Military Communications

Take a moment and think back to 20, 50, even 100 years ago. Now imagine how different our communication systems were then compared to how they are today and even further, how our advancements in communications have helped the military we have today. Unlike in the past, we no longer need to travel by horse to deliver a letter from one Sergeant to another. Communications have become more mainstream since the introduction of email and the internet. Today we can communicate through the use of satellites, telephones and even social media tools such as Skype.

Satellites have become a major source for military communications and serve the purpose of being able to have conversations with others as well as sending important information. Nowadays, the military poses as a large testing ground for new satellite systems, which after being thoroughly tested, becomes a vital part of both military and civilian communication systems.

While the military relies heavily on satellites for their communications it is not always the only or preferred means of communication. Social media is a newer resource for the military which contributes to improved strategies and awareness. Texting, blogs, and specified forums all contribute to improvements within military communication systems.

To learn more about how Social Media contributes to military communications, check out this article from Mobiledia:

http://www.mobiledia.com/news/88929.html

TECHNOLOGY AND THE MILITARY

There is an old saying that when it comes to war, “if you want to be the best, you have to be equipped with the best.” As one reporter so eloquently stated, the age old definition of going to war has changed in our lifetime. Every day, governmental scientist, engineers and theorist work towards creating technological breakthroughs that will advance the military and protect our country. Billions of dollars are spent yearly for the creation and implementation of high tech vehicles, equipment, structures, weapons, medicines, training and communication systems. Military Technology examines how armed forces merge with the Digital Age, impacting us as consumers, investors, taxpayers, and ultimately as the defended. According to P.W Singer author of Wired for War, and an expert in military technology “technology is fundamentally changing warfare, whether we fully understand the impact or not”. In essence, technology has transformed the way in which the military fights, protects, and serves our country via digital revolutionary tools such as virtual training and robotics. The days of just putting on a uniform, picking up a weapon and going to the battlefield is no longer valid due to the advancement of technology. For example, as we speak, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV’S) are being used to carry out our wars remotely. Take a look at these short Frontline snippets which illustrates this phenomenon:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/digitalnation/waging-war/remote-control-war/taking-out-the-taliban-home-for-dinner.html

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/digitalnation/waging-war/immersion-training/virtual-training.html?play

With the continued progression of technology and the fast track of the digital world, it makes it terrifying to think what technologies other militaries across the world may have access to and how it could possibly be utilized to our demise.

Not only has technology in the Military redefined war but it has also steered some of the technology that we as civilians access today. “Military technology has historically found new applications in civilian life. While wars are devastating to the civilians caught in the middle, they also push technological advancements that benefit civilians long after their conclusion, from Roman roads built to speed troop transit to the Internet, which was initially developed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) as ARPANET (Jay Stowsky, Spin Off to Spin On).” After providing us with a remarkable tool/asset such as the internet and considering the internet’s life changing effect on our world with the creation of new media, can you imagine what technological sensation military technology might release to us next and the impact that this technology will have on new media?

The Military Family

From an outsiders perspective, social media seems like amuch more effective way for deployed soldiers to communicate with their families back home. The rationale comes from the ease of email and instant messaging. It seems both military spouses and soldiers would like the immediacy of using social media to communicate. Themilitary, after some time, has a policy that, at least, give the soldiers another option for communication. It seems family communication and well-being had some effect on allowing soldiers ability to use social media. In an article from American Forces Press Service (2010), Price B, Floyd, assistant secretary of defense for public affairsconsiders social networking sites like Facebook or Skype " 'invaluable' for keeping in touch with their deployed family members". There is excitement in being able to speak to loved ones in real time and explain what is happening at that moment.

Handwritten letters, packages, or phone calls are still very prevalent among communication methods( Merolla, 2010). In the study by Merolla (2010), email ranks third below phone and letters. Most computers or areas with internet connection are in commonareas, which leaves limited time for more intimate conversations. Also with regulations within social media policy, soldiers and spouses must be prepared to communicate with all forms and set designated times in order to maintain healthy communication (Merolla, 2010). Is the immediacy and easy good for healthy communication within the military? Is it possible that casually typing an email that says "the kids are driving me crazy at home today, wish you were home" can cause MORE stress to the deployed solider?

Along with family communication, another way to look at the military and new media is through websites. The National Military Family Association website provides countless amounts of information for everyone involved. It appears to give spouses an outlet to look for information about being part of a military family. The site offers information such as : where to look for blogs or support groups; a way to share stories directly to site; or help with legal matters.

After thinking about some serious topics, it might be nice to remember that deployed soldiers are having fun with social media. Take for instance Sgt. Scott Moore asking out Mila Kunis. Click on his picture to watch a very suave soldier.

Social Media Policy and the Military

Social media has proven to be problematic when paired with businesses and other organizations that deal with sensitive information.

So how does the U.S. Military - one of the most cryptic organizations in the world - handle social media in the information age? Especially when a HUGE percentage of its members depend on online communications to keep in touch with family and friends?

In 2007 the U.S. Marines issued a complete ban on social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube claiming that such sites are a "proven haven for malicious actors and content and are particularly high risk due to information exposure." But just three short years later, in early 2010, the Pentagon reversed the ban for all of the armed forces, giving thousands of troops access to the formerly denounced social tools. Although certain headlines may have lauded the reversal as a huge move, the fine print shows many restrictions still apply.

Social networking sites can only be accessed from non-classified government computers and the policy still allows commanders to limit access at their discretion for various security reasons or to address bandwidth constraints.

Military members are still barred from visiting websites that promote "malicious activity" like gambling, pornography or hate crimes.

“This directive recognizes the importance of balancing appropriate security measures while maximizing the capabilities afforded by 21st Century Internet tools,” Deputy Secretary of Defense William J. Lynn III said in a press release. Lynn completed a full review weighing the benefits and risks of social networking before committing to the use of SNS by military members.

David M. Wennergren, deputy assistant secretary of defense for information management and technology, commented on the benefits of social media use in the military. "The world of Web 2.0 and the Internet provides these amazing opportunities to collaborate," he said. "It not only promotes information sharing across organizational boundaries and with mission partners, but also enables deployed troops to maintain contact with their loved ones at home."

Since removing the ban, it seems that the U.S. Military has taken full advantage of SNS by allowing individual units and their components (numbered in the thousands) to create their own pages to share photos, video and news. http://www.facebook.com/101st?sk=wall Even good ol' Marty Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has a Facebook page - written in the first person, no less.

Facebook itself had something to say about the DoD's decision to lift the ban. Don Faul,Director, Online Operations at Facebook and a former U.S. Marine, issued this statement about the policy:

“Facebook is heartened by today’s decision to begin to allow our nation’s men and women in uniform and civilian employees across the Department of Defense responsible access to social media, which plays an important role in people’s daily lives. Facebook is an efficient way for people with real-world connections to share information and communicate and can be a particularly beneficial link between those stationed around the world and their families at home.”

The Department of Defense (DoD) now has a whole website - cutely called Social Media @ Dod - dedicated to connecting folks to the U.S. Armed Forces via the interweb. But as lighthearted as the site may appear, there are tons of guidelines, restrictions and user agreements that military members must commit to before participating.

Flip though the DoD's official social media policy below:

Sources:

Parr, Ben. "New U.S. Military Policy Opens Up Social Media to Troops" - Mashable - 26. February 2010 http://mashable.com/2010/02/26/military-social-media/

Cashmore, Pete. "US Marines Banned from Social Media Sites" - Mashable - 4 August 2009 http://mashable.com/2009/08/04/us-marines-social-media-ban/

Miles, Donna. "New Policy Authorizes Social Media Access, with Caveats" 5 March 2010.

http://www.army.mil/article/35116/New_policy_authorizes_social_media_access__with_caveats/

Dao, James. "Military Announces New Social Media Policy" 26 February 2010.

http://atwar.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/26/military-announces-new-social-media-policy/

DoD Social Media Hub - http://www.defense.gov/socialmedia/

Photo: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t-ifHsM4uRM/TqRpQ4UE3oI/AAAAAAAAAD8/6VfgQLpsOis/s1600/DODc.jpg

Screenshot: General Martin E. Dempsy: http://www.facebook.com/GENDempsey