What ILE assignments will prepare me to be the best Army Major I can be?

I have spent too much time thinking about one assignment for ILE: write a blog. I understand that ILE is supposed to push me and expand my horizons in areas that are not within my comfort zone. However, I am extremely uncomfortable putting my opinions on the web for an indefinite period of time. A simple Google search of my name returns my name as associated with blogs at the British Journal of Sports Medicine (2005), Jews in Green (for Jewish service members) (2005), Grace Centered Christianity (an article I wrote was included and I was quoted - then taken out of context by someone. My statements were used by several people to argue for and against the same topic, then based on my Jews in Green post that I was not a suitable character reference for a Christian argument) (unknown date), Travelpod (a friend mentions me - in vain - in reference to a group I belonged to in Dushanbe, Tajikistan) (2008). I also found my old credit card number with Card Code Verification and billing address…swell.
I simply don’t want to blog. I think it’s stupid. I don’t want any more references to me on the net unless I want to put them there. Now for at least several years, my ILE assignment comments will endure.

This leads me to ask: what is the intent of this assignment? The concept leads students to take encouragement in learning how to use modern media formats and in engaging the public as an Army Officer. I would argue that whether I engage America at large as an Officer is my prerogative. I do not believe that it is within the realm of Army leadership (I won’t say my commander, since I’m TDY and it isn’t my commander who has ordered me to do this nonsense) to order me to write a blog. I compare this to forcing me to sign up for a self-help site, ordering me to sell things on eBay, or forcing me to join eHarmony - if I were single). If I choose to use a computer outside of class and work, that is my option. I have given the Army enough of my time, and I have already sacrificed more than I wanted to. Are my senior leaders in the Army War College being taught to direct their subordinates to blog about their job and life experience outside of work? I have lived this long without creating my own blog or commenting on others’ blogs except once, when I felt it was necessary. I wrote on one blog and only one time. That is sufficient for me.

If the Army’s senior leadership is moving toward more engagement with modern technology and communications format, then good on them. I am moving away from them. I question the intent of an organization that is controlling the access of their employees…especially one that is not limiting it but forcing their employees to use it.

I host my own website to update my family and friends on my travels and experiences. Does this meet the requirement of engaging the public? What really does this do for me, for my job, or for my experience? Comments are appreciated, complaints not necessary.

Thanks,
MAJ Joel Kleehammer
Student, ILE
Fort Belvoir, VA
Small Group 29B

"The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Dept of the Army, Dept of Defense or the US Government.