Social Media for Citizen Airmen

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kimberly Erickson
  • 403rd Wing Public Affairs
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, MISS. --  For Reservists of the 403rd Wing, located at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., social media offers a powerful way to communicate ideas, boost recruitment and reach a large audience in a short period of time.

"Often people will post questions on our (Facebook) page and I answer them," said Senior Master Sgt. David Beach, 403rd Wing recruiter. "It's less intimidating than visiting a recruiter's office, especially for people geographically separated from the wing."

As with any medium of communication, it's possible to unintentionally release sensitive content.

"Social media can be a great tool if used to inform the public about what we do," said Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Walker, 403rd Wing Reservist,"but the opposite can also be true if sensitive information falls into the wrong hands."

To better define social media practices, the Air Force Public Affairs Agency has responded with the pamphlet, "Social Media and the Air Force."

The guide helps users navigate the social media realm while identifying appropriate content and is available for download.

Some commonly addressed topics from the media guide and recommendations from the 403rd Wing public affairs office include:

Protect classified information: Remember operational security practices and the 403rd Wing's mission when using social media. Avoid discussing sensitive information, such as flight times and personnel numbers, that might jeopardize our mission and safety.

Know your role: Social media can serve to enhance professional relationships and allow Airmen to share their Reserve experiences. Avoid speculating about topics that you're not familiar with.

Just the facts: Our credibility is critical to our success as Reservists. Steer clear of making any statements that might misrepresent our mission.

Safeguard personal information: Be mindful of what personal information you share and adjust security settings accordingly. Ask yourself, "Do I feel comfortable sharing this information with the world?" before you post.

Common sense: Use the keyboard as a tool for sharing information while keeping in mind that you are accountable for the images and comments you post--even your grandmother could be on Facebook.

Social media allows Airmen to interact on various levels and opens up the lines of communication that are otherwise impossible, allowing Citizen Airmen to tell their story to the world.  Help tell the 403rd Wing's story at www.facebook.com/403wg.