Social networking group gives enlisted Airmen new avenue for communication with chief

  • Published
  • By Geoff Janes
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  In an effort to keep up with the changing ways Airmen get information on enlisted issues, Chief Master Sgt. Antonio Hickey, 100th Air Refueling Wing command chief, has worked with base public affairs to create a Facebook group.

The group, called the Mildenhall Microphone, will be open to all enlisted Airmen at RAF Mildenhall, and will hopefully provide a forum where they can share information with not only their peers but with base's highest enlisted representative.

Facebook allows its users to limit who can view their personal pages, so although they may become a member of the Mildenhall Microphone group, no one else in the group can see their page without their consent. The forum will provide a professional environment where people can voice concerns about everything from uniform issues to quality of life.

"This is a way for me to get feedback from Airmen who may be reluctant to speak up in other forums," said Chief Hickey. "This will allow me to hear that 'silent voice.'"

The rules for joining are simple. First and foremost, the applicant must be an enlisted member stationed at RAF Mildenhall. Secondly, the group is not a place to jump the chain of command, the chief said. Airmen should still go to their supervisors for individual issues. The Facebook group is for discussion of broad subjects with base-wide appeal.

"I am really hoping our folks take the time to get involved with this group, and hopefully they can help each other," Chief Hickey said. "Public Affairs is helping with the administration of the group, but I will be monitoring the site and will be providing topics for discussion as well."

Airmen are asked to remember they are professionals and the group has been put together to discuss issues in a professional manner.

"It's sort of like reality television," Capt. Sharon Branick, 100th ARW Public Affairs director said. "Inappropriate behavior will get you kicked off the island."  

Those participating should keep in mind that although this is a controlled group it is still on a social networking site. The core values apply, and likewise, operational security and Privacy Act guidelines must be followed.

This group has been set up as a means of communication with the command chief. It is an avenue where issues can be brought to light and discussed in such a way that Chief Hickey can check the pulse of the enlisted men and women at RAF Mildenhall. There will be several moderators watching the site to make sure everything's going smoothly.

Rules of Engagement:
· No classified information: Do not post classified, sensitive or for official use only information (for example, troop movement, force size, weapon details, etc.) If in doubt, talk to your supervisor or security manager.
· Avoid the offensive: Do not post any defamatory, libellous, vulgar, obscene, profane, threatening, racially and ethnically hateful, or otherwise offensive or illegal information or material.
· Don't violate privacy: Do not post any information that would infringe upon the propriety, privacy or personal rights of others.
· No impersonations: Do not forge or otherwise manipulate identifiers in your post in an attempt to disguise, impersonate or otherwise misrepresent your identity or affiliation with any other person or entity.
· Avoid copyright: Do not post any information or other material protected by copyright without the permission of the copyright owner.

Suggestions for topics will be accepted through the site, and the command chief will address topics he feels need to be discussed. 

How to join:
· For information on how Mildenhall Airmen can join the discussion, contact public affairs at DSN 238-2654. 

(Staff Sgt. Austin May contributed to this article.)