According to SECNAVINST 5720.47B, yes…within reason.
a. DON commands may not operate unmoderated news groups, bulletin boards, or any other unrestricted access posting services. This specifically prohibits a publicly accessible, interactive site that supports automatic posting of information submitted by personnel other than those authorized by the command to post information. Some Web logs (blogs) may fall into this category. This does not, however, prohibit the command from posting frequent messages from the commanding officer or messages from the command’s constituents. There is also no prohibition on blogs operated by individual members as private citizens. The DON recognizes the value of this communication channel in posting current information and supporting the morale of personnel, their family and friends. As long as personnel adhere to specific restrictions on content, the DON encourages the use of blogs and recognizes this free flow of information contributes to legitimate transparency of the DON to the American public whom we serve.
Just a useful tidbit of info I found while reading Yankee Sailor’s awesome MilBlogging Rules of Engagement (ROE).
Comments 5
I heard no one in the military or navy or whatever is allowed to blog anything without permission from a higherup! is that still going on?
Posted 16 Nov 2007 at 11:26 am ¶I think you’re talking about the Army. There was an OPSEC instruction, which I believe is linked on the MilBlogging ROE site, that says blogs require some type of authorization before posting.
The Navy seems to work a little different than the other services. When the Department of Defense (DOD) releases an instruction, the Department of the Navy (DON) will create another instruction based on the original, with some added stipulations. Then the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) will release his own instruction based off the DON’s with his own stipulations. This process will continue all the way down to the local unit, which could ultimately be more restrictive, but not against anything the original DOD instruction stated. This is why it’s so confusing to understand what instructions to follow.
While the other services might have something in black and white, the Navy’s answer is usually left up to your immediate supervisor, because even then they could make more restrictive requirements. The bottom line, it doesn’t matter what instructions really say in the Navy. If someone wants you to do something, you’ll do it. They always find a way!
Posted 16 Nov 2007 at 8:30 pm ¶of course they would have to find your blog first. Though, using key words like “navy” or “USS whatever ship” might make it easier to locate on Google.
my recommendations: if you’re worried about opsec, delay your post until after the event, or don’t post it.
and some blogs have options to make certian entries private, or readable only by specified people.
Posted 09 Dec 2007 at 1:51 am ¶Lynne: You’re right, but honestly what would be the point of blogging then? Blogging is a means of mass communication, so making entries private seems to defeat the purpose in my opinion.
Truth is, my blog isn’t secret. Many people on my ship, including many Khakis read it. I try to be fair about what I talk about, never giving people an excuse to write me off as a douche bag. I also encourage people to comment on what I write in the event they don’t agree with something.
People could take a lot of measures to ensure their blogs remain “anonymous.” There are various anonymous e-mail services, public blog sites that allow posts via e-mail. The Navy even created a program called Tor, or The Onion Router, which makes your location nearly impossible to find due to its underlying technology.
Worst case scenario I could think of, is a local instruction preventing any access to sites like this. If that ever happens, I always have my home computer
Posted 09 Dec 2007 at 1:57 am ¶I just read the excerpt above from the DON instruction, which I assume is current. Common sense and 24 years in the Navy, combined with 10 years gov’t civil service, would tell me: don’t reveal anything that could be considered “classifed,”; don’t slander anyone by name if you can avoid it (libel); and keep in mind that the gov’t can always monitor your computer at work. If in doubt, don’t do it at all or do it on your home computer. Just my opinion … and keep them blogs comin!
Posted 25 Jan 2008 at 10:28 pm ¶Post a Comment
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