Reasons for privacy

armypanda_

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I just had a thought; is one reason privacy and anonymity is emphasized on this forum because enemies could search for information on ppl here?
 
I'm not sure what you're got in mind with "enemies", but anyone can read anything posted here and that includes a lot of people who are far more creative than you or me when it comes to making use of personal info. Just because we can't conceive of a use for your name in conjunction with the dates you'll be out of town for reporting in or graduation doesn't mean there aren't others who can. Think of summer cadre or fellow students who are out to dig up dirt on someone and how much fun they could have with injudicious comments or postings that are a bit too "there are no stupid questions but I can see stupid from yours." And keeping it mostly anonymous makes it easier for others to stay focused on the question and not get too distracted with "BTW are you related to Donovan Shillelagh O'Herlihy of the Springfield O'Herlihys? I know it's a common name but I always ask when I see it."
 
I just had a thought; is one reason privacy and anonymity is emphasized on this forum because enemies could search for information on ppl here?
Actually that (OPSEC) is not the primary reason. There are identify theft concerns, but also privacy and anonymity allows you to ask questions without fear of retribution.

If you were fortunate enough to be appointed to a service academy or SMC, the upper classmen would be merciless to you if they discovered your military queries and comments here or on any forum, (if they could ID you).

They are certainly not your enemies, but during plebe year you might actually think that. ;-)
 
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Actually that is not the primary reason. There is identify theft concerns, but also privacy and anonymity allows you to ask questions without fear of retribution.

If you were fortunate enough to be appointed to a service academy or SMC, the upper classmen would be merciless to you if they discovered your military queries and comments here or on any forum, (if they could ID you).

They are certainly not your enemies, but during plebe year you might actually think that. ;-)
I didn’t know that.
 
I would add that the internet, in general, isn't a very nice place.
This forum, gives everyone the opportunity to ask questions, and provide answers, and opinions, and it's a really well moderated and safe place to do so.
Many a contentious conversation has been had here, without slinging mud and personal insults. It helps, IMHO, that we can do so in a relatively anonymous fashion, without fear of some internet troll flaming our personal social media.
 
After 4C year at CGA my DD was told that there was only one plebe in their company that they couldn't find anything on. Everyone else's past was exhumed, judged and was discarded if boring or acted upon if it looked fun. It wasn't terrible, but don't be talking huge about SEALs or gangster rapping or anything else that might make you stand out from the crowd.
 
After 4C year at CGA my DD was told that there was only one plebe in their company that they couldn't find anything on. Everyone else's past was exhumed, judged and was discarded if boring or acted upon if it looked fun. It wasn't terrible, but don't be talking huge about SEALs or gangster rapping or anything else that might make you stand out from the crowd.
Wow yeah. That sounds brutal.
 
My DS folded up his social media tent and locked it up tight during his junior year of HS. Even active duty officers have regretted having their personal life too "accessible. "
That sounds like me😆. Deleted all my social media last year.
 
Hey! If you see him tell if he doesn't pay me the money he owes me, I'll beat him with MY shillelagh.
I do own one--My Grandfather's. He made it from his own Hickory tree about 100 years ago. Notice the mark left by the Virginia Creeper. Of course, they didn't call that a shillelagh in East Tennessee. They called it a hickory stick.
 

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I do own one--My Grandfather's. He made it from his own Hickory tree about 100 years ago. Notice the mark left by the Virginia Creeper. Of course, they didn't call that a shillelagh in East Tennessee. They called it a hickory stick.
That’s one nice stick.
 
I would add that the internet, in general, isn't a very nice place.
This forum, gives everyone the opportunity to ask questions, and provide answers, and opinions, and it's a really well moderated and safe place to do so.
Many a contentious conversation has been had here, without slinging mud and personal insults. It helps, IMHO, that we can do so in a relatively anonymous fashion, without fear of some internet troll flaming our personal social media.
I would add in use a VPN when you can. And Never use the same name or name/password combo on different sites
 
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