R 081446Z MAY 12

ALCOAST 225/12
COMDTNOTE 5728
SUBJ: COAST GUARD SOCIAL MEDIA HANDBOOK
A. Public Affairs Manual, COMDTINST M5728.2 (series)
B. Operations Security (OPSEC) Program, COMSTINST M5510.24 (series)
1. This ALCOAST announces the release of the Coast Guard Social Media
Handbook.
2. The Handbook is a guide to help all Coast Guard members and
employees use social media responsibly whether in an official,
unofficial or personal capacity. Summarized in eight pages, the
Handbook includes graphics, checklists and a multimedia release
decision tree.
3. The Handbook is not meant to be all inclusive. Rather it combines
public affairs, operations security, intelligence, legal and
information technology guidance as they pertain to social media into
a useful and readily accessible job aid.
4. Official distribution of this Handbook will be available
electronically via the Defense Video and Imagery Distribution System
(DVIDS) publication site at
http://www.dvidshub.net/publication/441/coast-guard-social-media-hand
book
and on the CG Portal at
https://cgportal.uscg.mil/delivery/Satellite/CG092/socialmedia.
5. No paper distribution of this Handbook is planned although units
are authorized to reproduce the Handbook as they desire.
6. Additional social media guidance and references, including a field
guide on how to manage official social media sites, are available in
the CG Portal at
https://cgportal.uscg.mil/delivery/Satellite/CG092/socialmedia.
7. COMDT (CG-0922) POC is LT Connie Braesch at (202)372-4645 or
connie.l.braesch(at)uscg.mil.
8. RDML K. L. Schultz, Director of Governmental and Public Affairs,
sends.
9. Internet release authorized.