Naval Air Station Whiting Field and some of its tenant commands are using new electronic media to reach out to new audiences with the more modern tools.  The base, the Fleet and Family Support Center, Branch Health Clinic, and Morale Welfare and Recreation department have all instituted Facebook fan pages with the hope to keeping in touch with people through Social Media.

“We truly feel that Social Media like Facebook are how people today stay connected and communicate; we want to be right there with them,” Capt. Jeff Plummer, Branch Medical

Clinic Officer in Charge said.  "We hope that if they 'read something' every day or so, over time it will encourage them "do something" everyday or so - whether exercising or eating right.  The ultimate goal is improving their lifestyles and lives."

Twitter, texting, Instant Messaging (IM) and other social media provide an immediacy that is popular and fast replacing old standbys such as telephones, letters and newspapers.  With so many people beginning to use the new tools, especially today's youths, it is imperative that the commands incorporate them into their communication plans.

MWR started the movement in July when they initiated their fan page.  With postings about upcoming events, specials for military members, MWR services, and Single Sailor opportunities, the organization is trying to connect with the young members of the base and inform them of the activities available to them.  MWR can be found at: http://www.facebook.com/wfmwr.

'Facebook provides us with an effective way to communicate with our customer base," Wayne Short, MWR Recreation Program Manager said.  It has also proven to be a great tool for inter-agency networking between NAS Whiting Field entities, as well as with regional and national offices."

The Branch Health Clinic became the first health clinic in the Navy to start connecting through social media when their Facebook fan page launched in late October.  The page  provides important news on programs at the clinic such as health alerts, facility closings, special services, new doctors, last second appointment opportunities and more.  Their fan page may be found by going to www.facebook.com and searching for Branch Health Clinic or by using the link http://www.facebook.com/pages/Milton-FL/Branch-Health-Clinic-Naval-Air-Station-Whiting-Field/141600414957?ref=search&sid=100000525249749.3847902538..1&v=wall

Fleet and Family also started their Facebook page in October. The Support Center posts monthly class schedules, calendars and up coming events. FFSC also posts updates concerning special projects so that all the fans of the page are able to keep current on the offices services.  FFSC can be found at www.facebook.com/NASWF.FleetandFamily

NAS Whiting Field published their page the beginning of January.  News about the base, closure of facilities, scheduled events and other assorted information is and will continue to be posted on the site.  The fan page may be found by searching for NAS Whiting Field on Facebook or by using the link http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/NAS-Whiting-Field/218368599953?ref=ts.

The fan pages disseminate information to the young Sailors who are most likely to use the new networking tools.  It also provides a way to reach out beyond the fenceline of the base and provide information to retirees and veterans who may be interested in what is happening or the resources on the base.  Perhaps the greatest advantage is that the tool is interactive and fans are able to provide feedback on the page and comment on issues about the base in a way that is not possible on a web site.

The Navy is encouraging commands to extend their outreach through this new media.  Access to many Facebook, Twitter and other social medial tools for Navy commands may be found at www.navy.mil/media/smd.asp.  Nearly 150 units are listed in the index and more are added all the time.