Pentagon to evaluate online social networking

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Pentagon is reviewing the use of Facebook and other social networking sites on its computers with an eye toward setting rules on how to protect against possible security risks.

The Marine Corps on Monday issued an administrative directive saying it was banning the use of Marine network for accessing such sites as Facebook, Twitter and MySpace. The order doesn’t affect Marines’ private use of such networks on personal computers outside of their jobs.

However, the service’s computer network already effectively blocks users from reaching social networks, officials said. Marine officials said part of the reason for the new ban was to set up a special waiver system that govern access for Marines who need to reach the sites as part of their duties.

Deputy Defense Secretary William Lynn, meanwhile, ordered a review of both the threats and benefits of using emerging Internet capabilities, which the military has widely used for recruiting, public relations and sharing information with allies and military families, officials said Tuesday.

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Pentagon to evaluate online social networking

I saw this story yesterday and wanted to write about it but alas, ’twas not to be, I have been rebuilding my computer, I crashed. As you can see, that has been rectified and I am back. That said, let’s see just who I can piss off with MY take on this.

I saw some folks on Facebook that were all but crying about this, acting all hurt and upset, apparently thinking that our poor troops were being deprived of a basic right or some such. They are NOT being deprived of anything. Some of these conspiracy theory folks need to get over it, every time the military makes a move like this it is NOT automatically a move against the troops or an effort to stifle their words or their ability to gather information from home.

As the article says, ‘The order doesn’t affect Marines’ private use of such networks on personal computers outside of their jobs.’, and let’s be brutally honest here. Our troops, be they Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force or Coast Guard, are not being paid to stay on the social networks, they are being paid to serve this nation and do the job of being soldiers!

Many soldiers have access to private computers, even in Iraq. There are ‘nets available to the troops everywhere, and they can do all the Facebook and MySpace they want to, on THEIR own time! I feel the exact same way about the private workforce too.

The boss isn’t paying you to IM your buddies and post all of those ridiculous Apps about who you’re gonna marry or what Civil War General you might be. You are paid to work, not play. That play is nothing more than theft. If you’re getting paid to work, and you’re playing on the computer instead of doing the job you’re being paid to do, YOU are stealing from your employer!

The military is concerned with the activities of the troops while the troops are on duty, banning the use of military networks from accessing such sites as Facebook, Twitter and MySpace is, in my opinion, the right move. For more reasons than social networking being a waste of time.

The military is afraid there will be a breach of security. They are afraid that some of our enemies might be monitoring our GI’s computer usage, and they are quite likely be correct in that assumption. I would be surprised if it wasn’t so.

I am going to be VERY blunt here, many of our troops have NO idea what the term Operational Security means, and they are incapable of grasping that concept. A security clearance means very little to the average troop, and if they are privy to some juicy information, they are always eager to share it with their friends. That is the nature of the beast.

Most of these troops have no malicious intent in their postings, they are just happy to share what little bit they may know, or think they know.

For the uninformed, here’s the way it works for the Intel guys on OUR side, and on the other side, no matter who or what that side may be; one troop may not give up ANYTHING of use on his own, but if a network of troops is chatting on line, with family and/or friends, and that group of guys gives out several little tidbits, unintentionally of course, a really good Intel guy is going to piece it all together. It’s nothing but a game. A puzzle if you will.

Then, it’s just a matter of paying attention as you glean all the pertinent information and separate it from rumor, BS, or, in many cases, deliberate disinformation. And yeah, we DO use that time tested tactic, it’s called counter intelligence.

What our naive young troops need to realize is this, Uncle Sam can, and will stop you from using HIS net to play games and visit social networking sites, and yes, you can still go social on your own computer, on your time, but the troops, as well as their REAL friends and family need to remember this too; national security is a serious matter, CID can, and in many cases will, initiate an investigation if they feel there may be a breach. You have left your tracks all over the equipment you’ve been using on the governments dime. It’s really easy to track you down and monitor your activities if they feel you’re a security risk.

Exercise some common sense troops, and watch what you say. You never know who may be reading your words and what impact, or future ramifications those words may have!

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