SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Have you tried to get to any social media sites from base lately? Probably not, since you know you'll receive the "Access Denied" warning sign, but what you find now may surprise you.
On Saturday May 1, Airmen at the 916th Air Refueling Wing gained access to many social networking sites from their government computers. The availability of these sites is part of a DoD-initiative. The Air Force began implementing the changes on April 26 with the 4th Fighter Wing (Air Combat Command) and 916th Air Refueling Wing (Air Force Reserve Command) receiving access near the end of the two-week phased opening.
The 916th embraced social media nearly a year ago, launching a Fan page on Facebook, however the access ban while using government computers made it hard to update the page on a regular basis and even harder for Airmen to share information as it happened.
"If used properly, Facebook can be a great tool for leadership to know more about the pulse of the wing," said Maj. Shannon Mann, 916th public affairs officer. "People do have to be cautious about what they are sharing though always keep operational security in mind and how much time they are spending on sites like these."
Various Air Force and DOD regulations provide guidance for Airmen using social media on government networks. Personal use of social media sites must be of reasonable duration and frequency that have been approved by supervisors and do not adversely affect performance of official duties, overburden systems or reflect adversely on the Air Force.
Air Force Instruction 35-113 gives more insight to the implications of social media and the negative impact on careers if not used properly, to include punishment under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
"All Airmen should know not to post classified or sensitive information," said Maj. Mann. "But what they might not realize is that they also can't post copyrighted information, offensive or illegal information, personal or privacy information or anything that negatively reflects on the Air Force or Air Force Reserve. And once it's out there, it's out there for the world to see."
Airmen are encouraged to discuss issues related to their career fields and personal experiences.
"Our friends and families can learn about what we do while deployed," said Maj. Mann "I used Facebook to help my non-military friends understand the importance of the mission at the Air Force Mortuary while I was deployed for three months. It also allowed them to share messages of support and gratitude with me, and that really helped."
On May 1, when the sites opened, an announcement was made on the 916th Fan page.
Family members were some of the first to praise the new initiative.
"Great news for the family members," said Kathy Nelson, spouse of Command Chief Master Sgt. Greg Nelson.
"Had heard about this, glad it happened," wrote Victoria Thomason. "Now our Airmen can keep in touch easier while deployed."
The 916th Fan page currently has 359 followers, but as more and more members are able to gain access, the public affairs office hopes to see this number grow.
"Unit public affairs representatives are equipped with Flip videos now and we really hope to see some great short videos on our Fan page of people training, doing their jobs, participating in morale events and other clips from deployed locations, conferences and the many and varied places we go," said Maj. Mann. She did caution though that the upload of these videos can still only happen from non-network computers.
She added that the Fan page isn't just for Airmen and families, but it can be used a great recruiting tool too.
"Just think about that 17-year-old who saw a video of one of our maintainers on the flightline preparing a tanker to launch, that's a powerful image that they might not have had access to before," said Maj. Mann.
The 916th Public Affairs Office also hopes to share more information from senior leaders using Facebook.
"We've talked to the commander and command chief about recording messages to our Airmen focusing on everything from Operational Readiness Inspection training to suicide prevention, it's just another tool to reach the masses," Maj. Mann said. "We're looking at ways to use social media to send, and receive, information along the chain of command. It's all about having an open dialogue."
And with social media sites open, the dialogue can begin.