Written on March 1, 2010 at 4:59 pm by

Price Floyd speaks about the new DoD Social Media Guidance

Filed under Air Force {11 comments}

Mr. Price Floyd, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, participated in the DoD Bloggers 091124-F-1577E-064Roundtable (listen here) on 1 March, 2010, to discuss the recently signed policy regarding the use of internet based capabilities, including social media, on Department of Defense networks. The policy (known as Directive-Type Memorandum 09-026 [DTM]) calls for open access for all DoD branches to be able to use social media Websites, such as Facebook, YouTube, and blogs (many of which are currently blocked).

Purpose. This memorandum establishes DoD policy and assigns responsibilities for responsible and effective use of Internet-based capabilities, including social networking services (SNS). This policy recognizes that Internet-based capabilities are integral to operations across the Department of Defense. This DTM is effective immediately; it will be converted to a new DoD issuance within 180 days.

As stated above, Airmen and troops will not be able to suddenly access YouTube–it will take up to 180 days for the DTM to be fully implemented. In this time, representatives from the various service branches will work with DoD to finalize the issues and protocols that might occur from opening the Websites. Additionally, this time will allow for troop education that will help ensure operational security and general common sense rules are followed when engaging in online conversation.

Mr. Floyd reiterated that the default status of the networks is going to be OPEN, but access will be balanced to address security concerns. Commanders have the discretion to temporarily block access to social media Websites if necessary to open bandwidth, but they will not be able to close them permanently.

Addressing the importance of social media’s role in the DoD, Mr. Floyd stated that he “wants more, not less” blogging from troops on the front line. He expressed his optimism that this DTM is going to allow for more voices to be heard, while giving easier access to the necessary sites to help troops tell their stories.

To further drive home the importance of social media, Mr. Price implored “DoD commanders to “manage up” and impact what is already being said about them or their units online.” He stated that commanders should search for their own names and units and read what already exists, and in turn drive the conversation and set the record straight.

Let us know what you think of the new policy.

Photo: Master Sgt. Linda Adams, 379th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron consolidated tool kit NCOIC, updates her blog, which allows her to update and keep in touch with her students while deployed Nov. 24, 2009. In addition to being an Air Force reservist, Sergeant Adams is a teacher at Kate Shepard Elementary in Mobile, Ala. She is deployed from Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
(U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Jason W. Edwards)

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  • GeorgeW

    Worst. Idea. EVER.

  • GeorgeW

    I have to add to that. Do you people realize the sheer level of traffic alone that opening these sites is going to generate, and how crippling this will be on some networks that are already near capacity? Let alone the THOUSANDS of vulnerabilities that this will open up to EVERY SINGLE COMPUTER in the DoD. I fear for the day that this non-sense gets put into action, and so should you as all your network technicians will simultaneously go insane.

    Try that again since it didn’t even show up.

  • AaronD

    I’m torn on this issue. Totally agree with the bandwidth concern and the potential for security compromise (i.e. the recent Israeli snafu). Current network capacity at my location leaves much to be desired as it is now, hate to see what this initiative might add to that. Social media can (will) also be a disraction to mission, although I understand a lot of the intended content will be DOD/AF-centric and that’s okay for staying abreast of current events and sounding off on issues. Supervisors will likely inherit oversight of this to maintain proper social media discipline.

  • Curtis Smith

    I understand the importance of social media sites to deployed troops for moral purposes. I can see how social media could be used for recruitment and public relations purposes. But how do the use of these sites on the Unclassified military network contribute to the warfighting, intellligence, and business operations of the United States military. What measure are going to be taken to ensure OPSEC?

  • KirtM

    GOOD MOVE! The point (and value) of networks is….to network.

    The strength of this nation has been our ability to outrun and outmaneuver our competition. We’ve been more agile, more adaptive, more innovative WHEN WE TAKE OFF THE SHACKLES. Putting the defensive coach in charge of the game is always a losing strategy.

    Bureaucratic constraint motivated by fearfilled policies is no way to manage a modern enterprise.
    Repeat after me, “People are our most important resource…PEOPLE are our most important resource…” Get it?! Provide more bandwidth as demand increases: innovation occurs when barriers between people are broken down.

    If we want the past to be prologue…if we want a vital USAF that is innovative, adaptive and able to rise to tomorrow’s challenge; then we must exorcise the small minded, fearful, bureaucratic, controlling pathology that is hamstringing our most valuable resource: OUR WORKFORCE. There is virtually no limit to what the American people could accomplish if we just break down the bureaucratic barriers that are in their way.

    Thank you DoD for this breath of fresh air in an otherwise stiffling, controlling environment.

  • Keith, Iraq

    I’ve read the DTM. It was not informative of the issue and not well thought out it seemed. I hope in 180 days it gives better guidance. I see from Mr. Floyds’ point of view, but we in the AD AF don’t have time to blog. If I saw a subordinate blogging when we are behind on work, I would flip out. We do need the bandwidth for official duties, not rumors and “bettering ourselves with constructive criticism on a web page.” It is called a survey that I have done many times in my career.

  • Warren Comer

    If you get a chance, check out the Military Face Book study completed by JANSON Communications here:

    Should be good stats for military members managing social media sites and interaction.

  • Jeff Donato

    Social media provide many new ways to communicate to an organization or to the populace. Units can provide everything from links to related media stories to forums where Airmen can contribute to solutions to various issues important to their organization. Every day, I hear that the media never reports good news stories, only bad. Social media is a forum to get more good news stories out there.

    Are there firewalls and filters to prevent unprofessional behaviors? Yes. Are there undesirable people or organizations watching and listening? Probably. Do the benefits of these sites outweigh the risks? Definitely. However, the military has a long and proud history of solving complex problems. Accepting that social media is too complex of a problem for the DoD to handle is insulting.

    I agree that there will be some risks, but leaders must accept some of the risks. More importantly, leaders must demand solutions that minimize that risk without hampering their organizations ability to creatively and effectively social media forums. Airmen are already using social media on the personal computers. By accepting social media as part of the Air Force culture, the rules and regulations associated with the media will become ingrained to our daily lives.

    The Air Force should lead the way and be the example to other services on how to successfully implement this new capability.

  • C17pilot@SAMS

    I agree with Mr. Donato and his succinct view of this issue. After having spent 2 years at Army schools (CGSC and SAMS) its amazing to see how they embrace social media and the benefits it has in spreading their message. The USAF 100% needs to stay engaged with this phenomenon. Will there be challenges? Certainly. Social media provides a remarkable way to close the civ-mil gap that (in my opinion) continues to grow. Being able to share our experiences, our stories, and what we stand for via a positive social media experience is worth its weight in gold.

  • http://donrobertsorg.com/ Don Roberts

    Thank you for your service to our country, Linda. With the blatant one-sided reporting that seems to have made TV, Radio, and print mostly useless agenda points, I support the idea of providing the means for our brothers and sisters in arms to set the reco5rd straight without compromising operational security.

    Best, Don