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Joint base embarks on social media adventure

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Carolyn Glover
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  Popular social media sites and online communities have changed the way the world communicates and JB MDL jumped on the bandwagon today, launching sites on Facebook, Twitter and Flickr.

Servicemembers and their families now have instant access to the world of JB MDL by simply logging on to their computers, laptops or checking in on their iPhones and Blackberries.

Joint base profiles on the popular websites were created to provide an interactive way for members of the community to share ideas and opinions directly with base leadership and with each other, while accessing the latest and greatest base news, events and servicemember happenings.

"Establishing a presence in the social media world allows us to instantly reach out in a different capacity. We can now reach the internal, local and national communities, opening communication between the military and the public," said Col. Gina Grosso, JB MDL commander. "We also have the ability to unify all joint base personnel and families by offering a single platform for ongoing dialogue, feedback and interaction."

Just because JB MDL joined online society, doesn't mean it plans to do away with its more traditional forms of information sharing such as the base website, newspaper, commander's calls, base-wide e-mails and press releases.

The new social media program was designed by joint base public affairs personnel to provide servicemembers and families access to the installation wherever their travels might take them.

"More people enter the social media world every day. Establishing our presence allows us to continuously engage our servicemembers and their families no matter where they are," said Angel Lopez, JB MDL Public Affairs chief. "As long as they have access to our sites, we can stay connected throughout deployments, moves and other travels."

JB MDL's social media plan is not a one-way street. Audiences are encouraged to voice their opinions through the sites, allowing base leadership to better understand the needs of the community as it continues to grow as a new joint base.

"We want to hear what our servicemembers and families have to say," said Grosso. "This new social media program allows us access to our community like never before. Being able to actively engage with our audiences is a capability vital to enhancing the quality of life here at JB MDL."

Joint base public affairs personnel intends to post questions and initiate conversations with site members as the online community grows. Site users are encouraged to give their thoughts, concerns and opinions regarding base programs, organizations and issues.

Joint base personnel are now allowed to log on to more than 50 new sites via the Air Force network for official and authorized personal use. While the Air Force does not have the resources to play 'big brother' to its members, monitoring users with the intent of catching and punishing misbehavior, personnel must remember to maintain awareness for operational and network security.

"Our top priority is to protect the Air Force network as we embark on this social media frontier," said Maj. Heather Blackwell, 87th Communications Squadron commander. "While use of social networking sites provides JB MDL with an opportunity to share information, it is imperative for users to adhere to the everyday rules of ensuring OPSEC, maintaining professionalism and fully understanding the difference between official and unofficial uses of the Internet. "

Servicemembers are on duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year both online and off, Lopez explained. Even online they are still telling the story of their respective service. It is their responsibility to continue to protect not only the DoD and Air Force networks, but the military's image as well she added.

Access to social media websites first became available on the Air Force networks here in early June after the release of the DoD's Directive-Type Memorandum 09-026, Responsible and Effective Use of Internet-based Capabilities, Feb. 25. The memorandum recognized internet-based capabilities, such as social media sites, as integral to DoD operations, establishing responsibilities for responsible and effective use.

Find JB MDL on Facebook by searching at www.facebook.com/jbmdl. The joint base is also on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jointbasemdl; and or Flickr at www.flickr.com/photos/jointbasemdl.

The JB MDL Public Affairs Office has many resources available to help educate servicemembers and their families on safe and proper social media use. Call 754-2104 for more information.