More on Strategic Communication and New Media

This is from a TTI for a class I'm to conduct.
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The growth of social networking sites in the past few years has created both challenges and opportunities for the military. To the positive, these sites provide a unique venue to target those in the primary recruiting age (18-24). On the negative side, the growth of social networks on the Internet has provided a haven to radical Islamic elements and also provided them a venue to recruit members. Likewise, the growth of blogs, text messaging and other aspects of telecommunications comprise the every day lives of our young servicemembers. As communication advisors, we need to be cognizant and savvy communicators in this world. Today, we are going to spend some time discussing the positive aspects of social networking sites and other telecommunications trends and look at ways you as PAOs can use these tools to communicate more directly to young servicemembers and your target audience.
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One strategic point; this is about more than recruiting. This is a strategic field in the battle of ideas. If our ideas are not in this battlespace we cede the area to the enemy. This includes not just recruiting, but all logistical support. All support stems from political will and if we do not provide a counter to the images and messages communicated here, we open a path to our flank which protects our supply lines.