Social Media and The Military: How the Field Grade Leader Should Understand, Approach, and Control Social Media Warfare
Abstract
This thesis analyzed the implications of social media throughout the modern military. The results of this research are intended to inform a field grade leader without a cyber or information warfare background of the benefits and concerns regarding social media and its presence in military operations and daily life. The case study methodology was utilized to identify the vast realm of social media impacts, both abroad and at home. The results made it clear that social media plays a major impact in the gray space of conflict, both shaping and reacting to the informational battlefield. But that impact can be limited through education and counter-disinformation. Furthermore, individual actions on social media do have an effect on military operations as well as civil confidence, but the true impact may be exaggerated. These results should provide field grade officers with a basic understanding of social media risk management.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 12, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1124619
Entities
People
- Kyle M. Deem
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College