Good morning! I’m joining you LIVE this morning from the U.S. Army Europe Public Affairs Conference in Berlin, Germany. Today is the final day of the conference and guess what the focus is on - emerging media and social networking. All day we’re hearing from speakers discussing the latest social media initiatives in Europe and the challenges we’re seeing across the military. Access to social networking sites is actually more restricted in areas outside of the United States, and the security concerns are more significant. People remain “all-ears” awaiting the results of the DoD policy review and decision on social networking. This morning’s agenda included a social media 101 presentation followed by a presentation by a representative from the U.S. Army Europe G-6, technology and security. The central debate surrounding social networking is the issue of whether or not access to social networking should broadly include every Soldier and every computer, or whether it should be restricted to public affairs officers or those with a clear workplace justification.

At the heart of the debate is the notion of the “strategic sergeant.” Is every Soldier’s capability to tell his or her Army story a strategic necessity, or a personal hobby? And if our Soldiers are our best spokesperson, can we afford to restrict access to social networking sites from our government computers? Those are the questions being asked here at U.S. Army Europe, andat military installations across the country and in meetings in the Pentagon right now. What the policy decision is will be made at a place far above my pay grade, but I can certainly say that the questions being asked and the debates happening between security experts and public affairs officers are to our benefit. I think what we’re seeing now in the debate over social media access is something that points to the larger advancement brought about by social networking. Rather than having the Department of Defense simply issue a policy decision based on a briefing or two or five, they’re actually asking for feedback prior to making the decision. And they’re not just asking for feedback from the highest levels - they want to hear from YOU. The average Soldier, civilian or Army supporter, the technology geek or the person who doesn’t see the point of social networks at all. We’re using the heart of social networking to help come to a decision: interaction and feedback.

The Army understands, in a way that rivals what we see in major companies and corporations, that we cannot prevent our Soldiers from using social media to communicate, even if we block access on our networks. And we also see that if we can harnass he power of our Soldiers and get their feedback when we make major decisions, that’s a positive thing.

Does opening the “Pandora’s box” of allowing our Soldiers to speak honestly and openly about the Army create potential issues and concerns for commanders? Absolutely. One of my favorite lines spoken today at the U.S. Army Europe conference was ‘it’s not slander if it’s true.’ The issue of the Fort Bragg barracks was referenced several times. There was a problem there, and a father brought it to the attention of the world with a You Tube video. It’s hard to argue with the visual power of video technology, and we have to realize that if people present a problem - and it’s true - than we have to live with the reality of that, and where possible, fix it. In the “olden days” of the military when we may have been able to count on a bureaucratic military system to prevent people from providing personal opinion on problems or airing their complaints in an open forum. Not so any longer. Our Soldiers are still governed by Operations Security and the Uniform Code of Military Justice, but outside of those left and right boundaries, our Soldiers are free to exhibit freedom of speech. We’re losing control of the message and the reigns of our control of the Army story more than ever before. But consensus here at the conference, and across the Army, as I’ve gathered, is that that’s a positive thing. Our Soldiers are able to tell their story, and reach out beyond their professional network to talk about the day-to-day life of the Soldier.

Another analogy in support of social networking  I heard here at the conference was the concern that the U.S. military could go the way of the Roman military. We’re increasingly at risk of creating a “warrior class” of people who protect and serve the general population while those in the population live clueless to the sacrifices being made to preserve their freedom. Social media provides a natural gateway and connection between these two groups - those in the military and those without a family member or direct connection to the military. When our Soldiers connect with their best friend from kindergarten and are able to talk about the Army, or an Army civilian tells their unemployed friend what it’s like to have a career in the Army, those relationships make an impact. Social networking is an incredible force multiplier in telling our story and connecting the American public with their Army.

Another great line from today’s conference was a commander saying “I want to be in command and out of control.” A scary thought for most commanders, it’s an astute one as it pertains to social networking, where when we open up the door to social media, feedback and dialogue. So, my question for leaders, supervisors and commanders reading this blog is, are you willing to be in command and out of control? For others, I’d love your thoughts on the issue of whether or not you think the trend of asking our Soldiers for feedback will continue?

Posted bylindykyzer undersocial media DoD policy, Social Media Access, social networking, U.S. Army Europe | Comments (1)

Brig. Gen. Ann Dunwoody passes the guidon of the 1st Corps Support Command change of command at Fort Bragg, N.C. Lt. Gen. Ann Dunwoody was confirmed by Congress July 23 for her fourth star, making her the first female four-star general in the U.S. Armed Forces. She will be assigned as the U.S. Army Material Command commanding general.

Maj. Lisa J. Dewitt administers medicine to a woman having a seizure. Dewitt is participating in a medical civic action program in Sagallou, Djibouti, Jan. 23. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Lee Harshman, army.mil 

Since 1775, women have played an integral part in the U.S. Army. From working as nurses and cooks, to deployments in Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom, women have transformed their duties and served their country for over 200 years. Currently, women serve in 91 percent of all Army occupations and make up about 14 percent of the active Army.

This week, we take time out to honor these women and their courage, dedication and love for their country and the work that they do as a U.S. Army Soldier, active or retired.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009 is Women’s Equality Day and we would like to hear from you. Soldiers- tell us about your most memorable experience as a “Woman Warrior.” Families and friends- express your gratitude and love to that Women Heroine in your live.

Help us to show our appreciation to the Women who work to protect us and our country and visit www.army.mil/women to learn more about Women in the Army.

Posted byashmccall underArmy Photos, Current Events, Year of the NCO Gen. Ann Dunwoody, Maj. Lisa Dewitt, U.S. Army, Women in the Military, Women Soldiers, Women's Equality Day 2009, Women's History | Comments (0)

With the last ballot in the box, U.S. Army Soldiers continue working to keep areas of Afghanistan secure.

KHOST PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Paratroopers from 2nd Battalion, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, secure a helicopter landing zone, Aug. 16, at the operational coordination center overlooking parts of the city of Khost in eastern Afghanistan.  This particular location was one of the staging points for materials for the Afghan elections, Aug. 20. (Photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Marcus Butler, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division Public Affairs) 

Posted byashmccall underArmy Photos 25th Infantry Division, 2nd Ballalion, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, Afghan Elections, Afghanistan, Army Public Affairs, KHOST PROVINCE, Paratroopers | Comments (0)

Once a Soldier, always a Soldier in the U.S. Army.  And Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Raymond Schnabel is a true example. SRTV reporter Ana Allen caught up with the hard working Veteran recently to witness his dedication firsthand.

Retired Command Sergeant Major Raymond Schnabel is one of the most charismatic characters I’ve profiled as a broadcaster.  He is not only the perfect example of how a person can make an impact on young people, he proves you can keep on serving long after retirement.  Schnabel is everybody’s hero at the National Cadet Training Center where he volunteers.  Schnabel is as old school as they come on the topic of military discipline, but he also has a sweet grandfather affection for his cadets.  Check out what he has to say about why he’s still serving the Army.

Posted byashmccall underSRTV National Cadet Training Center, Retired Command Sergeant Major Raymond Schnabel, SRTV, U.S. Army | Comments (2)

AZRA, Afghanistan - Villagers from the remote town of Azra look on as Afghan National Police unload election material from an Afghan National Army Air Corps Mi-17 here Aug. 17. During a two-day period, ANAAC pilots and U.S. Air Force mentors from the 438th Air Expeditionary Advisor Group delivered approximately 10, 030 kilograms of ballots, polling kits, tables and chairs to remote Afghan locations in support of the elections. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Thomas Dow)

Posted bylindykyzer underArmy News, Army Photos Afghan National Army, Afghanistan elections 2009, U.S. Forces Afghanistan | Comments (0)

U.S. Army Soldiers and Afghan National Army Soldiers have been preparing for the past week provide materials and support to voters. The polls are now closed and ballots are being counted The hard work, committment and sacrifice on the part of our Soldiers and the Afghan National Army is not lost, however, and it’s important to remember that the long road to democracy does not come without a price. A special thank you to the brave men and women - of both Armies - who banded together today to protect the people and promote their freedom.

FOB SHANK, Afghanistan - An Afghan National Army soldier carries a box of tables to be used in the upcoming Afghan presidential elections to an ANA Air Corps Mi-17 here Aug. 17 for its flight to Forward Operating Base Bermel. During a two-day period, ANAAC pilots and U.S. Air Force mentors from the 438th Air Expeditionary Advisor Group delivered approximately 10, 030 kilograms of ballots, polling kits, tables and chairs to remote Afghan locations in support of the elections. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Thomas Dow)

FOB ORGUN-E, Afghanistan - A group of Afghan National Army soldiers unload election ballots from an ANA Air Corps Mi-17 here Aug. 16. The election material was flown in from Provincial Reconstruction Team Sharana to ensure citizens in remote locations of Afghanistan are able to vote in the upcoming elections. During a two-day period, ANAAC pilots and U.S. Air Force mentors from the 438th Air Expeditionary Advisor Group delivered approximately 10, 030 kilograms of ballots, polling kits, tables and chairs to remote Afghan locations in support of the elections. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Thomas Dow)

PRT SHARANA, Afghanistan — Stacks of election materials awaits delivery here Aug. 16. Ballots, polling kits, containers, tables and chairs were loaded on Afghan National Army Air Corps Mi-17s and other U.S. and international security force aircraft for delivery to remote Afghan locations. During a two-day period, ANAAC pilots and U.S. Air Force mentors from the 438th Air Expeditionary Advisor Group delivered approximately 10,030 kilograms of election material to remote Afghan locations in support of the elections. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Thomas Dow)

Posted byashmccall underArmy Photos Afghan National Army, Afghanistan Election 2009, FOB Shank, U.S. Army Soldiers | Comments (0)

Our U.S. Army Soldiers are some of the hardest working persons alive. However, even they need a little rest and relaxation. Below are a few ways Soldiers in Logar Province, Afghanistan spend there downtime.

LOGAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - U.S. Army Cpl Darby Morin, the nuclear, biological and chemical non-commissioned officer with Company B, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3 rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, cuts the hair of a fellow Soldier at the Charkh district center in Logar province, Afghanistan, Aug. 7. Morin, the unofficial barber, keeps his fellow Soldiers looking sharp and to military standards. (Photo by U.S. Army Spc. Matthew Thompson, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

LOGAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Spc. Cailin Strubhar and U.S. Army Sgt. David Lloyd, both assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, play a card game between patrols at the Charkh district center in Logar province, Afghanistan, Aug. 7. Temecula, Calif., native, Strubhar, a medic, attempts to bluff Bedford, Va., native, Lloyd, a team leader, during the game. (Photo by U.S. Army Spc. Matthew Thompson, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

Hey Soldiers, let us know how you spend your downtime. We would  love to hear it!

Posted byashmccall underArmy Photos, Soldier Stories Afghanistan, Army Photos, LOGAR PROVINCE, U.S. Army Soldiers | Comments (1)

Comprehensive Soldier Fitness is in full swing as the October 1 date of implementation nears. The desired goal is to improve Soldier performance and readiness, build confidence to lead, courage to stand up for one’s beliefs and compassion to help others.

Currently CSF, under the direction of Brig. Gen. Rhonda Cornum, is hosting a pilot program in which roughly 15,000 Soldiers are involved. This program allows for the Soldiers to complete the first component of the program, the Global Assessment Tool (GAT). The GAT is a 12-35 minute test with roughly 170 questions designed to assess the five dimensions of strength in a Soldier.

After the assessment, the Soldier receives suggestions identifying the areas he/she many need additional development. From here, the Soldier participates in Self-Development Modules that are designed to increase and promote development in the five dimensions.

The University of Pennsylvania is working with the program to create effective resilience modules to provide the most information and training to the Soldiers as possible.

“The idea is to make people better,” said Gen. Cornum, during a media roundtable today discussing the progression and purpose of the program. “It is a strategy to try and bring the same amount of attention to people’s spiritual, emotional and social fitness as we have historically done in the Army to physical fitness,” she explained.

For more information about CSF and the development of the program, visit the website at http://www.army.mil/CSF/.

 Let us know your thoughts on the program and whether or not you think it will help the five dimensions of strength (physical, emotional, social, family, and spiritual) in our Soldiers and families.

Posted byashmccall underUncategorized | Comments (2)

It is always exciting to get inside the head of a U.S. Army Soldier. In his blog post below, Public Affairs Officer Spc. Ben Hutto, of the 3^rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team tells us about his time at the National Training Center in Fort Irwing California and how it ultimately changed his life.

Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division lay suppressing fire during a training scenario at the National Training Center on Fort Irwin, Calif., July 23, 2006. The center trains Soldiers in preparation for service in Iraq. U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Johancharles Van Boers.

I can remember how miserable I was at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin Calif., as the cold winter of January 2007 did everything it could to paralyze me. No matter how many layers of clothes I put on, how long I tried to stand by the portable heaters or how many times I told myself to “Soldier up”, I didn’t feel any better about the below zero temperature. Still, I knew that NTC was my step before I deployed to Iraq and I wanted to make sure I was ready.

NTC wasn’t just another training event. For me, it was the moment I realized that I was actually going to war. A deployment wasn’t a far-off concept that would happen down the road. There would be no more “If you were in Iraq,” speeches during training.

At NTC, my leaders were saying things like “Next month, when we are in Iraq” and “During our deployment,” to describe things. We were told not to worry about unpacking when we returned from California. The prospect of deploying wasn’t a prospect at that point; it was a reality.

I don’t know why it didn’t dawn on me before then, but as a year away from home stared me in the face, I’ll admit I was apprehensive.

At first, I doubted myself and what I knew. Could I treat a casualty if he was actually hurt? Would I be able to pull the trigger if I was called upon to do so? How would I handle being away from my family that long?

Question after question just kept rolling through my head making me more unsure of myself with each passing day.

The amount of things I was learning in California was astounding. Every trip outside the wire was a learning experience. As I drove I was taught how to look for improvised explosive devices. During my down time outside the tent, we were taught how to clear rooms. My press releases and pictures were scoured for operational security violations like never before.

I remember thinking, “How on earth am I going to keep all of this straight? Am I in over my head?”

It turns out I was ready. I passed every test Iraq threw at me. The training worked like it was supposed to and I returned a more confident Soldier and an experienced combat veteran.

As the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team has prepared to return to Iraq for its fourth deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, I was ready for our most recent return to NTC in July. To my surprise, a lot more than the temperature there had changed.

The towns made of railway boxcars now looked like actual Iraqi towns. Instead of one genuine Iraqi role player surrounded by Americans dressed as Arab people, the whole town was filled with genuine Iraqis. Arabic was spoken everywhere.

The training missions were different. The brigade wasn’t concentrating on room clearing and leading operations anymore. We were training to support the Iraqi Security Forces; rather than training on how to employ them in our operations.

The biggest change, however, was how I was seeing things. Everything seemed to slow down and become more manageable. I found myself answering more questions than I was asking. My leaders were relying on me more and giving me more responsibility.

I think it is normal to expect that I would be more knowledgeable with a deployment under my belt and a few years in the Army. That, to me, is normal growth.

What I found out at the National Training Center during my second rotation was how much I had grown emotionally and mentally. In two and a half years, I went from a Soldier that was unsure of his abilities to a Soldier that wasn’t afraid to make mistakes. I changed from a Soldier whose leaders were trying to mold him; into a competent Soldier that they relied upon. I went from a Soldier that asked a million questions to a Soldier that had answers for them.

I can only imagine and hope that if I make another return to California and NTC, that I will have grown even more as a professional and a Soldier. What a difference a few years can make.

Posted byashmccall underArmy Photos, Soldier Stories 3rd HBCT, Army Public Affairs, Fort Benning, National Training Center, Public Affairs Officer, Spc. Ben Hutto, US Army Soldier | Comments (0)

Social Media continues to be a hot topic among the military and the U.S. Army. Everyone is expressing his/her opinions towards this ever-growing internet movement. Below is a recent blog post from Public Affairs Officer Cpt. Charles Barrett of the 3rd HBCT, 3rd ID at Fort Benning, Ga. on the issues surrounding these tools of communication.

The Army was still on the sidelines stretching when the gun went off for the social media race.  The entire country was jumping on the Youtube, Facebook, and Twitter bandwagon while the Army “big brother” was just barely opening the razor-sharp jaws that have had a lockdown on internet freedom.    

Last year over lunch, the 3^rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3^rd Infantry Division’s public affairs team, began to throw out ideas on how to jump start the Army’s social media program. Lt. Col. James Carlisle, Staff Sgt. Natalie Hedrick, Spc. Ben Hutto and Pfc. Erik Anderson had a lot to answer; “How do we get the Directorate of Information Management to give us access to social media sites? Can a dot mil site adequately work as an official site and blog for a unit, or is a dot com the better way to go?  Who is responsible for managing the site once it’s up?  What is the current Army policy on social media sites?  Is there an Army policy on social media?  What operational security considerations should be taken into account?  Is this even a good idea?” 

Two weeks, Carlisle’s own 100 dollars, and the internet savvyness of 3^rd HBCT’s Sgt. Jeremy Gadd, the team was up and running with a unit website and blog, as well as Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube accounts.  The overwhelming realization came that it wasn’t just a good idea; it was a great idea.  The question then became, “How do we take full advantage of everything social media has to offer?”

Capturing every detail of what social media has to offer is a daunting task.  Just ask Pfc. Erik Anderson, public affairs specialist for the 3^rd HBCT.  Anderson is now responsible for maintaining, monitoring, and updating of the brigade’s social media sites.  The distribution list for www.hammerpao.com is over 5,000 Soldiers, families and friends; there are close to 1,000 3^rd HBCT Facebook fans, and 2,000 Twitter followers.  Anderson wasn’t trained at the Defense Information School in Fort Meade, Md., to do this, and none of these new responsibilities are part of his job description as a journalist, yet his efforts are felt across the brigade, mostly by the family members. 

The real key to social media sites is they allow for feedback; two-way communication between the command and the internal audience.  The command is still putting out information to their internal audience as they have been; only the medium has changed. This new medium allows for the audience to more readily respond.  If the command fails to take those responses into account then they’re not really taking advantage of social media.  This is the first major benefit.  For the 3^rd HBCT the responses received through the social media sites have been incredibly supportive.  Unit leaders know they’re on the right track and just need to make a few adjustments.  Anderson is the Soldier who collects all the feedback and reports responses to his chain of command. He does all of this on top of his normal duties.   

The exchange of information assists the command and its internal audience to fill in some of those information gaps.  Through online surveys and website analytics, the unit is now able to collect and track a wide range of data.  This data can then be used to tailor to the audience’s needs better; something that never could have been done 10 years ago, or at least not without a lot of heartache.  The Defense Information School explains the Army should take more of a “glass house” approach to telling the Army story.  The 3^rd HBCT PAO team now knows there is no better way to do that than through social media. 

Once everyone’s on board with the “glass house” approach, public affairs can take on a whole new attitude with the media.  There are companies who are praised for their stellar customer service.  They don’t know how to say, “No.”  All customer service should be like this, and that’s where public affairs customer service should be when working with the media.  Building a relationship with this mindset will enhance the social media information exchange, and will lead to very positive and long-lasting effects.

A word of caution; at some point during the reading of this an intelligence officer cringed.  It’s more crucial now than ever before that we as an organization maintain operational security.  Social media gives us more opportunity to violate operational security and to a much larger audience.  To solve this we don’t need to ban or create stricter policy on social media sites, we need to better enforce the already existing policies. 

This security begins at the source, the individual Soldier who blogs at the end of every day in Iraq or Afghanistan.  Just as important are the spouses of Soldiers who also have a duty to maintain the security of the unit.  If you don’t know what is or is not part of operational security then it is your responsibility to find out before you discuss something on a social media site.  There are also concerns of privacy, but a Soldier’s privacy has been and will always be a top priority of public affairs operators.  Just because social media changes the way we send stories to our audience, it does not change the way we write or film those stories.

Social media is here to stay, whether anyone else wants it to or not.  Networks are always vulnerable to attack.  It should be the duty of all Soldiers to recognize the benefits of social media and then protect that resource, just as Soldiers would protect other valuable equipment and military systems.

So, where to go from here?  It’s evident there must be a change in the way Public Affairs operates.  Although not everything is listed for both sides, it seems evident the benefits of social media far outweigh the risks involved.  There isn’t a need to create a military occupational specialty just yet for social media, but Soldiers at the Defense Information School should be getting some training on how to set up and operate these social media sites.

For Operation Iraqi Freedom, the tip of the spear has been held by many.  So much improvement has been made in Iraq, despite the violence still present, and it is more crucial now to tell the Army’s story of success.  Today, there are a handful of public affair operators, such as Anderson, who are the tip of the spear. If the 3^rd HBCT PAO is ever asked, “Capt. Barrett, do you seriously think one Soldier can make a difference in this war?” With a smile and an overwhelming sense of pride for his fellow Soldier, he’ll say, “You bet, and his name is Pvt. 1^st Class Erik Anderson.”

Please continue to leave us your comments and concerns about the on-going debate surrounding the U.S. Military and Social Media.

Posted byashmccall underArmy News, social media Army Public Affairs, Capt. Charles Barrett, Fort Benning, social media, U.S. Army | Comments (2)