Air Force Updates Social Media Policy

An Air Force press release highlighted some specific aspects of military social media policy from the Air Force’s “top social media expert.”

Tanya Schusler is the chief of social media for the Air Force Public Affairs Agency, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas…

The article, as well as the updated cliff notes on the social media policy, continue to spend substantial time on official use of Facebook and other websites, though it does touch on personal use of social media as well — something that is not only permitted, but encouraged [emphasis added]:

Airmen’s social-media pages are their personal space, and they are encouraged to tell their personal Air Force stories through social networks. They simply need to ensure the information they post is cleared for release and within regulations…

“We don’t want Airmen to feel like they are stifled from sharing information,” Schusler said.

The only other reminder is the need to use a disclaimer “when posting personal opinions about Air Force topics,” a point also made in AFI 35-113.

The updated social media pamphlet — one of the first to discuss Air Force policy on social media since the publication of AFI 1-1 last year — can be found here.  The Army recently updated their policy, as well.

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