Introducing Commandant's Corner 2.0 and iCommandant
Welcome to Commandant?s Corner 2.0 (CC 2.0)! Hopefully you immediately noticed that the content available through my website is now more prominent. It is also multi-media friendly to broaden the methods we use to communicate so that you the user can choose the medium that best serves your purpose.
While this site is on the .mil domain, it leverages the power of several social media features. The most noteworthy feature is iCommandant. This is a journal/blog feature, powered by blogger, which allows me to communicate thoughts, ideas, issues and events in near real-time. It is fully mobile, mutli-media capable and RSS enabled so that you can subscribe for automatic updates. To be honest, I am not yet sure exactly how this feature will be used. We will experiment together and try a few things to see what sort of effect they have. Your feedback will be helpful in shaping its use and value.
My photo feed will now be fed through Flickr. This will make updates more frequent and make the photos more available for use, sharing and comment. This central photo site will also feed my new Facebook page. Yes?you heard right, we now have an official Facebook page. In fact, we now have two pages, one for me as Commandant, and one for the service in general (Yes, I know you can?t get to Facebook on the CGDN). We hope you will sign on as fans to stay better informed on all things Coast Guard.
In addition to these features, you will still be able to access the traditional information available on this site. We are attempting maximize access within the security requirements of our .mil domain.
If you haven't already seen it, here is my philosophy on social media and the Coast Guard:
If you cannot see the YouTube video, it is available on CGVI here.
Stay tuned!
While this site is on the .mil domain, it leverages the power of several social media features. The most noteworthy feature is iCommandant. This is a journal/blog feature, powered by blogger, which allows me to communicate thoughts, ideas, issues and events in near real-time. It is fully mobile, mutli-media capable and RSS enabled so that you can subscribe for automatic updates. To be honest, I am not yet sure exactly how this feature will be used. We will experiment together and try a few things to see what sort of effect they have. Your feedback will be helpful in shaping its use and value.
My photo feed will now be fed through Flickr. This will make updates more frequent and make the photos more available for use, sharing and comment. This central photo site will also feed my new Facebook page. Yes?you heard right, we now have an official Facebook page. In fact, we now have two pages, one for me as Commandant, and one for the service in general (Yes, I know you can?t get to Facebook on the CGDN). We hope you will sign on as fans to stay better informed on all things Coast Guard.
In addition to these features, you will still be able to access the traditional information available on this site. We are attempting maximize access within the security requirements of our .mil domain.
If you haven't already seen it, here is my philosophy on social media and the Coast Guard:
If you cannot see the YouTube video, it is available on CGVI here.
Stay tuned!
Posted at
12:20 PM
56 Comments:
This is one of many tools that can improve communications among all members of the Coast Guard. It's refreshing to see the service doing something about the new web technology, instead of planning to do something.
I'm impressed! It's great to see a dynamic service embracing dynamic means of interaction and organization!
Probably a technical error, but the philosophy section is blank.
Admiral Allen; As an IT Specialist I applaud the progress that this venue represents and the channels of communications that it opens. Each step that we take along this path will further serve to unite all the members of the Coast Guard family. Thanks again. Respectfully, Leland R. Sisk IT Specialist ESD San Pedro
For those who can't see it, the YouTube video appears to be block by our security friends on CGDN.
Admiral Allen,
This sounds great. It is nice to the the CG coming into the 21st century.
"Fair Winds and Following Seas"
LCDR Timothy E. Dickerson
CG R&D Center
Good to see this. Certain parts of the CG's "2" community are heavily invested in these social tools for communications and updates CG wide. From a Public Affairs perspective, the advance of Mobile Multimedia Devices (MMDs), worldwide, cannot be overstated. Many (perhaps most) people around the world do not have access to PCs. They use their MMDs instead. Something to consider as we embark down this path.
Who is gonna be first to comment?
Hello Commandant,
Quick question what is with the new MAW?
Very Interesting, I read the article in Navy Times saying this site will soon have it's own Facebook like feature, and Chat Romms. Will these be accessible from CGDN+?
I am glad to see that the Commandant moved to a medium that CG members could provide comments and response. Unlike facebook which we can not view while at work.
Could you hyperlink your Facebook and Flickr accounts from this post?
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Those insid th efirewall can see the video under the Commandant's video section or directly at http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=386344
The video that has been posted in the blog is on Youtube.
We've come a long way since the green screen of Standard Work Station II. This is a welcome change in many respects, and the measures we are putting in place (i.e., policy measures, investments in IT infrastructure) should help advance the cause. V/r TJ Offutt, CDR
In not sure what kind of adoption rate we will achieve within the CG but this web 2.0 initiative will definitely close the communications gap between the CG and the public. Exciting times....
Interesting to see how useful these tools becomes without absolutely circumventing the ol' chain of command. I've witnessed my sister-in-law waste countless hours surfing facebook on the couch, can't wait to have it at work.
On second viewing of this post and video I'm even more excited about the possibilities here. Who will be the first to write an iPhone app or Google Gadget that can text SAR gps positions to a Command Center with photo of injuries, pull data from the victims Facebook page (age, physical description), and correlate the data with CG assets in the area?
-CWO MB
And even using Blogger as the platform. Nicely done, Admiral.
There's plenty of discord out in the field with all this movement; I believe that by demonstrating the uses of the tools, more people will get onboard. Today, I saw aging boomers banging their heads against the wall with the new Office Communicator IM tool. Change does not come easily; or, maybe it comes but it doesn't take hold easily.
What can those of us who have embraced the technology do to help?
/s/ Peter
@Michael Brashier: Now that's some great thinking.
Will this put the Unofficial CGBlog out of business?
I'm looking forward to the story on "Effects-Based Use of Web 2.0 Tools" that will surely be written by someone who examines this transition period a few years from now.
Great to see you lead from the front and focus on effects, not tools or technologies.
v/r
dpt
Great tool!
Wondering how Web 2.0 might have applicability in the workplace? Check out the book "Groundswell" by Charlene Li and Josh Bernoff. Pubished by Harvard Business Press and geared towards the corporate organization, the parallel's to public sector are obvious. This book can help one understand why "ignoring" social technologies is not really an option. I'm old enough to remember comments like "The web will never amount to anything useful". Perhaps "facebook" won't be the answer, but the the answer will come through the learning taking place on facebook, RSS feeds, and blogs today.
Having never really stuck a toe in the ocean of the tech age, I now find myself swimming in it. It's unavoidable, but as I'm learning, completely enjoyable once you get accustomed to the water.
Public affairs has been slowly moving in this direction for a while now and during Hurricane Ike we took a big step in the way of a blog on the response surrounding the incident. Here's the link: http://uscgstormwatch.livejournal.com/
We're still working to get a more general blog up and running, which we'll update with video, pictures and stories at every given opportunity.
The objectives on our side of the fence have always been transparency and immediacy. This seems to be the best way to meet both of those goals.
-PA3 Lehmann
Glad to know other officers are hoppin on the BLOGGER bandwagon!
Admiral Allen,
I am greatly impressed by your willingness to embrace the power of technology to communicate faster, better and more directly with many more people. Using technology to communicate can definitely be a force multiplier. As you know so well, effective communication is key to effective operations. You are setting an "Admirable" precedent in this electronic communication initiative -- pun intended :) ...sorry.
My only fear is others (who attempt to emulate your willingness to communicate faster and more openly) may unwittingly release information that should not have been released. Implementing IT system constraints will be the easy part. Educating people on how to appropriately use the new technology will be the harder and potentially more hazardous part, I predict.
As alluded to, I'm somewhat concerned about the security implications and wonder how Privacy Act and Control of Unclassified Information (CUI)issues might be addressed.
It is great to be part of an organization whose senior leadership embraces change and is willing to use an evolving suite of tools to move us all forward.
v/r,
a new civilian member of the "Long Blue Line"
As a recreational boater and therefore an official member of the "peanut gallery", I applaud the new direction, and the momentum you've created.
Check this out:
http://www.collisiondetection.net/mt/archives/2008/09/_every_year_pet.php
They published a "technology index." Only 5% of the incoming freshman class had landlines. 1 in 2 had either an iPhone or an iTouch.... Wireless and social is the future for lots of stuff. But mobile and desktop/laptops aren't used the same way, and may never be. Many things to think about.
You're not alone, Admiral. Training Center Cape May just got our blogsite up as well today. It will be primarily our tool to stay connected to future recruits and families of current recruits. We do have journals for recruits on line, but they are written and entered... we have our hands full enough teaching them to run, march, shoot a weapon and fight a fire! Visit us at
www.uscgbootcamp.blogspot.com
and
www.uscgbootcamp.com
v/r CAPT Cari Thomas
"Commitment, Courage, Character"
@Michael Brashier: I agree with Peter that your concept is outstanding. I was out on patrol yesterday and thinking very much the same thing (I have a new iPod touch). We had 4 SAR cases and a damaged ATON - the capability to send photos with GPS locations directly back to the Command Center at Sector Portland would really help improve situational awareness. It is at times hard to convey what we are seeing and justify the calls we make back to the folks in the windowless box. By the same token we have no idea what challenges they are facing on any given day.
Admiral Allen,
This is outstanding! We are all working on getting this social media thing right.
As Peter Stinson said, let us know what we can do to help.
Best,Daren
Admiral,
Like telephones, e-mail, and the Internet, this new communications tool is one of many that you can use to get your message across to your service members, stakeholders, and customers.
BZ for finding a way to connect with the demographic that is both mobile & 'connected' at the same time.
A lot of us however, are barely treading water in the sea of information available on the Internet, CG Central, CGWeb, CGDN, and a host of application specific sites that we need to do our daily business (Direct Access, ePMO, T-Pax, MISLE, AOPS, SAM, Adept, etc.).
Rather than simplifying and enhancing my work, I often find that the plethora of IT systems that I need to know and use to get real CG business done are a hindrance to my individual productivity. That being the case, I have little time to browse CG Central for the latest news and developments. Were it not for your all-hands e-mail about this new tool, I never would have noticed it.
I think the CG should be careful. Hacking will likely occur. So the real question is for CG techies like myself will there be a new rate for social media? I've been blogging for a while and if you do it correctly it's a full-time job.
Any billets open let me know!
-elektrowhitboy, OS2
punkswithaloha.com
ADM Allen,
Thank you for your proactive manner wrt blogging, and in general, Web 2.0. I have quick question for either you or your staff.
In my RSS reader I'm noticing two different "Published by" names iCommandant and Commandant. Is there a difference between the two?
Very Respectfully,
LTJG Ryan R. Erickson
Here are my recommendations:
1. Establish a MCPOCG Corner 2.0, as well and a corresponding Facebook account to go along with ADM Allen's.
2. Allow for users to click on individual blog postings instead of being only able to access the main blog. It limits the ability of bloggers to link to relevant posts.
3. Utilize Twitter to allow us to see what the leadership is up to on an (almost) daily basis. Blog postings take valuable time however a Twitter update takes seconds to announce.
4. Encourage your counterparts within DHS and DOD to get onboard with similar Web 2.0 initiatives. Personally, I'd like to see Web 2.0 type pages up by Secretary Chertoff as well as Chief of the Border Patrol Aguilar. It would go a long way in improving public relations as a whole within our organization.
Just my .02.
A discussion that is liberally moderated allows for a more open discussion. Allow for direct postings to the site and edit as needed. People tend to refrain from posting if they feel their comments are subjected to immediate moderation.
Thank you!
One more recommendation:
Utilizing your Facebook, create a "button" to embed on the COMDT Corner. Thus allowing for quick and easy access to your Facebook account.
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Adm Allen - You are putting a significant effort into promoting the concept of e-Coast Guard, yet there is a portion of our CG family, the wage grade work force, who still doesn't have routine access to either SWIII or the Internet. What is your plan to ensure the entire work force is e-Coast Guard enabled?
It's a bit ironic that our super IT staff at HQ has an internet filter so effective at blocking sites that we can not access either of these Facebook pages. Looking forward to trying at home.
Admiral,
This is a great first step, but it will soon have little value if all the comments that approved are only those giving you a pat on the back.
We're looking for FOX News not CNN.
Re/ @Anonymous at September 29, 2008 3:52 PM: We need an RSS reader on our desktops or in the new Portal, and we need it now. A reader, along with info using feeds and tags, will help Coasties manage the seemingly overwhelming amount of information coming today. And, I suggest, we need the reader sooner rather than later. I understand the Portal is coming, but it's coming awfully slowly. I've heard that even if the Portal has the reader enabled, it will be next summer before we have the feature. Frankly, unsat.
While I think this is a great idea, I also find it ironic that you can't access the Commandant's or CG's Facebook page from the CGDN!
@Anonymous at September 29, 2008 12:53 PM: You asked, "Will this put the Unofficial CGBlog out of business?"
First, realize that our full title is AN UNOFFICIAL COAST GUARD BLOG. Even from the beginning, we envisioned ourselves as just one of many unofficial CG blogs.
Second, the blogosphere has a huge breadth and reach. One of the great things about blogs is that each blog provides a unique perspective. Admiral Allen sure isn't going to blog at CGBlog.org, but then Peter Stinson, Ryan Erickson, Mike McGrath, Webster Smith, Daren Lewis, Jim Dolbow, etc. etc. will not ever be blogging here. Two different venues; different purposes; same tool.
Oh, well, Jim Dolbow might some day be invited to guest post here, but the rest of us... highly unlikely.
I don't know that we'll be around forever, but at the moment, we're happy just to be here in the blogosphere and sharing in the conversation.
For those that don't you, you can find AN UNOFFICIAL COAST GUARD BLOG at http://www.cgblog.org.
"Rather than simplifying and enhancing my work, I often find that the plethora of IT systems that I need to know and use to get real CG business done are a hindrance to my individual productivity. That being the case, I have little time to browse CG Central for the latest news and developments. Were it not for your all-hands e-mail about this new tool, I never would have noticed it."
I am part of a working group that recently identified about 86 systems that the CG uses to log/archive/transmit information in some form or another. That's about 80 too many...
I was one of the folks that put that list together and I can tell you that we have found it is a living document.
As well, it seems as if the CG's use of Web 2.0 is currently focused only on Public Affairs and Internal Communications, which is great, but I think it needs to focus on at least three more things:
1. Operations
2. Training
3. System Consolidation
In many ways, we are already utlizing Web 2.0 for all three of those methods but such information is not recorded in messages like ALCOAST 457/08 and I'm not sure it's being developed further in the Web 2.0 Strategy of the C4IT Strategic Plan, although I have been pushing for that to happen with some folks in CG-6.
And speaking of one of the favorite two - Internal Communications - someone hit the nail on the head earlier when they said that only allowing comments and posts that have pats on the back will ruin that aspect of Web 2.0.
"Yes men/women" have no place in Web 2.0, and that could be one of the paradigm shifts we see in the CG (finally) thanks to Web 2.0., so long as it's allowed to flourish.
Chief, good to see you here!
These are good comments...
"And speaking of one of the favorite two - Internal Communications - someone hit the nail on the head earlier when they said that only allowing comments and posts that have pats on the back will ruin that aspect of Web 2.0.
"Yes men/women" have no place in Web 2.0, and that could be one of the paradigm shifts we see in the CG (finally) thanks to Web 2.0., so long as it's allowed to flourish."
And I propose the following solution - institute a "voting button," for the comments. Thumbs up thumbs down. Really simple. Then allow the comments to be organized by rating as well as time posted...
[This comment was edited by the moderator to conform to the Comment Policy. We will not post comments that refer to Coast Guard or other employees by name. To demonstrate our commitment to limited moderation and open dialogue we have edited this post to conform to our Comment Policy. In the future, non-conforming posts will be rejected. The policy is available for your review in the ?leave your comment box?.]
Admiral,
No question this is the right direction and much needed. I am concerned that our limited IT staff and contract staff are devoting all their time to these social medial projects at the expense of mission sustaining requirement websites.
Our Coast Guard Civil Rights website has been off-line for two months now.
I asked the Office of Civil Rights about the status in August and again in early September. On 5 September [name deleted] a member of the staff responded to me that it should be back up in the next week. Today is 30 September and it's still down.
I transitioned my unit (larger than the CR site) in one day, and offered to travel to DC to assist CR. Please devote IT staff to getting the CR site back up. Two months is a long time to go without access to such resources.
[This comment was edited by the moderator to conform with the Comment Policy. We will not post comments that refer to Coast Guard or other employees by name. To demonstrate our commitment to limited moderation and open dialogue we have edited this post to conform with our Comment Policy. In the future, non-conforming posts will be rejected. The policy is available for your review in the ?leave your comment box?.]
Will you discuss [name deleted] your staff's decision to provide the ALCOAST SOCIAL MEDIA -- OFFICIAL INTERNET POSTS to the blog Information Dissemination two days before the Coast Guard saw it on CG Central.
Also, can you tell us about your decision or [name deleted] your staff's to contact that same blogger to offer an interview?
Great ideas on communication. Since there is a problem with the .mil domain issue why aren't we looking at partnering with the Army's model? They have AKO at www.us.army.mil. It is available to all CG Personnel including civilians and it gives users a .mil email address that is web accessible worldwide. It's also CAC enabled when you have a CAC enabled terminal. There are numerous other features that make this a model to follow if not partner with. The DoD partnered with the system and it serves as the backbone for DKO (Defense Knowledge Online). Even if we don't partner with it it's still a huge resource available to all CG personnel right now.
With all this techno talk about "Commandant's Corner (2.0), iCommandant, and Facebook", I'm sensing a trend towards Apple (i.e. Macintosh). Can anyone say Standard Workstation 4 (SWS4) = iMac? I'm not trying to start a rumer, but it doesn't hurt to have hope. Now THAT would be REAL progress.
You're 100% correct, that would be progress. Unfortunately I hear we are actually moving backwards; that is we are going down the Vista path. What a huge mistake! Too bad all those in the decision making spots actually have vivid mental images of punch cards...
It's great to see senior leadership embracing the use of new technologies that our younger members take for granted (and expect to have access to in the workplace). However, I fear that without clear guidance and education on "acceptable use" of these technologies, we may be creating an "information dump" of stygian proportions. For example, if you are working on a new policy document that you wish people to comment on or possibly contribute content to, should you use the soon to be implemented CGPortal's (proposed) content management system, a blog, a wiki, Sharepoint, or send it out as an email attachement?
After completing the document (or any finalized content), will other coasties need to search through five different applications in order to find that content?
The capabilities in these new "web 2.0" technologies are awesome but let's make sure they don't turn around and bite us by preparing the workforce in advance for their implementation.
-David Bandel, CG-0931
@David Bandel CG-0931: Tags. Filters. Strong semantic search. These are tools which will help sort through all the "stuff" to find what you need. Blogs and wikis and documents all serve different purposes. As to email, no, don't use email. Remember, it's just like the intelligence community reminds us: we need to move away from a NEED TO KNOW paradigm to a NEED TO SHARE paradigm. Attachments does nothing to help share to anyone but the recipient.
very impressive. Cant wait to see how it unfolds.
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