Army Cracks Down on Soldier Blogs
According to Wired News, the U.S. Army has ordered soldiers to stop posting to blogs or sending personal e-mail without first clearing the content by a superior officer. The new rules (.pdf) state that failure to comply could result in a court-martial or "administrative, disciplinary, contractual, or criminal action." While the order seems unlikely to stop e-mails entirely, it has many pundits predicting the end of the wartime soldier blog.
Online communication has been an ongoing issue for the U.S. Armed Forces for several years: The need for classified information to remain classified versus the ability for the public to connect with the troops. With regulation becoming progressively tighter, many in the military are pulling the plug on their own blogs. Jeff Nudig, who was awarded the bronze star for his service in Iraq, tells Wired:
"If I'm a commander, and think that any slip-up gets me screwed, I'm making it easy: No blogs. I think this means the end of my blogging."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
E. Doss @ May 3rd 2007 3:46PM
It makes sense to me that soldiers would be restricted in what they can talk about online. The opportunity to vent or share is like the legal attractive nusiance law that we use to protect children. The soldier does not intend to tell too much but the need to talk, to release pent up energy can result in verbal slippage. Loose lips still sink ships.
Yvonne Sequera @ May 3rd 2007 7:40PM
I understand the campany commanders concern about soldiers blogs. I am the wife of an officer who spent 14 awesome years in the USA Army. I know soldiers need to vent. It is healthy for them to express their inner feelings. I would suggest, that the E-8's and XO's of the battery's read and review the blog's the soldiier has written. Or give them a class on what is and not allowed in a blog. After, all there is freedom of speech in America. That includes the Military. It's stressful enough that they are away from thier family's emotional support. I think taking the blog's away would effect the moral of the troops. I hope that does not occur.
mary @ May 14th 2007 3:46PM
i think they should have the right to vent it's a natural need to stay healthy. yes i agree they should let our troops know what is ok and not. but they are away from thier loved ones and need to communicate some of the fear and horror the deal with . always supporting our troops.!!stay strong !!
Natalie @ May 14th 2007 4:13PM
Okay I understand about security and all, but to ban emails is rediculous. I think that soliers should be abled to email family and friends, because that maybe the only way they can communicate with anyone. Some may think that they can keep in touch through the mail but mailing letters from Iraq can take up to 2 and half weeks to get where you want it. Also myspace and YouTube actually gives them some entertainment when they get a chance to enjoy some free time. It's doesn't make them feel secluded and gives them the sense to feel they still know what's going on back in the United States.
kbart @ May 14th 2007 4:54PM
I am the wife of a soldier and an ex soldier myself. This is good in one way and terrible in another. My Husband is in Iraq, He has trouble getting to a phone most of the time. So emails are one of the few ways that we can talk. So in that way its terrible, now me and my husband will hardly get to talk at all. In the other way though- I have a friend whose husband is also in the Army. He Likes to use myspace to cheat on her while he is in Iraq. So in that way it is good to be restricting them. So I believe that they should still be able to email or blog, and that either a class would be great but the idea that an officer review each soldiers blogs/ emails is unreasonable.. there are just too many soldiers and not enough time for an officer to do such things. I always support our troops! To take away thier ability to talk to thier families and friends would make thier strain a terrible thing to try to deal with. Freedom of speech is supposed to be a given in american citizens, yet now we deny that right to our soldiers who sacrifice more than the average person realizes. They often sacrifice home, family and happiness to make sure that we are safe..shouldnt we at least let them have some thing to help????? Go CAV!!
ccibsen446 @ May 14th 2007 5:30PM
Makes sense to me that their web activities are somewhat restricted.
Rick Bard @ May 21st 2007 8:52AM
As a former military person, I agree, having some form of contact with friends and family during difficult times is very helpful especially being halfway across the world. When I was in, well email was not invented yet, but letters and such helped alot. But I hear people say freedom of speech, but I was told along time ago while in the military, your only rights are covered under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and not covered by the Constitution of the United States. Once enlisted in the military, now catch this, You are military or government property! Just something to think about. Check with the lawyers, but this is what I was told many years ago. So freedom of speech is under the Constitution of the United States not the UCMJ. I support the troops 100%, but the right of free speech is not look upon in a positive way in the military, hence "Request permission to speak, Sir!"
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