A Message to MilBloggers
Hey milbloggers! We hear you…but we’ve been listening all along.
If you regularly read military blogs (milblogs) you may have noticed that last Wednesday a number of bloggers went silent. The day of blogging silence was intended by participants to bring awareness of incidents of military bloggers undergoing “censorship,” as well as give a glimpse into what life might be like if some of the milblogs that are known and loved stop publishing.
As a huge fan of milblogs – personally and professionally – I do my best to keep up with issues in the milblogosphere. And to be honest, I have to say I wasn’t aware of huge issues among our bloggers. There has been at least one high profile case, but I haven’t been on the grapevine of information about widespread shut downs of military blogs. From my foxhole, I meet new commanders and leaders in our Army every day who openly embrace milblogging in the ranks. Gone are the days when LTG William Caldwell was one of the few champions of engaging the blogosphere. These days everyone from the Secretary of the Army to battalion and brigade commanders across the field aren’t just supportive of blogging – many of them are blogging themselves.
I absolutely admit that there are still areas, and leaders, where blogging in the ranks is not met with open arms. And most of the issues milbloggers have are with their local command, not a headquarters Army action item. We consider our left and right boundaries when it comes to social media engagement and blogging to be the Uniform Code of Justice and Operations Security. Contrary to some opinion, you don’t avoid UCMJ responsibility when you log into the Internet – you’re responsible for maintaining military standards and decorum even online.
And commanders remain free to set localized policy when it comes to social media use by their Soldiers. That doesn’t mean a Soldier’s right to free speech is lost, but it does mean that we hold our military to a higher standard.
So, milbloggers – I hear ya. My phone line and e-mail are always open – let me know if you have questions or concerns. In the meantime, I’m including a few tips on blogging/social media interaction best practices. This isn’t official Army policy or regulation – just some tips and tricks from your favorite blog wrangler.
1. Consider a pseudonym. I know many of you may consider this sacrilegious in this new era of transparency. But if you want to be free to gripe and moan to your heart’s content, if may save you some trouble. Pen names have existed for a long time and they open up artistic freedom, especially for a Soldier. I concur with those who view pen names as a hindrance to authenticity. But I think too many discard the idea without giving it full consideration.
2. Little brother is watching. The military, more so than any other job or place of employment, creates a sense of family. And we all know how the family gets over Christmas when Uncle Bob has had a few too many glasses of eggnog. If you’re a Soldier in our Army – or an Army Civilian – you have to consider how what you write will be looked at by not just your commander, but those in the ranks underneath you, as well. If Private Johnny notes that you just wrote a scathing post about some military issue or that you’re writing things about your personal life that will make it difficult to see you in a professional light, think twice. If the military is a family, try to be sensitive (but not too sensitive – this is the Army, after all) to the feelings of those serving alongside you.
3. Don’t get political. I love politics. But I came to the understanding that when I took a position with the Army, as a government civilian, I needed to avoid too much political speech in my professional interactions – to include posts on my Facebook wall and tweets I send from my personal account. It doesn’t mean I don’t occasionally slip up and let my political leanings show, but it does mean that I’m not going to write any scathing reviews or political statements. It just makes my life simpler.
4. Don’t diss the boss. We’ve probably all read the stories by now of individuals who have lost their jobs because of a Facebook status update or blog post that did not reflect well on their supervisor. It’s just better for our job security that we don’t talk negatively about our boss or other coworkers online. In the military, it’s not just a good idea, it’s crucial to the proper operating of the chain of command.
Okay, now that we’re talking, I love to hear what you have to say. Military bloggers and those who love them or hate them, let us know what you think – we’re listening. And let me know what you think about the tips I outline below – and remember, they’re just ideas and guidelines – not policy. I’d love to see what you’d add or take out.
Lindy Kyzer, Public Affairs Specialist, Online and Social Media Division
Posted by inArmy News, social media
Swell. Then fix the situation with CJ and restore him back to his rank and position… and clear his record.
Otherwise, this is just so much hot air.
Ditto
I second what K.J. said. I’m sure we all appreciate your attempts to quell the situation, but actions speak louder than words. What actions need to happen now is for CJ to be restored and apologized to, and for this mess to go away.
Good article! I’ve been blogging since just before being mobilized in April 09, under a pen name of The Fighting Leprechaun. I’ve not made references to soldier names or the identity of my unit, and avoid any OPSEC triggers. I’ve not found the Army’s blog restrictions to be unreasonable in any way. My friends, co-workers back home, and family have really enjoyed the insights and anecdotes, and I’m using my blog as a journal, keeping notes for use in my novel.
What KJ said. Actions speak louder than words.
Interesting article. I appreciate that you wrote it Lindy. While these tips may help milbloggers in some situations, I don’t think they will help this situation in particular.
I understand some people needing to refrain from overtly political speech. And now that CJ is being put under a microscope, some of his past posts are being questioned. However, if it were not for certain people in the Huntsville school system attempting to abrogate CJ’s 1st amendment rights, we would not be discussing CJ’s political comments, would we?
There is nothing political about thinking that the local PTA meetings should follow their own by-laws. There is nothing political about thinking you should have a voice in how your child’s public school should be run.
However, there is something really low about going to a Soldier’s command and trying to silence him.
And there is something cowardly and lazy about a command that takes the easy way out and lays down for manipulative civilians.
I appreciate you, Lindy, and everyone at DOD Live, but there is no oil for these waters. CJ has been wronged on all fronts here and going back into his archives to find the odd questionable post does not make that go away.
I have seen the video where CJ questions their process using their own bylaws. He wasn’t nasty or aggressive or menacing. He simply read from Robert’s Rules of Order.
I have also read the incoherent ramblings of Jennifer Dombrowski-Scott, V.P. membership J.E. Williams Elementary School –
“Mr. Grisham felt as if his Constitutional rights were violated. I ask you the question call me a liberal or tratior to our country if you must, but how many others rights were violated during interogations? How many of them were innocent? I am not ignorant to what goes on during war by any means. I know first hand how they rape and toture their male captives, I’ve seen the physical wounds that many civilians would not believe.”
What is copied and pasted above is a direct quote from one of the people who then went, not once but TWICE to CJ’s command to find someone to SHUT HIM UP. Ms. Scott’s letter can be read in it’s stomach turning, headache inducing can be read on Facebook at this link – http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=157465044584&topic=10593
I don’t see how a psuedonym or situational awareness on CJ’s part would have helped.
~~~~~
P.S.
If anyone from J.E. Williams Elementary School is following this from the shadows – try and quiet me, I dare you.
v/r
Diane F. (BostonMaggie) Miller
Put your money where your mouth is! The whole (current) issue with CJ is mostly based on PERSONAL not military issues, which the MILITARY decided needed to be dealt with, even though it had nothing to do with OPSEC and everything to do with CJ’s life as a father of a child in a public school. Follow K.J.’s suggestion and clear up CJ’s situation. If he is seriously considering leaving the Army because of this, something is seriously wrong with his chain of command.
Boston Maggie says it all!! CJ has NOT been treated fairly by his military superiors and I will NOT be satisfied until they apologize to CJ and his wife, Emily. They had no right getting onto him for his or her blogs. Shame on them!!!
Consider a pseudonym?
So, the Army wants us to blog, but for our own protection, hide behind a pseudonym? Because what we say, regardless of the veracity, may get us into trouble. Especially if what we say is said in a truthful and honest manner, but taken out of context.
Little brother is watching.
Exactly. As leaders, our job is to show what right looks like. To live the Army values. To stand up and tell the truth–even when that truth, no matter how sugar-coated, will piss someone off. Uncle Bob may get out of line after a few too many eggnogs, but he’s still family.
Don’t get political. I was under the impression that according to regulation that when I put on a uniform, I didn’t give up the very freedom I volunteered to defend. I know that my political opinions cannot be expressed in uniform, and that is why I don’t append my rank to my blog, or blog at work or on a government system. I am freely exercising my free speech rights just as if I were to participate in a political rally in my off-duty time.
Don’t diss the boss. No, just remember that anything you write will be read by your boss. If you have a bone to pick with your chain of command, remember to keep it within the chain of command. Airing dirty laundry won’t fix anything, and is an unnecessary risk. I think this is really the #1 reason some Army leaders are opposed to blogging in general, because they feel their flaws will be exposed in a public forum. The easy way to avoid this–as a leader–is to be sure that your soldiers understand the reasons why they are ordered to do things, and be willing to explain it until they do understand. Poor leaders often won’t take the time to explain, or don’t understand themselves, and won’t seek guidance because they don’t want their boss to think less of them. Or, they are simply totalitarian idiots who don’t feel the need to explain to the enlisted swine why they must do something.
Finally, don’t “hold us to a higher standard”, or allow local commanders to set guidelines, until the senior Army leaders are willing to publish a policy outlining the basic standards of conduct and give subordinate commanders a basic framework for establishing local policies. What if my local commander doesn’t address social media? Am I free to say anything I want? What if my commander says no social media at all? Am I no longer allowed to blog, even on things unrelated to my job, like school PTA meetings, family events, or personal facebook pages or twitter feeds?? As a commander, what are my left and right limits for establishing local policy?
If the best that senior leadership can offer me for advice is “use a pseudonym” then they are a LOT less than I desire as leaders. The leaders who taught me as a young officer were ones who explained that you should be honest in thought, word, and deed; loyal to the constitution and your oath; and have the integrity state your beliefs and opinions–even if they are unpopular. There was a time, place, and means for stating these opinions and beliefs, a right and wrong way. I don’t personally blog about differences of opinion with my Military leaders. I have written about my differences with elected leaders. I thought, that as a free citizen, that was my right. I have been punished for using harsh language, reprimanded for writing things that were taken grossly out of context. What opinion of my leadership should I hold when the best advice they can give me is “wear a mask, hide, and say whatever you want?”
I sympathize with CJ especially in reference to the schoolboard. I have a daughter with special needs and last year was a nightmare. From being threatened by the principle to be kicked out when I visited my daughter to total ignorance from the special ed dept. Unfortunately, I found that unless I pull out the big guns – like CJ is- there was nothing I could do.I had little to combat their attitude. My daughter spend a year crying everyday she went to school and I felt totally helpless. I am glad things have changed this year and she is happy -therefore I am.
I agree military bearing must be maintained at all times as does all behavior in a job; the military and us as a country must do our utmost to make sure things are professional and run well at all times because this involves millions of lives every day and the protection of billions including our own country. I think we the families have a duty too to make sure things go smoothly so that they might do their job to the best of their ability and to comment out of turn sometimes violates certain things that can harm troops or our security. If we have questions we should take them up with our senators who can look into things but if it needs to be quieted then we must back our leaders. It means the lives of our troops and our country.
I have lots of questions in reguards to Ms Kyzer’s comment and since I am not in the military maybe I am missing out on some rule some where. But to me, her “advice” lacks something. It doesn’t address the injustice that CJ suffered when in the role of “parent”, he was discriminated against. This discrimination was not just by the school and the PTA, but by his command. Grisham’s service should have never been an issue in the PTA meeting. The police should have NEVER been called! And his command should have listened to the complainants and then asked the question, “Was Grisham acting on behalf of the Army, or as a parent?”
If this kind of injustice and discrimination is the norm, then I would recommend that military service personal NOT have children, don’t have a life out side the military, heck, don’t even fall in love and get married! If you do, someone in the civilian world may not like it and go to your command. If that happens you can kiss you military career goodbye, because they will not stand up for you!
Dear All,
I’ve been in the writing biz for over 25 years. I’ve read, edited, written the gamut of things ranging from the sublime to the utterly ridiculous. I’ve gone from typewriters and carbon paper to the internet. Let me tell you, it’s been one heck of ride. In this time I’ve watched the craft grow to include the instantaneous but also pleasurable but risky acts of social networking.
Blogs are an odd beast altogether. They all share elements of personal diary, reporter, opinion, with faint whiff of P.T. Barnum. They can be read by a large audience, and blogs document what’s going on at the time in the mind of the writer. Social networking –whether it’s a 140 character tweet, a status change on Facebook, or a 300 word blog post, is intensely personal.
It’s for this reason that I find myself disagreeing with Ms. Kyzer on almost every single point. While I understand the well-intentioned suggestion were to help make self-preservation possible, each goes against the grain of the writer’s craft and also that one thing we hold sacrosanct: freedom of expression.
If one wants to cause dissent, start putting down all sorts of rules! Tell people to use a nom de plume, avoid politics, tell us that little bro is watching, not to dis the boss and people take it as a personal affront. As an aside, through history, great struggles have been brought to life in the form of novels, stories, operas, epic poems, movies, music and plays. They have inspired people in a myriad of ways –both positive and not. Well-written blogs that articulately convey the writer’s struggle can also serve to enlighten and move. That’s why I think it’s important to remember this before setting down a bunch of rules.
This doesn’t mean that the writer throws caution to the wind. But, I happen to think the person who doesn’t blog anonymously holds themselves to a high standard of how they frame what they’re writing. What I write is done so with great deliberation, and I understand that I’m responsible for everything on it. So if I say something that irks someone, maybe for one second (or two or three or four), they ought to put stock into the fact that I’ve considered not publishing it. But the fact that I have means I’ve framed it, edited it. I’ve hit the “publish” button because I want those I’m criticizing to pay attention!
In regards to the rest of your suggestions, go back to remembering that blogs are a direct reflection of what’s going on in the mindset of the person writing the blog. All sorts of emotions are going to come out. It’s inescapable.
In regards to the silence, we were successful. How do we know? Because you noticed.
Like I’ve said, this has been one heck of a long ride but I wouldn’t have missed a single bit of it …even the bumpy parts.
Best,
Kanani Fong
THE AMERICAN WARRIOR
A TRUE AMERICAN WARRIOR ULTIMATE VICTORY IS TO LAY DOWN THEIR WEAPONS, AND TO LIVE IN PEACE.
THESE WARRIORS MAY SERVE IN THE U.S.AIR FORCE, U.S.ARMY, U.S.COAST GUARD, U.S.MARINE, OR U.S.NAVY, THEY SERVE WITH HONOR AND PRIDE, AND WHEN CALLED UPON AND WITHOUT QUESTION THEY GLADLY FIGHT FOR AND POSSIBLY DIE FOR A TASTE THAT THE PROTECTED WILL NEVER KNOW AND THAT TASTE IS FREEDOM, GOD, AND OF THIS BLESSED AMERICA.
THEREFORE, TO THESE HUMBLE BUT PROUD AMERICAN WARRIORS, GIVE THEM YOUR PROFOUND THANKS, THAT THEY SO GREATLY DESERVE.
I have taken a lot of time to analyze this and think about my response. It is now posted at http://www.bouhammer.com/2010/01/bouhammer-responds-to-army-social-media-division/
That’s scary as hell. Most milbloggers I know are fiercely patriotic and loyal to Army and Country. OPSEC is usually not an issue. What gives with the Senior Non-Coms and Officers?
This whole crackdown on CJ’s freedom of speech occured when he simply said what is on the minds of most Active Duty and retired Soldiers; Obama’s an unfit, socialist idiot who’s destroying our economy and national security.
Then, civilian PTA members tried to bully him via his chain of command, because he discussed their arrogance.
Give ‘em hell CJ.
HOOAH!