Posted on Nov 26, 2014
SFC Transportation Management Coordinator
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Should Army Leaders use more Social Media Monitoring to identify and punish Soldiers who fail to be IAW AR 670-1, and violate Equal Opportunity/Sharp guidelines?
Posted in these groups: Times Army Times
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Responses: 9
CPT Cyber Warfare Officer
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I think that being a leader in the Army is akin to being a boss in the civilian sector. Granted, the responsibilities and duties are different but the nature of leadership is the same when you boil it down to its basic elements. Every boss has the responsibility of ensuring that his subordinates are doing the right thing and reflecting well upon their organization. Leaders should be checking up on their Soldiers' social media profiles, but not with the intent to punish but rather the intent to enforce good discipline and ensure force protection. If it turns out that soldiers are not living up to the Army Values, regardless of the medium, they should be dealt with in accordance with unit policy and army Regulations.
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SSgt Forensic Meteorological Consultant
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One way to discourage young NCOs and enlisted is by being overarching. Perhaps planning a visit mutually but giving them room to take care of things Socratically. An an E-5 I was tired of it but more than willing to talk to younger troops, on their own terms. This can be an effective tool as long as it not perceived as spying. Would you like your squadron commander coming in at all hours of the night? We got to let them grow up and if they don't, then they can be dealt with.
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MSgt Peter Vatistas
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No. Leaders should lead lead their troops, not follow them on social media. Give them some privacy. The ones that fall outside of regulations on social media will hang THEMSELVES. A true leader knows how to use their time more wisely. Monitoring will diminish morale. That's the LAST thing you'd want to do.
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SSG V. Michelle Woods
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I look at it the same way a leader should be involved in any other way. Leaders are suppose to check up on their troops. Sometimes that means going out to the clubs they frequent, sometimes it means going to the barracks and sometimes it means checking out their social media profiles.
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SSG (ret) William Martin
SSG (ret) William Martin
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I am not going to the clubs where my Soldiers go to; I am not going to baby sit them. I am going to give them the trust they have earned so far and let them fly free as a bird in their personal time. Far as FB goes, I have instructed my Soldiers to make their FB totally private meaning anyone not on their friends lists can only go so far. Also, pictures on FB can be very decieving, one sided and create ridiculous perceptions and opinions. I once had a supervisor who questioned me about a picture or comment I posted on my FB. I asked him if was illegal and he told he didn't know. I then asked him if he was offended to stay off my FB page and its none of his business. He said said nothing more.
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SSG V. Michelle Woods
SSG V. Michelle Woods
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That's your leadership style and if it works for you, have at it. At my last unit, we didn't have a choice. Per my BN CSM, we were expected to stop by the barracks, and per the division CG, all senior leaders had to pull rotational duty in the downtown area each weekend.
As far as pictures being deceiving, of course they can be deceiving as well as postings of any kind. However writing something like "Obama can suck my d***!" should be addressed, in my opinion.

Then again it seems even if you do address it, you may be subjecting yourself to criticism by your leadership for not being sensitive enough to their personal freedoms. Meh...to each his own leadership style.
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