It’s no surprise that our active duty service members are using today’s technology – including social media, blogging, texting and instant messaging – to stay in touch with family and friends, while also sharing their personal stories and experiences.
Also, there are more veterans – from all peacetime and combat eras – online today than ever before.
Clearly, there are certain rules and regulations regarding whether active duty service members are allowed to carry or use mobile phones, devices or computers. Always respect and follow what you or your spouse is allowed to do while serving.
What are the benefits for being connected while serving?
For years, communication between active duty military and their families was limited to the occasional phone call home or handwritten letters.
Today, communications enable our service members to remain in touch – in real time, in some cases – with their spouses, children and friends.
With these technological advances, communications between our active duty service members can either be personal – a text between spouses – or public – blogging about every day life from the front lines.
Another benefit for being connected is that it’s a great way to rally support for the troops and veterans through live blogging, posting on personal websites or contributing to online forums. A great place to read blogs and stories from active duty members, and contribute your own personal story is at Active Duty: Soldier Blog Posts.
Further, spouses and children of active duty service members may find support online and connect with others going through the same thing. For example, Army Wives’ Lives and Wife of a Sailor offers opportunities for wives and significant others of active duty members to submit guest blogs about their experiences. Though this sort of connection isn’t as direct as a phone call or text message, it still is a valuable form of communication.
How are service members connected today?
· Personal Websites and Blogs
If you’re interested in writing about your own active duty life, try free services like WordPress or Blogger.
· Social Media
Today, the most popular social media networks include Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn. All are free to set up.
· Skype
· Instant Messaging
· Texting
· Mobile phones
