What is the proper protocol for senior officers/NCOs to connect with junior officers/NCO/Soldiers in Social Media?

Social media can be very tricky. Currently I am a Drill Sergeant so I will not accept any friend request from former Soldiers that I trained. Now if I was in a regular unit I would consider accepting request from Soldiers. Depending how the Soldier used social media you can monitor their well being or unit morale. Soldiers are more apt to put info out on Facebook before they approach you with a problem. Now I believe some NCOs won't accept Soldiers cause they do not want Soldiers in their personal lives.

I personally would decline or ignore the request until they are no longer part of my command. Then after one of us leaves, then send a request or add them.

As for the awkward moment at work, when you see them after they send the friend request, let them know that you aren't going to add them due to the inappropriateness of the situation. Also explain to them why it would be inappropriate in adding them. That should help diffuse the awkwardness at work.

Sir,

I would think it would be up to personal preference and what you would be the most comfortable with. For example, my husband's 1SG was due to retire but hadn't left the unit yet when my husband had sent him a FB request. (My husband was the training room NCOIC and so worked pretty closely with 1SG). His 1SG politely declined the request at the time and told my husband that he would definitely add him after he cleared the unit which he did. My husband totally understood where he was coming from.