Joint Chiefs chairman discusses importance of respectful online conduct for service members

U.S. service members must always be aware that online behavior reflects on the military, according to recent statements from the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The statements from Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford generally referred to the "Marines United" group on Facebook where nude photos of female Marines were shared among service members.

Although the goal of the letter was to not specifically target the online group, Dunford emphasized the importance of dignity and respect among service members.

Dunford explained the recent revelations of bad cyberspace behavior could attract negative attention to service members and the military as a whole. 

Dunford expects his members to be educated on how to navigate cyberspace respectfully. “There is an education aspect to behavior in cyberspace that service members must learn, and—if they violate those standards of conduct on the Internet—they will be held accountable under the Uniform Code of Military Justice,” he said, stressing that he considers there to be no difference between the real world and the online world.

“For those of us in uniform, there is no such thing as on-duty or off-duty when it comes to our values, our character or our behavior,” the general said.