Military Engagement with Social Media

Abstract

The military has a tremendous opportunity to strategically communicate with its members, allies, and even its enemies through a simple concept called "social media." There has never been a better opportunity for an organization to instantly communicate with millions of people, yet the Department of Defense has spent the last several years struggling to establish or use a viable networking platform. We have the potential for over a million military members to become part of a social network, receiving both operational and strategic information; not by maintaining numerous and redundant databases and accounts, but by simply having a social media site. Operational information could be shared with everyone, giving situational awareness to the entire country and even the world. Strategic messages could also be disseminated, clearly stating military objectives that may unfold in the years to come. The military must embrace social media networks and improve communications by strategically aligning itself with social media sites and persuading those engaged into using social tools to expand their knowledge of the armed forces on current and future strategies.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 06, 2011
Accession Number
ADA565125

Entities

People

  • Johnathan H. Lehman

Organizations

  • Carnegie Mellon University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Cyber
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Department Of Defense
  • Electronic Mail
  • Emergency Response
  • Governments
  • Internet
  • Knowledge Management
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Personnel
  • Mobile Phones
  • National Security
  • Online Communications
  • Social Media
  • Social Networking Services
  • Social Networks
  • Terrorists
  • United States
  • War Colleges

Readers

  • Computer Networking
  • Strategic Security Studies
  • Systems Analysis and Design