CorpComms Magazine

The US Air Force Academy has embraced the digital media age with the launch of Facebook and Twitter pages, and has appointed a recent graduate as 'lead officer for Internet relations'.

2nd Lt Meredith Kirchoff, who describes herself as an avid Facebook user, said that, when introduced to the idea of a Facebook page for the US Air Force, her reaction was: 'Of course, naturally we should be on Facebook. Lots of businesses and colleges are on Facebook, so why aren't we already there?'

Almost 90 per cent of the Academy's 4,400 cadet force are already on Facebook, as well as many of their families. 'They may not already be on our website, and they're not necessarily reading our base newspaper, but they are on social media. We need to be out there so they can interact with us,' said Kirchoff. 'Social networking gives us a more flexible way to present our story. It's a less formal venture where we can post fun, interesting and accurate information.'

The launch of the social networking sites is part of a multi-tiered strategy. The US Air Force Academy will shortly launch a presence on multi-media sites, such as Flickr and YouTube, and is also considering the possibility of cadet blogs. 'You never know what the next new hot site will be. I would like us to react quickly and have people active on our pages. I'd like us to be more proactive,' said Kirchoff. 

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