Heidi A Urben

Lcr, Like, Comment, Retweet: The State of the Military's Nonpartisan Ethic in the World of Social Media Heidi A Urben

Through a survey of more than 500 military elites attending the United States Military Academy and National Defense University, this project seeks to establish the nature and extent of political expression by members of the military throughout social media and whether or not such expression is in keeping with the norm of nonpartisanship.

Findings suggest that while most military elites continue to identify as conservative and Republican, fewer appear to do so today than at any other time over the past 30 years. Second, military elites actively use social media networking sites, although younger elites are more prolific in their use. Third, while respondents' nonmilitary friends were more politically active than their military friends, both active duty and retired military actively participate in multiple forms of political and partisan expression, from posting comments on political issues to "friending" political figures.

This study concludes by considering the implications these findings carry for the norms of an apolitical, nonpartisan military

"Technology and social media make it seductively easy for us to broadcast our private opinions far beyond the confines of our homes. The lines between the professional, personal--and virtual--are blurring. Now more than ever, we have to be exceptionally thoughtful about what we say and how we say it." -- General Martin E. Dempsey, USA (Ret.)

Military Leadership and Planners, Congress, Social Media Experts, Academicians in social media and communications

Related products:
Social Media: The Fastest Growing Vulnerability to the Air Force Mission can be found here: https: //bookstore.gpo.gov/products/social-media-fastest-growing-vulnerability-air-force-mission

Social Media, The Vital Ground: Can We Hold It? is available here: https: //bookstore.gpo.gov/products/social-media-vital-ground-can-we-hold-it

Other products published by the US Army, National Defense University Press can be found here: https: //bookstore.gpo.gov/agency/national-defense-university-ndu