Jennifer Horowitz asked me to post on this topic, so in the spirit of dialogue here we go! Wired magazine and FCW have reported on the Department of the Army’s new restrictive blogging policy for soldiers. From FCW:

“The Army has decreed its personnel will…consult with their immediate supervisor and their OPSEC officer for an OPSEC review prior to publishing or posting information in a public forum. …This includes, but is not limited to letters, resumes, articles for publication, electronic mail (e-mail), Web site postings, Web log (blog) postings, discussion in Internet information forums, discussion in Internet message boards or other forms of dissemination or documentation.â€?

The regulation applies to “military and civilian personnel of the Active Army, the Army National Guard of the United States/Army National Guard, the United States Army Reserve and related activities of those organizations. Contractors must comply with contractually imposed Operations Security requirements. This regulation applies during all phases of operations, including training, readiness and mobilization.�

Family members also are included in the definition of “Total Army,� which defines the community over which the Army Department has jurisdiction.

OK, I understand the Army not wanting strategic information assets being written about online; however, in my opinion, this policy is way too restrictive. Further, I think this will create further animosity between the homeland and our out-of-touch administration and military leadership who feel that continued war operations are an acceptable course of action.

Milblogging has been a great way for family and friends to stay in touch with our soldiers abroad, plus have given us some transparent insights into the real difficulties of war. In short, it builds compassion and sympathy towards these boys and girls (yes, the language is correct, because that is what an 18 year old really is) who are sent to war on our behalf! To restrict the lower ranks of soldiers and their families from interacting with this communications tool is ridiculous, and short sighted.

Control is something human beings tend to reject. We cherish our freedom, particularly in this country. Nothing typifies freedom more than our ability speak our minds (see First Amendment). Is this a military decision, or a restriction of rights? The latter in my opinion.

I also think this will blow up in the Army’s face. Underground blogging will occur and the posts will be much more genuine, and much less flattering for the Army.

A Soldier’s Perspective agrees with my opinions. Here’s what he had to say, “Military blogs are the best form of public relations that the Army has.” And, “If this means that I need to get out of the military of maintain my civil rights, I guess that’s what I need to do. I don’t believe that a person should have to choose between their civil rights and military service.”

No End But Victory says, “We need news and facts and reality-based perspective. The Army just took that away, whether on purpose or as collateral damage…”

I would like to tell you that I am outraged, but there is no surprise here. It’s just another ridiculous decision by a ridculous administration. I don’t care who wins in 2008 so long as their last name is not Bush.

And what does the supposed leading federal blog, FCW Insider say? Nothing, just quotes from the directive. Here’s where a publication driven blog fails to serve its purpose: No opinion.

What do you think?