG David Opsahl made Jul 14 at 2015 6:32 PM

SSG David Opsahl — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 18:32:41 -0400

I believe that it is self evident that proper online conduct is the same as face to face conduct. That being said I have noticed that the people most concerned about the influence of social media are the ones that most want to keep the "good-old-boy network" and the "golden-boy" selection going. The influence of social media means that these unfair, biased and subjective methods that have been used so long to promote the undeserving are finally being exposed and the field is being leveled. I observe that the "leadership" uses all means at their disposal to obtain the result they want no matter how much manipulation of the paper trail is required. The only reason that the top brass wants new regulations that specifically cover social media is they feel that it will restore their power to manipulate things so that their favorites can not be derailed from the promotion trajectory that is envisioned for them. It won't work, the genie is OUT of the bottle and can not be forced back in.

Response by CW2 Max Dolan made Jul 15 at 2015 9:40 AM

CW2 Max Dolan — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 09:40:17 -0400

Proper online conduct? "If in doubt, DON'T" comment!" Once you hit that "submit" button, it is usually a done deal. If I knew how to do it, I'd have a way to send all of my emails to "drafts" automatically, too.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Jul 17 at 2015 9:13 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 21:13:20 -0400

Same as real life conduct.

Response by 1SG Harold Piet made Jul 22 at 2015 6:23 PM

1SG Harold Piet — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 18:23:33 -0400

On line behavior for a soldier is just like in person behavior, If it is illegal to do in person it is illegal to do online. Disrespect and Insubordination is disrespect or insubordination.