UPDATE February 27, 2010 at 11:00 -- I just published an updated article on this for the Huffington Post US Department of Defense Ahead of Most Companies with a New Social Media Policy
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Just an hour ago, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) released its official policy covering new media and social media.
With some three million employees, the DoD is one of the largest organizations in the world.
This is big news.
I'm still digesting what’s in here, but wanted to get this out right away.
The policy (Directive-Type Memorandum 09-026), which is effective immediately, states that employees of DoD (U.S. the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marines) can use new media.
Read about it on the Department of Defense blog
Late last year, I had an opportunity to visit The Pentagon and spend time with Roxie Merritt, Director of New Media Operations at the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs in the U.S. Department of Defense (the top social media person at the DoD). At the time she was working on this policy
She told me at the time: “It's not about controlling the message any more. It's about giving people as much information and resources and facts as they can."
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Interesting that the US military would support the use of social media. Very positive.
I still see companies banning social media from the workplace. To me that feels a little bit like someone trying to plug Niagara Falls! Instead of trying to stop the inevitable, it is much wiser for today's employers to discover ways to maximize their employee's use of social media to their benefit.
Posted by: Steve Jones | February 26, 2010 at 04:17 PM
Good reporting David and I'm glad that they chose the social media route before they no longer had the choice.
Posted by: Dan Schawbel | February 26, 2010 at 06:41 PM
If you can't beat 'em, join 'em, right? It makes sense, though. You have to reach people where they are.
Nice article.
Posted by: Carla Vaughan | February 27, 2010 at 03:21 PM
It's a brave new world.
Even the military, steep in rich tradition, needs to address the changing times.
Posted by: Paul Anthony Kelly | March 01, 2010 at 03:48 PM
Good reporting!
So, are you helping DoD do "World Wide Rave"s for America?
I like that book so much I recommend it to any colleagues/friends interested in buzz and viral marketing!
george
http://ethicminds.blogspot.com/
Posted by: george naing | March 01, 2010 at 11:46 PM