Reality Check

BLACKFIVE: The END of Military Blogging

Somewhere in the back of someone’s little mind is the idea that even our own military can’t be properly trusted with the secrets they are already entrusted with.

A long time ago, perhaps 7 or 8 years ago, the military told several of us to “sanitize” our web sites of anything that gave our name, images, family information or anything along that line. We were asked to use personal email addresses that did not include our real names.

I was personally asked, not ordered by a Commanding Officer if I would simply remove a biography from one of my web sites, because it had information in it that said “Who I am”. I thought, at the time,”Well, that might be a good idea if I were worried about someone coming to get me or my family”.

However, if there is ONE thing I have taught my children well, it is to “be not afraid of who you are”. We each and everyone of us, in the United States are Americans. I have fought to keep and defend the freedoms we now have.

That includes my freedom of speech and the freedom of speech of all of those in this country, even those with whom I disagree completely. Even Liberals (as much as it pains me to say it). But, this goes, in my humble opinion, well beyond the pale.

I have read, and enjoy, many of the blogs by military members. I write myself from a very unique perspective of being inside looking out at times. One thing I take very seriously though, is National Security. I’ve never given information out that would affect anyone’s mission. Troop movements, and information regarding missions are completely verboten in my writing. I don’t tell what I do, exactly, and I never will since it’s no one’s business but mine, my employer and my government — and even then, anything I MIGHT say is carefully written so as not to include anything sensitive.

Most, if not all military members whose blog sites I’ve perused are also careful as well.

Military members, and civilians alike are all part of this great nation and this is, indeed a form of censorship. Why? Simply because it comes from the Government itself.

Preventing the dissemination of classified material is one thing. It’s against the law. But, preventing a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine a chance to speak his or her mind, and to, well, basically vent sometimes. Venting is… good therapy. I know, I’ve seen combat a couple of times in my life, and I’ve never spoken much about to anyone, ever, anywhere. Some friends know about my background, but I never felt the need to tell everything.

But, sometimes I wonder why I didn’t tell the stories, why I haven’t used the writing ability I have to tell what happened — mostly because, I guess, to me it was personal and sometimes sharing such things isn’t really good for the listener. But, honestly, some people find themselves in scary, dangerous situations and they handle it badly, or they handle it well. Perhaps, and I’m reaching now because I really do not know, but perhaps our Military sharing stories and having a place to “bitch” about things is a kind of help that no mental health professional could ever give them.

More importantly to me, these folks have an outlet to put down what, in effect might be the last words they ever write down. Why prevent them from sharing with the world their thoughts? If I were being sent into battle, and were to die in that battle, I damned sure would want my last thoughts recorded before that battle.

Yes, this is… tough to think about, and tougher to write, but looking at it from a perspective of having been in the military, I had a job to do, and I couldn’t think about what might be, what was going on with my family while performing my duty, and it is a very, very unique aspect of all military people.

The Mission comes first, before self, before family, before even your own life. Even, I guess before Blogging.

I will say this last thing. This is a mistake, because those of us still working in the industry who are forced eventually to stop writing our thoughts because of a bad policy will cease working with the government, because, frankly these “policies” are directly contrary to the Constitution of the United States, and contrary to all I stand for. If and when such “thought crimes” come under attack by our own government, then everything, EVERYTHING for which I worked for the past 30 years will become null and void.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I submit to you that banning blogging and personal emails to our military is wrong thinking, wrong headed and completely against all common sense. I would urge the Command to rethink this very, very carefully, and to reconsider what you’re asking of people who are already in the trenches doing the dirty work. I’d ask you to reconsider this policy change, which appears to be based completely upon what may be “urban legend” and narrow mindedness.

Otherwise, do not ask for the best, the brightest and the hope of the future to join you in your fights, because, frankly they will not come.