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Show Hffltof. TIMES October 18, 2007 COMMENTARY Leadership in blogging during times of war 67cshdocs. One particular account 75th Mission Support Squadron commander caused concern within his chain of command and ILL AIR FORCE BASE — The the Army asked Cohen to blogosphere is a powerful medium and shut down his blog and the is growing in readership arid creators satellite network he had daily. personally constructed Just imagine if survivors from the Battle which was supporting 42 of Gettysburg were able to immediately send other military families their thoughts and first-hand reports to the Lt. Cot. Thaden blogs. As with and related citizens of a young nation at war. The interHartley, Cohen decided not to challenge the connectedness which the Internet provides order. He was too close to returning home and humans today makes it possible for airmen in decided to comply. Iraq to do just that — post their thoughts and reflections regarding an upcoming or recently Perhaps these are modern day accomplished mission, to include pictures and interpretations of what Justice Oliver Wendell video, on a blog in Iraq. Holmes referred to as "a clear and present Within seconds this news from the frontlines danger" which he asserted in Schenck v. United States in 1919. can be read by thousands if not millions , Hockenberry states: "The question in every of people worldwide. The blogosphere has spawned debates regarding freedom of speech case is whether the words are used in such circumstances and are of such a nature as to and presents unique challenges for military cause a clear and present danger... When a leaders. nation is at war many things that might be said What constitutes free speech in a military in time of peace are such a hindrance to its context has entered a new dimension given effort that their utterance will not be endured so recent operations in Iraq and the introduction long as men fight." of the blogosphere. According to John Blogging is a reality and if leaders have Hockenberry, author of the Blogs of War, Army not taken the opportunity to learn more, you reservist Jason Hartley was ordered to shut down his blog, named Just Another Soldier, soon would do well to experience the blogosphere. Bloggers tend to be young, intellectually savvy, after he posted comments on his blog which and uninhibited from expressing their points caused concern among Pentagon officials. of view. While we encourage open exchanges Similarly, Maj. Michael Cohen, a doctor of ideas, left unchecked, free expression such formerly based at the 67th Combat Support as this can lead to trouble for airmen and Hospital in Mosul, described his wartime leadership. experience to the world via his blog titled COMMENTARY BY L.T. COL. FREDERICK THADEN TIMES H Hilltop Times Editorial Staff: Lee Carter... Standard-Examiner publisher Andy Howell Standard-Examiner managing editor Tom Buswlberg Hilltop Times? editor Mitch Shaw Military affairs reporter Deadlines; Editorial and news items are due by noon on the Friday priof to the Thuriday print date. To submit new* itemi e-mail hilltoptrmes4Jstandard.net or call 529-5250. For advertising, call 625-4300. The Hilltop Times is published by Ogden Publishing Corp. in cooperation with Hill Air Force Base. Ogden Publishing is a private company in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force and is solely responsible for the content and advertising. Contents of the Hill Top Times are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense or the Air Force. The appearance of advertisements in this publication, including inserts or supplements/does not constitute endorsement by the Air Force. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Standard-Examiner's Davis County Office, 67 S. Main St., Suite 104, Layton, Utah, 84041. Additional editorial content is provided by various military and civilian wire services and Hill Air Force Base public affairs departments. Call 629-5220 with story ideas or comments, or send e-mail to Editor Tom Busselberg at tbusselberg® standard.net. Call 625-4300 for advertising needs. 777-7000 action.line.pa@hill.af.mil Q A l have noticed there are some homes in base housing that don't have spot or flood lights illuminating the flag at night. What are the rules for illuminating the flag? Thanks for your question, and you are right, flags must have adequate lighting on them during the nighttime hours. According to U.S. Code: Title 4, Chapter *1, flags should have lighting, whether a light is intended to illuminate the flag or other lighting that makes the flag clearly visible, like porch lighting, for example. Our residents should bear in mind that if the lights are turned off at any time during the night, the'flags should be brought inside. Boyer Hill Military Housing plans to publish the proper method of displaying flags in this month's newsletter to housing residents. Phone numbers — The base agencies listed can be contacted directly if you have a complaint or a problem with their services: Nest Furthermore, while serving as a deployed leader, it is imperative you understand the appropriate guidelines and policies with respect to blogs. For example, you should know who is actively blogging and you should review the content of their blog for the good of your airmen, unit, and missioa You should be familiar with what acceptable content in a blog is and what the appropriate limits to place on blogging are. Understand that in many cases blogging is the airman's chosen method of connecting with familiar people and escaping the horror of war or the mundane of long deployments. If conducted properly, blogging is healthy and is also a huge boost to morale. However, it is always incumbent on the leader to ensure the troops are aware of and following proper procedures. The Pentagon operational security working group recently published a brochure on the topic which can be viewed at httpsi/Avww. us.army.mil. As with most resources known to mankind, they can be used for productive or destructive purposes. The blogosphere is no different. Anyone with a computer and an internet connection can produce a blog and freely express their thoughts to whomsoever will read This relatively new capability gives great power to the blogger and leader alike. The critical take-away for military leaders to understand is our speech within the military is limited for sound reasons and the blogosphere simply presents one more method for those limits to be tested, and one more tool for leaders to lead their airmen. TODD CROMAR/U.S. Air Force Col. Linda Mecller (right), 75th Air Base Wing vice commander, presents a check to Team Hill's Operation Warmheart program during the recent Combined Federal Campaign kick-off luncheon. When you call or send an e-mail, your com- in answering questions and solving problems ments will be recorded and staffed through before calling the Action Line. This will help the agency responsible for action. me better serve your interests. Items of basewide interest will be published in the Hilltop Please give your supervisor and chain of Times. command the opportunity to work with you Security Forces 777-5550 Military Pay 777-1851 24-hr. Crisis lnformation...777-3056 Civilian Pay 777^246 Services 777-4134 Air Force Suggestion 777-6901 Base Restaurants 777-2043 Program Retirement/Compensation... 777-6142 IG Complaints 777-5305 . (civilian) (for appointment) IC Complaints 777-5361 Social Actions 777-3516 Employer Relations 777-7129 (after hours) Fraud, Waste or Abuse 777-5361 (recording) 75th Medical Croup 777-4918 Civil Engineering 777-1856 Hill Pride Hotline 777-7433 Public Affairs 777-5201 Public Affairs Information ..777-%% Control Une Military Housing 777-2963 Maintenance Safety Office 777-3333 Union 777-3257 AFOSI Narcotics Hotline....777-1852 Family Assistance Center...777-3090 (when activated) FiintrtiiTip liom iH« Hnalih jnd WHIn*ni C*nlcr The Surgeon General's recommendations for physical activity were upgraded in January 2003. Since 1996, heart disease and obesity rates have continued to climb and activity levels have continued to plummet In an attempt to end this destructive path, the new guidelines were developed. The current recommendations are 60 minutes of exercise on most days. What would your dream |L assignment be? THINK SAFETY Hill's Total 2007 DUIs: 18 Hill's Last DUI: Oct. 10 Unit Involved: Airmen Against Drinking and Driving provldt ridei when designated drivers arc unavailable. Catl 777-11 ti any time to request a ride. Marylyn Aldana 510 Combat Sustainment Squadron "I'd go anywhere in Europe because I've always wanted to go there but I've never been. Jeff Shelton 582 Missile Maintenance Squadron Senior Airman Matt Dockins 75th Security Forces Squadron "I'm at my dream assignment already because I like my job here." "I've been here for two and a half years, so when I leave, I'd like to go to Ramstein (Air Base, Germany) because it would be nice to go overseas." Capt. David Katwyk Air Force Research Lab "I've always wanted to go to Vandenberg (Caiif.) so I can watch them launch satellites. |