Social Media and Military Careers: Navigating the Digital Minefield

By Stephanie Kral | May 9, 2025

The Double-Edged Sword of Social Media for Service Members

In today’s interconnected world, social media platforms have become an integral part of our daily lives. For military personnel, however, these digital spaces present unique challenges and risks that can significantly impact careers and operational security. While social media offers valuable ways to stay connected with family and friends, the same platforms can become career-ending liabilities when misused.

Understanding the Military’s Social Media Regulations

The Department of Defense has established guidelines regarding social media use for service members. These regulations aren’t designed to restrict free speech but rather to maintain good order and discipline while protecting operational security. Military personnel remain subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) even when posting online, with several articles directly applicable to social media activity:

Article 88: Contempt toward officials
Article 89: Disrespect toward superior commissioned officers
Article 91: Insubordinate conduct toward warrant officer, NCO, or petty officer
Article 133: Conduct unbecoming an officer and gentleman
Article 134: General article (covering conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline)

Recent Cases: When Posts Lead to Punishment

Several service members have faced serious consequences for their social media activities in recent years. Let’s examine some notable examples:

Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Scheller

In August 2021, Marine LtCol Stuart Scheller posted videos on social media criticizing military leadership over the Afghanistan withdrawal. His public criticism of the Biden administration and senior military officials led to his relief from command, and he ultimately resigned from the Marine Corps after 17 years of service. Scheller faced court-martial charges including contempt toward officials, disrespect toward superior commissioned officers, and conduct unbecoming an officer.

Major Jamie Schwandt

Army Reserve Major Jamie Schwandt faced backlash for sharing his religious and political opinions in a YouTube video while in uniform. He received a developmental counseling form, and found himself in the middle of media controversy.

Multiple Cases During COVID-19 Policies

Several service members across branches faced disciplinary action for posts criticizing military COVID-19 policies during both the Trump and Biden administrations. These cases typically involved accusations of undermining good order and discipline, rather than legitimate policy discussion through appropriate channels.

Positive Example: SGM Michael Grinston’s Effective Social Media Engagement

In contrast to these cautionary tales, Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Grinston demonstrated how social media can be used effectively to drive positive change and engage with service members. During his tenure as the Army’s senior enlisted leader (2019-2023), SGM Grinston used platforms like Twitter (now X) and Instagram to:

Launch and promote the “This Is My Squad” initiative, fostering unit cohesion and leadership development
Address difficult topics like racism, sexual harassment, and suicide prevention directly with soldiers
Gather real-time feedback on quality of life issues affecting enlisted personnel
Transparently communicate policy changes and their rationale
Humanize senior leadership by sharing personal stories and experiences

SGM Grinston’s approach demonstrated how military leaders can leverage social media to improve communication, build trust, and implement meaningful organizational changes without crossing regulatory boundaries.

Operational Security (OPSEC) Concerns

Beyond political speech, seemingly innocent posts can compromise operational security:

Location data embedded in photos revealing deployment locations
Background details in videos exposing sensitive equipment or facilities
Posting about movement timelines that adversaries could exploit
Mentioning casualties before official notifications are complete

Practical Guidelines for Service Members

To navigate social media safely while serving in the military:

Understand the rules: Familiarize yourself with DoD Instruction 1344.10 and your branch-specific social media policies.
Maintain political neutrality online: As a service member, avoid publicly endorsing political candidates or parties, or criticizing senior leadership including the President as Commander-in-Chief.
Practice OPSEC awareness: Never share deployment details, location information, or operational capabilities.
Separate personal and professional personas: Consider maintaining separate accounts or strict privacy settings.
Think before posting: Ask yourself if your content could be misconstrued or used against you or your unit.
Document review: When in doubt, have a superior or Public Affairs Officer review questionable content before posting.

Legal Support for Military Personnel: Why You Need Kral Military Defense

Social media misconduct can trigger severe career consequences that many service members don’t fully appreciate until they’re facing them. The potential repercussions extend far beyond a simple reprimand:

Serious Consequences for Social Media Violations

Nonjudicial Punishment (Article 15/Captain’s Mast): Even at this “lower” level of discipline, NJP can result in reduction in rank, forfeiture of pay, extra duties, and restrictions that immediately impact your quality of life and financial stability.
General Officer Memorandum of Reprimand (GOMOR): These career-altering reprimands can be filed permanently in your official military personnel file, affecting promotion opportunities and potentially forcing you out at your next retention decision point.
Administrative Separation: The military can administratively separate service members for social media misconduct, potentially with an Other Than Honorable discharge that strips you of critical veterans benefits and follows you into civilian employment.
Court-Martial: In severe cases involving things like classified information, threats, or extreme political speech, service members may face court-martial with potential confinement, punitive discharge, and complete loss of benefits.

Why KMD’s Specialized Representation Makes the Difference

At Kral Military Defense, we bring specialized expertise to social media-related military legal issues:

Early Intervention: Our attorneys can often mitigate damage by engaging with command early, before an investigation solidifies into formal charges.
Deep UCMJ Knowledge: We understand the nuanced application of UCMJ articles to digital speech and conduct.
First Amendment Expertise: We identify when commands overstep their bounds in restricting protected speech versus legitimate military discipline concerns.
Case-Building Skills: Our team knows how to gather evidence showing your posts weren’t intended to undermine good order and discipline or that they fall within protected expression.
Proven Track Record: We’ve successfully defended service members facing social media-related charges across all branches, preserving careers that might otherwise have ended.

When to Contact KMD

Don’t wait until you are served with paperwork. If you’re facing any of these situations, contact Kral Military Defense immediately:

You’ve been told your social media posts are under investigation
Your command has counseled you about your online activity
You’ve received a rights advisement related to online posts
You’re concerned about political content you’ve shared while in uniform
You believe you’re being targeted for legitimate, protected speech

Our team provides confidential consultations to assess your situation and develop a strategic defense plan. With careers and benefits at stake, professional military legal representation isn’t optional—it’s essential.

Conclusion

Social media presents both opportunities and pitfalls for military personnel. By understanding the regulations, being mindful of OPSEC, and exercising good judgment online, service members can maintain their digital connections without jeopardizing their careers or mission security.

However, if you find yourself facing adverse action for social media activity, don’t attempt to navigate the complex military justice system alone. Contact Kral Military Defense immediately to protect your rights, your career, and your future.