Posted on Mar 10, 2014
SPC David Wyckoff
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I have searched through the archives and I have found several discussions that pertain to SMs and social media. They are always negative connotations with regards to what SMs are posting.


There are websites, specifically Facebook pages, such as USAWTFM, Beer for the Fallen, Tipping Point with Boone and ASMDSS that have actually rallied other SMs and veterans to the aid of SMs who were lost, stranded, needing advice, needing help in real time.
I watched the other week as one of those pages brought together enough money to help a soldier that had his transmission go out and was stranded. I believe he was trying to PCS. The page used a donation website and brought together hundreds of page fans to donate small amounts of money to repair the car and get the SM on his way with a little extra gas money. They even got a vet in the area to do the work for little to no cost.


 


Has anyone seen, been involved with or highlighted in their Friday safety briefings the ways social media can be used positively?


It might be worth it to add to the Friday Safety brief that SMs, especially the younger ones that live by email and FB or similar medias, to use that to keep tabs on their battles.


Just got to thinking this weekend, decided to share.


 

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MAJ Multifunctional Logistician
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SPC Wyckoff,



My personnal opinion. Social media is a powerful tool in our Army today,
which has the potential to be a positive influence on an organization as well
as a distraction to good order and discipline.



As a company commander I used Facebook as a way to integrate family members
who wanted the information from the company, but didn't want to show up for FRG
events. I appreciated the fact that not everyone wants to be involved in those
groups, yet still want to stay informed. We would share photos, stories, and
highlight promotions. In an attempt to keep our company page on the up and up,
I had two volunteers (one officer, one NCO) that monitored the content and kept
things running smoothly.



Back to your point. I think it is definitely something commanders should
leverage in their formations. Many of my NCOs used FB to stay in touch with
their Soldiers and in one extreme case, prevented a planned suicide through the
use of FB (early indicator).



It’s the leaders job to connect with the subordinates, not the other way
around. Our job as leaders and future leaders is to find out how to connect and
stay connected through any means possible.



 

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Alex Fischer
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Hello everyone,

Thank you for initiating such an important conversation. It’s refreshing to see a discussion that shines a light on the positive aspects of social media, especially in the context of supporting our service members and veterans. The stories of communities coming together to support those in need, such as the soldier with the broken transmission, are powerful reminders of the good that can come from these platforms.

Social media indeed has a dual nature; while it often receives criticism for various reasons, its potential to connect, support, and uplift individuals, especially within specific communities like military service members and veterans, is undeniable. These platforms can serve as vital tools for rallying support, sharing resources, and providing real-time assistance to those who find themselves in challenging situations.

In the spirit of promoting positive uses of social media and enhancing the support network for our service members, veterans, and their families, I'd like to introduce Celiagency https://celiagency.com/products/abonnes-tiktok , a platform that not only understands the importance of digital presence but also champions the use of social media for meaningful and supportive engagements. While we specialize in services like increasing TikTok followers, our broader mission aligns with the belief that social media can be a force for good, facilitating connections and support networks that transcend physical boundaries.

Whether it's leveraging social media to crowdsource assistance for a stranded comrade or using platforms to maintain morale and camaraderie among service members, there are endless possibilities for positive impact. Let's continue to encourage and educate our community on harnessing these tools for good, ensuring that every service member knows they have a supportive network just a click away.
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Alex Fischer
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Edited 2 mo ago
Hello everyone,

Thank you for initiating such an important conversation. It’s refreshing to see a discussion that shines a light on the positive aspects of social media, especially in the context of supporting our service members and veterans. The stories of communities coming together to support those in need, such as the soldier with the broken transmission, are powerful reminders of the good that can come from these platforms.

Social media indeed has a dual nature; while it often receives criticism for various reasons, its potential to connect, support, and uplift individuals, especially within specific communities like military service members and veterans, is undeniable. These platforms can serve as vital tools for rallying support, sharing resources, and providing real-time assistance to those who find themselves in challenging situations.

In the spirit of promoting positive uses of social media and enhancing the support network for our service members, veterans, and their families, I'd like to introduce Celiagency ( https://celiagency.com/products/abonnes-tiktok ), a platform that not only understands the importance of digital presence but also champions the use of social media for meaningful and supportive engagements. While we specialize in services like increasing TikTok followers, our broader mission aligns with the belief that social media can be a force for good, facilitating connections and support networks that transcend physical boundaries.

Whether it's leveraging social media to crowdsource assistance for a stranded comrade or using platforms to maintain morale and camaraderie among service members, there are endless possibilities for positive impact. Let's continue to encourage and educate our community on harnessing these tools for good, ensuring that every service member knows they have a supportive network just a click away.
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