Macro Level Blogging

Macro level blogging is seen as a replacement of propaganda letters widely used during World War II. On this level, blogging is a sophisticated instrument of influences on a large scale (regions, countries, communities). The Army has an option to create its own blogging environment or hire already promoted authors in order to pursue certain goals (Kinniburgh, 2006). The effect of information delivered by blogger directly depends on his/her social status in a particular area. Blogs can be used in order to supply misleading information for enemy combat units, but this tool is rather risky to rely on. The effect of blog originated information is proven historically. Bloggers are considered independent and unprejudiced authors and, therefore, enjoy rather strong public trust. Blogging for the sake of experience sharing and mere communication among servicemen can be very effective, but requires a certain degree of information control. Information operations, conducted with the help of blogs, can be very supportive in achieving strategic goals.

Is Military Blogging Risky Business?

Military blogging was separated into a separate group, namely milblogs or warblogs. Resources represented in this group on a micro level can be very useful. For example, one of the frequently visited resources www.milblogging.com stores large volumes of information on actual field experience of US Marines in different locations. Information about combat operations is very useful in terms of education for other Marines and can serve as a coordination tool for high command in future operations. The importance of the information in this case is supported by the fact that it is "first-hand." This information is often not censored, therefore, it allows acquiring objective information. Another resource, called www.military-blogs.military.com has numerous blog posts separated into functional groups: defense tech, military fitness, military education, real military transition stories, soldier's perspective etc. The use of those blogs for increasing the quality of military experience and education is obvious. Marines share an overall military service impression for the ones who intend to enroll; discuss combat techniques based on experience in order to excel in real operations; share information about coming back to civil life for those who are about to finish service. Blogging is a broad and effective network, which often provides information unavailable under regular military study framework. On the other hand, many officials worry about the fact of information disclosure. Resources such as Twitter, Facebook and blogs imply the risk of information leakage prior to combat operation. Moreover, social networks carry a high risk of spyware intrusion into the central system. Both factors lead to significant loss of competitive advantage of the Army due to the leverage provided by information globalization. Written, video, audio military information retrievable from internet resources can contain very important facts without intent of disclosure. In this aspect blogging may become exposed to the procedure of censorship, which negatively influences previously mentioned advantages of information exchange (Shachtman, 2009).

Levels of Military Blogging

The use of blogs in a military field initially can be considered as a distorted substitute for or supplement to regular mail to relatives and friends. However, the recent viral outbreak of blogging and, as a result, development of blogosphere has put this hobby into a category of strategic issues. In recent years, blogs have become closely integrated into mainstream media channels. The authors of blogs started to shape social opinion as much as the most famous reporters and journalists. The military concern in this case is that a simple note in a diary of a soldier or an officer can make a tremendous impact on the image of army, military policy of the country, reveal confidential information, etc (Anderson, 2009). Speaking of blogging in the military, it is necessary to distinguish two main levels of functioning:
1. Micor level - which represents blogging as a tool for communication and experience sharing;
2. Macro level - which represents blogging as a source of information campaigns and informational influence.

Blogs in the Military

I am an active duty member of the U.S. Navy and currently working on my Master's Degree in Interactive Technology at the University of Alabama. I am starting a blog on how the military utilizes blogs. These days information has just about as much power as the military force if not more. Information plays an important role both in influencing society and conducting successful military operations. With the development of the Internet, more and more channels of information transfer are emerging. E-mails, social networks, blogs, and YouTube have become an integral part of our lives. Despite being intended as a socializing tool, these resources can be very influential in political and even military terms. How do you think the military might utilize a blog?