As per Brigadier General George Allen, Director for Command, Control, Communications, and Computers and chief information officer, the reason behind this is that if soldiers continue to use such sites they might compromise on the protection of the units they have been deployed.
The ban on use of social networks has come just two months after another military branch embraced social networking. The Army had adopted Twitter in June so as to spread its viewpoint on the Afghanistan clash.
Ever since the U.S. forces started using Twitter, there have been 4,927 followers and above 470 updates. Not only this, the U.S. forces in Afghanistan also have a Facebook page and a YouTube channel too.
Decision not welcomed
However, not many people are in favor of this decision. As Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, wrote on Twitter that nobody can stop him from tweeting no matter how many bans are placed on other military branches.
According to the American Forces Press Service, the Pentagon is also figuring out the value of Web 2.0 services. By October, the Department of Defense plans to put a Web 2.0 policy into practice.
Social networks provide a platform to officials
Social networks are a good tool for the ranking officials to express their views on the conflicts taking place across the globe. Moreover, this gives a chance to the civilians to intermingle with military officials of high cadre.
Individual soldiers want to stay in touch with what is happening on their home turf and this where such sites come in handy. On the other hand, soldiers like Generals Odierno and Petraeus and Admiral Mullen are using the social networking sites to educate the public.
Putting a ban on the use of these sites will affect the communication between people and top military officials as they do not get a chance to interact with them and can only listen to them through a press conference or statement.
Also, the families of deployed soldiers are always worried about their whereabouts and well-being. These sites allow them to be updated about their near one and this surely proves to be very reassuring.
Ignoring the technology is good or bad to what extent might be known only in the days to come.
Post new comment