U.S. Army Social Media

ARMY SOCIAL MEDIA

Policies and Resources

Social media is a powerful tool we use to communicate on a daily basis to tell the Army's story. It offers an opportunity to inform, influence and engage your audience with content that communicates the values of your organization.

This website will acquaint you with your role in Army social media and provide you with policies, guidance and recommendations on how you can become a more effective communicator and representative of the U.S. Army – creating an environment where trusted information is disseminated to the Army Family and the public.

FAQs
Pro Tips

Policies and Guidance

FAQs

You are looking at it and yes, it is printer friendly. The previous PDF handbook was transformed to a website in 2016. Updates can be made more frequently, keeping the field current and targeted information sought out easier to access.

Delegated release authority is from the commander. Social media managers are not authorized to speak on behalf of the unit, the commander or the Army without delegated release authority. The commander’s release authority is usually equal to his or her authority in other matters. Just because a commander has command and control of his installation in such matters as personnel, housing and operations, it doesn’t always mean he is authorized to release information about events that happen on or near his installation.

Yes. However, It must be approved by the commander and it still must follow DOD and U.S. Army requirements. Please refer to requirements on the "managers” page. Without a releasing authority reviewing all content before it is published, it cannot qualify to be registered in the social media directory.

Each platform has different requirements in obtaining a badge:

  • Facebook: Request a badge at https://www.facebook.com/help/media/ or contact a member of the social media team.
  • Twitter: Not accepting any public submissions for verification and have introduced new guidelines for the program.
  • Instagram: Right now, only some public figures, celebrities and brands have verified badges. It's not currently possible to request or purchase a verified badge.

Please refer to the “Scams” page on how to report to each platform. For Facebook, please contact OCPA DMD to gain access to the media support portal. You must be the admin of your senior leader’s page.

U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command (CID) receives hundreds of reports a month from individuals who have fallen victim to a scam perpetrated by a person impersonating a U.S. Soldier online. For more information, visit our “Scams” page.

If the Soldier was photographed in his or her uniform while performing official duties, then no, the photo cannot be removed. Soldiers do not have an expectation of privacy rights when photographed in uniform while performing their Army duties. In certain cases, the photo can be removed if an official letter is presented from the Soldier’s commander or U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command (CID) demonstrating that the continued presence of the photo or photos would constitute an unwarranted invasion of the Soldier’s privacy, violates OPSEC, or endangers safety.

You must attend an in-person three-day OPSEC Level II course. You can sign up for the course at: https://www.1stiocmd.army.mil/home/osetraining, contact your OPSEC Program manager, or training coordinator.

Yes, however, there are strict restrictions such as written permission to use the content and more. Learn more at: https://www.army.mil/article/228502/

No, the only Army assets that are authorized to use money on social media ads are recruiting organizations and the Army Marketing Group. Learn more at: https://www.army.mil/article/228502/

Pro Tips

External Links Disclaimer: The appearance of hyperlinks to external sites does not constitute endorsement by the Department of the Army of the linked website or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities such as military exchanges and Morale, Welfare and Recreation sites, the Department of the Army does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this DoD website.

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