Increased use of internet by U.S. army turns wars into pockets

Increased use of internet by U.S. army turns wars into pockets

By George Bao

LOS ANGELES, June 29 (Xinhua) -- As the July 4 Independence Daydraws near, U.S. soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan can all have theirchances to "unite" with their families, but only through Skype,Facebook and other social networks.

As television brought the U.S. War in Vietnam into the livingrooms of American families, internet has brought the current U.S.wars in Afghanistan and Iran into the pockets of Americans.

U.S. soldiers can see and communicate with their wives and babiesthrough Skype, Facebook, have conversations with their familymembers with cell phones, send text messages and anything the newtelecommunication technology has enabled them to do.

Sgt. Willard Ramseur, a U.S. Air Force reservist based at MarchAir Reserve Base, told the press that it is good to have visualcommunication with his wife and baby through Skype.

It is reported by the U.S. media that soldiers can communicatewith their families very often, and even personnel on remote frontlines often can touch base every week or two with a cell phone callor an e-mail, a Twitter feed, a text or a conversation via Skype.

The social networking site Facebook has burgeoned as a venue forcommunication in the past year, not only between soldiers and theirfamilies but between military bases and their personnel.

The military said Skype-equipped free computer terminals havebeen set up all over some military bases, including the laundry andthe chapel. The technology also allowed them to show their lovedones back home the base or their rooms.

Along with the increased use of new technology, onlinecommunities of military families have sprung up. They use oneanother to keep track of their deployed family members and formInternet support groups to bolster one another through thechallenges of military life.

Deana Aguirre-Righettini from Riverside, California , said thatit makes a world of difference with those social networks.

Her husband Scott was in the Navy 20 years ago and did subsequentstints in the Army and National Guard. Currently, he is in the ArmyReserve and expects to return to active duty soon.

Scott was in Iraq for the Desert Storm Operation 20 years ago.Compared with the ways of communication, Aquirre-Righettini said:"Before, you would sit and wait for a letter or a postcard and maybea phone call, and that would be brief."

"Now they're able to call more often and for longer periods oftime," she said. "And through the powers of Army Knowledge Online,you can video chat as well," she added.

In her opinion, Facebook is a major help. In the past year, manymilitary bases and units have established their own Facebook pages.Websites such as Military One Source, Army One Source and MilitarySpouse Magazine are welcomed by members from the military families.

"I think the Army is pushing for that family togetherness. If youknow your family is all right, you're going to be all right, andyou're going to stay focused on your job," she said.

The U.S. Department of Defense has been encouraging the use ofsocial media among the ranks.

Jenny Haskamp, spokeswoman for the U.S. Mrine base, said that it's one of the most effective ways for the soldiers to communicatewith their families.

However, there are some negative impacts on the increased use ofthe internet. It is hard to control some of the websites, especiallythe open forums. In April, a Camp Pendleton Marine caught flak whenhe posted comments critical of President Barack Obama. Some postingshad to be removed because of profanity.

The U.S. Department of Defense also used Internet-basedhealthcare to help curb suicides, especially among young soldiers.

General Peter Chiarelli, the U.S. Army's vice chief of staff,told the U.S. Congress that more access to licensed healthcareprofessionals via online chats and Skype would allow soldiers tomaintain a continuity of care with healthcare providers if they aretransferred.

Chiarelli said this technology would be most effective among 17-to-25-year-olds, the military age group with the highest suiciderate.

He said a study by Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii foundthat young soldiers indicated a preference for counseling online vs.face to face.

Pentagon statistics showed that suicide rates for the U.S. armedforces in 2009 ranged from 13 per 100,000 for the Navy to 24 per100,000 for the Marines. "This generation sometimes opens up muchbetter through Skype" and other digital technology "than by sittingacross the table" from a mental health care provider, saidChiarelli.

According to Chiraelli, some 780,000 soldiers have responded tothe Army's Internet-based Global Accessing Tool to measureresilience, and the service plans to expand its Web outreach.

Also, the Army uses an Internet-based mental health screening toassess soldiers returning from deployments, he said.