U.S. Army social media managers are public affairs Soldiers, civilians or contractors in charge of managing an organization or leader's official social media presence, such as accounts on Facebook, YouTube, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Registered accounts that use federal government resources (including time, manpower and funds) to communicate the work of the Army are considered official.
Commanders may designate personnel as social media managers who do not require release authority. However, a PAO must provide oversight and approve information prior to release.
If you are assigned the duties of a social media manager, you will be required to complete specific training requirements, and you will be expected to serve as the subject matter expert on social media policies, techniques and best practices. As part of your duties, you will actively engage the public, ensuring that you consider and promote unity of voice, freedom of information, timeliness and accuracy while maintaining security, and privacy.
Personnel managing Army social media platforms must:
Social media managers actively engage the public, ensuring that they consider and promote unity of voice, freedom of information, timeliness and accuracy while maintaining security and privacy.
The Enterprise Army Brand is a strategic brand marketing initiative designed to assist the Army in developing a unified approach to all communications and messaging.
All brand-use guidelines will be hosted on the Army Brand Portal.
NEW ACCOUNTS
Do not use, test or otherwise engage on new platforms for official use
Some social media and content management platforms currently approved for official use are:
A complete list of approved applications can be found in the DoD Application Vetting Environment (DAVE) — CAC enabled. This system is a database for mobile applications and approval requests.
New platforms must be reviewed by DISA. Do not create official accounts on social media platforms that have not been approved for use. Review the DAVE system if you are unsure whether a platform is approved for official use.
TikTok is not approved for official use.
All accounts created and managed using federal government resources (including time, manpower and funds) to communicate the work of the Army must be registered.
DoDI 5400.17, section 4.1.b., directs official Army accounts to be registered on the Defense.gov registry and U.S. Digital Registry, AR 360-1, chapter 8, directs official Army accounts to be registered on the Army's Social Media Directory.
Brigade/garrison and higher are the only organizations authorized a PAO with release authority and understanding of OPSEC/SAPP/PII/HIPAA/Hatch Act review.
The Office of the Chief of Public Affairs Digital Media Division (DMD) conducts periodic audits of the Army Social Media Directory to ensure units are complying with applicable guidelines, SOPs, policies and regulations. Units are notified of violations found during the audits and may be removed from the directory if the violations are not corrected. The most recent posts on an account should be no older than one month, and the account should be updated on a weekly basis at minimum.
Personnel managing or having access to an official social media account will coordinate with their local information technology offices and sign an acceptable use policy agreement with specific, mandatory language.
If the existing acceptable use policy agreement does not contain the required language, it should be amended or a separate statement containing the language should be signed.
Commanding officer or qualified public affairs officer approval to establish platform
Content that is released to the public on social media platforms requires review by a public affairs officer that has release authority from the commander.
Social media managers are not authorized to speak on behalf of the unit, the commander or the Army without the appropriate level of release authority. Public affairs officers will provie oversight for any posts social media managers draft.
Additionally, contractors may not speak on behalf of the government. Any publishing by contractor personnel must be approved by a PAO.
Social media managers are required to complete OPSEC training to avoid content on their unit's critical information list (CIL).
Content released to the public on social media platforms requires an OPSEC review.
Point of contact: Must list a valid .mil or .gov email address
The account must have a URL to an official U.S. Army website. Use your command's website or www.army.mil if your organization does not have a website.
An account must have a user terms of agreement statement listed on the social media platform that informs visitors of what is authorized when interacting on the platform. It must include:
In order for an organization to maintain an official social media account, the organization must clearly signal that the account is “official” somewhere on the page in accordance with DOD and U.S. Army policy. An example of the specific wording can be found in the left-hand column of the U.S. Army Facebook page or at the top of the U.S. Army X (formerly Twitter) account.
All official accounts must be open to the public. Private groups, accounts or feeds will NOT be registered on the Army Social Media Directory, the Defense.gov registry and U.S. Digital Registry.
In order for a Facebook account to operate in an official capacity, the account must be registered and labeled as a “government organization” account. The use of a Facebook profile, community or group page for official purposes would violate the government's terms of service agreement with Facebook.
Submit the social media account for registration and approval on the U.S. Army Social Media Directory. In addition to the Army Social Media Registry, all social media accounts must also be registered on the Defense.gov registry
Ensure your security settings are maximized and include two-step verification if available by the platform.
Ensure you maintain an SOP or continuity book to ensure the account seamlessly transitions to new personnel.
All social media content posted to official accounts is considered an official communication, and therefore a federal record. Please see our section regarding operations to learn more about managing an official social media account for the U.S. Army. Included are guidelines, resources, tips and frequently asked questions.
Utilize best practices
Soldiers use social media every day. It is a part of their daily routine. It’s natural and important to them. Roughly three-quarters of Facebook users – and around half of Instagram users – visit these sites at least once a day.
For strategic communication resources visit:
Public Affairs Portal (CAC login required)
And for further social media insights, guidance and resources, please visit:
U.S. Army Social Media Best Practices (CAC login required)
If you are experiencing difficulty with any of the following issues, here are some resources that may help.
There are many different types of online fraud and cybercrimes. U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command (CID) receives hundreds of reports a month from individuals who have fallen victim to a scam perpetrated by a person impersonating a U.S. Soldier online.
Learn how to report a suspected scam
Soldiers, especially leaders, are prime targets for identity thieves who will use images posted online to create fake accounts. It is good practice to search sites regularly for impostors. Impostor accounts are violations of terms of use agreements.
Report an imposter social media account
Misusing online communications (online bullying), sending harassing or intimidating communications and images, or other online misconduct may violate existing federal laws under the U.S. Code and may also be a violation of the UCMJ. Regulation 600-20 authorizes commanders to punish Soldiers who are in violation of its direction, making failure to adhere to the Army's rules for online behavior a punishable offense under the UCMJ. There are mechanisms for reporting online misconduct.
Learn how to report misconduct.
First, contact the respective social media platform lead at the Office of the Chief of Public Affairs Digital Media Division. The DMD POC will contact the platform on your behalf.
See additional actions and safety guidance.