JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
In April of this year, the Air Force came out with new policy saying it is okay to log onto social networking internet websites such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other popular sites from an Air Force computer. While these internet-based tools have the possibility of enhancing communication and Air Force recruitment efforts, they also open a wide range of problems and concerns because social networking and operational security can be at opposite sides of the communication spectrum--operational security is about safeguarding essential elements of information and social networking is about sharing information.
Operational security is paramount to the safe and successful completion of the 437th Airlift Wing mission and Department of Defense operations worldwide. As responsible Airmen in today's ever-changing environment, we must all remember that we are at war. What this means is the enemy can and will exploit information to impede our mission accomplishment. Information you share on social networking websites must be shared with operational security in mind. Be careful and responsible with the information you offer, and ask yourself, "Could the enemy use this information to impede my mission?" and "Is the information I am posting responsible or am I sharing too much information?" We must safeguard information and indicators that may be useful to the enemy. Each Airman must understand the risks, pay attention to privacy settings and be very careful when posting personally identifiable information when using social networking websites.
Secondly, each of us must realize we represent the Air Force when using social networking websites. In the past, the Air Force did not officially engage blogs or other forms of new media. Air Force leaders have come to realize the broad reach of the new forms of communication. New technologies have given Airmen the opportunity to inform the media, the public and each other about their Air Force experience. Airmen should note that anytime they engage in social media, they very well may be perceived as representing the Air Force, and therefore should not do anything that will discredit themselves or the Air Force.
Social networking can be a positive influence in today's Air Force. In December 2008, a survey from World Internet Usage Statistics News and Population Stats stated that approximately 1.5 billion people use the internet out of 6.7 billion people worldwide. Airmen have the opportunity to responsibly communicating their Air Force experience to billions of people worldwide. Airmen can educate audiences on the Air Force's mission in air, space and cyberspace and aid in recruitment as well as help tell the Air Force story while protecting our ability to accomplish our mission.