Commentary: Count to five for savvy social media Published Sept. 23, 2010 By By Tech. Sgt. Stacy Fowler 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- From a tweet on Twitter to a picture on Facebook, social media has become for many the best and fastest way to let friends and family know the skinny at Joint Base Balad, Iraq during your deployment here. I'm ignorant on the workings of Facebook, Myspace and Twitter (why are postings called "tweets" instead of "twits" anyway?). But even though I don't use them, most of my friends are loyal social media followers, and as a Public Affairs Airman I can see the value - and dangers - of these public forums. I know what you're thinking, "Yawn...Another story on the dangers of social media;" but if everyone was being smart with social media, I wouldn't be writing this commentary right now because it wouldn't be needed. As Uncle Ben said in the first Spiderman movie: "With great power comes great responsibility," and this includes the power we have in a social media forum, whichever one you prefer. I have already seen and heard of incidents where an innocent posting has turned around and zapped the poster or an innocent bystander on his or her "friends" list. Once it hits the internet, it will be there for a long time - maybe forever - even if you decide to take it down. That doesn't mean that you can't upload that photo of someone trying to drink three sodas at once, or let everyone at home know you just walked away "Texas Hold 'Em champion" for the fourth time in a row. Just take a moment and count to five before you post: Tip #1 - Use common sense: If you wouldn't say it or do it in front of your mother, spouse, child or commander - don't say or do it in social media! It could go out to millions of people around the world, and you won't know most of them, or it could go to that one person you really didn't want to see it. Don't post full addresses or phone numbers on homepages; identity thieves troll through sites for this information. Tip #2 - Think OPSEC: Remember operation security when posting. Shooting video of the guy dancing along a base's fence line or in a parking lot in front of your building might be funny, but what about things around him? Enemies frequently download these videos, and not because they like the dancing; it can be used to figure out locations of critical assets and security setups. Tip #3 - Stay in your lane: If you're a mechanic, talk about being a mechanic. Don't talk about national policy or the newest rumor you heard from your buddy about when we're getting out of Iraq. Those kinds of decisions are way above our pay grades, so let those higher up the chain make the call - and we'll salute smartly and move on. Tip #4 - Give your "personal" opinion: When you are giving your opinion about something (good, bad or indifferent), be sure you state somewhere that it is a "personal" opinion. In the armed forces we have freedom of speech; but if you post a blog stating that you hate your leadership and they are a bunch of bums, and then associate yourself with the military or that unit, you can be held liable. Anyone remember the Army colonel who got into trouble for his PowerPoint rant? (See Tip #1) Tip #5 - Be aware of physical appearances - and don't lie: If the main photo on your homepage is one of you running around with a bottle of booze or passed out drunk, you probably won't be taken seriously if you have a serious message to send. Look sharp and people will take notice and listen. Looking good is just one part to get people to receive your message - another is truth. This is why you don't lie or even "stretch" the truth. Once again you could be liable under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. This isn't to say that you shouldn't or couldn't have fun with social media, or that the UCMJ is the only thing you need to worry about. Social media is one of the easiest things to use, and the easiest to get into trouble with. I may not be one who uses social media, but even from the outside looking in I know it can be a slippery slope! Counting to five with social media can save your reputation, and maybe your career.