TECHNOLOGY AND TROOP MORALECreated by: Ruben Vargas

IFS101 – Spring 2013

WALK A MILE IN THEIR SHOES

troops often felt isolated and lonely

Before cell-phones and internet…

COMMUNICATION OBSTACLESAccess to Phones was difficult

Not everyone had them Calling could be expensive

SNAIL MAILOften times, mail took weeks to receive. One of the most anticipated times of a service-member’s day is mail-call.

Even though technology has advanced to where email, instant-messages and the internet make communication instantaneous; troops still sometimes feel a handwritten letter is better than what technology has to offer.

It’s just more personal!

MILITARY SOCIAL CULTURE FILLS THE VOID WHEN TECHNOLOGY IS ABSENT

Military families helped buffer loneliness when expensive phone calls were not affordable, and mail delivery was slow

Military families create dynamic social cultures for building morale and bonding

HOW HAS TECHNOLOGY IMPACTED TROOP MORALE?

Troops are always able to check-inCell-Phone Capability

Video Chat allows face-to-face timeWebcam Chat Capability

Internet and Social Media replace mailEmail Capability

TECHNOLOGY IMPROVES MORALE, BUT CAN HAVE CONSEQUENCES AT

THE SAME TIME

Troop Safety JeopardizedTroops may inadvertently give away location to enemies due to GPS signaling on their cell-phone

Viruses Might Be DownloadedComputer viruses might infect government computers and cause failures or security threats

Matters of PrivacyPersonal posts may be monitored; privacy is not to be expected; activity and personal posts could result in legal repercussions

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