Military

Military
Collaborative communications has finally come to the U.S. Army this year. The Army is allowing a test for soldiers to make updates to the manual on tactics, techniques, and procedures. Why? It usually takes three to five years to update a manual. The DOD has determined this time frame is too long. In a wiki environment, soldiers can share, revise, edit, and correct items in seven of the Army's manuals. A contributor must have a .mil email account. The same software used by Wikipedia is used by the Army. The goal is use the knowledge and experience of the soldier in the field more than specialists who write these manuals. Initial problems in the writing of the wiki are that few soldiers have contributed. This is cultural fact known to all wikis and especially culturally to the military where speaking out has never before been accepted or encouraged. No anonymous contributions are allowed but contributions are entered immediately without censorship by the higher ups. Many officers are opposed and suspicious of the idea because it may decentralize power which runs counter to traditional military philosophy. In response, Lt. General William B. Caldwell, the commander of Combined Arms Center at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas said on July 1, 2009, that "by embracing technology, the Army can save money, break down barriers, streamline processes and build a bright future." Christopher R. Paparone, an associate professor in the army Command and General Staff College's Department of Logistics at Fort Lee, Va., has been advising the Army for some time to change its hierarchical thinking and was heartened by the Army's willingness to experiment. Advantages: 1. collaboration from soldiers in the field with real time battle knowledge contribute to the wiki. 2. change to traditional hierarchy in the military by encouraging everyone to participate. 3. shorten the time needed to update manuals. 4. save money by using technology. 5. empower the soldier in the field, a major stakeholder, by validating their experience and knowledge. Disadvantages: 1. traditional hierarchy is challenged. 2. changing the military culture to be more inclusive and open. 3. traditionally less than 1% of readers edit a wiki. 4. if this innovative test fails will the military be less likely to try new things in the future? 5. will there be repercussions or negative consequences for a soldier who contributes or challenges the status quo? 6. false information may be posted. 7. intrusion to wiki editing by those who conspire to defeat us is possible. (MW)

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