Should Army Leaders use more Social Media Monitoring?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 15:23:53 -0500

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?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2014 4:22 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 16:22:18 -0500

There could be a reasonable argument for both sides, but do leaders really have the time to monitor everything all of their subordinates do/say on social media? If yes then you bring it up and they just block you from seeing what they do/say, and continue doing what they are doing. If no, are we losing out on a valuable tool to monitor the pulse on how our troops think/feel?

Response by SSG V. Michelle Woods made Nov 26 at 2014 4:30 PM

SSG V. Michelle Woods — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 16:30:57 -0500

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.

Response by MSgt Peter Vatistas made Nov 26 at 2014 4:34 PM

MSgt Peter Vatistas — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 16:34:41 -0500

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.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2014 1:26 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Nov 2014 01:26:44 -0500

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.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2014 1:34 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Nov 2014 01:34:16 -0500

Yes indeed because of the past few days social media is where I see people make very inappropriate comments

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2014 1:38 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Nov 2014 01:38:13 -0500

And actually you are supposed to let your COC know of your social media pages , and I also I'm in a NCO support group on FB soldier was reported for racist comments three days ago on FB to the installation and the installation looked that soldier up he is no longer in and they responded to the NCO and let them know of the findings so those that think they can get away with this behavior on such avenues think again

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2014 2:16 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Nov 2014 02:16:46 -0500

No, not on a routine basis and besides that might lead to being too busy just with that. Especially if you live in the barracks. It is bad enough you have people coming in whenever they want and they make your place like a virtual jail or prison. There may be a need at some point, but not on a general basis. Think privacy.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Nov 28 at 2014 4:20 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Fri, 28 Nov 2014 04:20:25 -0500

If the Army wanted a Gestapo, they would create one. I tell my subordinate leaders to stay off their Soldier's FB pages, and don't follow them to the social establishments in town. Unless they are doing something illegal or immoral by Army standard and not their own set personal set of values, don't tell me about it; leave them alone. I often word late and the last thing I am going to do is spend personal time playing Gestapo at clubs and on FB.

Response by SMSgt Bob Wilson made Oct 22 at 2021 8:45 PM

SMSgt Bob Wilson — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 20:45:33 -0400

No. Also, the troops you lead should be smart enough not to broadcast their life history over social media.