Do Soldiers Blog? Do they take pictures of their tours? Do they drink beer? ... Of course the answer to all of these is "yes". Blogging has become a favorite form of expression for soldiers in Iraq. Below is a list of several soldier blogs and an interesting article in Wired magazine. After checking these out, lets explore some interesting questions:
Why do soldiers blog?
I am not a psychologist or a sociologist so I would welcome comments from anyone who understands these topics better than I do. The best I can do is to put myself in the mental frame of these soldiers and attempt to see why I would blog under their circumstances.
It appears to me that their experiences are so unique and different from what they were doing prior to being deployed that the soldeiers are wrestling with them, and blogging is one form of explanation to self and to friends. The blog is like a diary that is meant to be read.
Soldiers may hope to turn their experiences into a successful book, which several have already done. (See the side links in the first blog below.)
It may be a simple result of boredom. Too little to do, but access to the Internet and blogging tools.
It may be an attempt to shed light on what they believe is important in the war. Who reads those blogs?
Other people who have been through the same experiences. Outsiders who are attempting to understand what war is like. Outsides who think they have better advice for people who are living in a war. Old buddies. People who want to promote their own blog on one that is more widely read. People who are drunk.
Do the blogs accomplish a social function?
Definitely. Go and read the blogs below, especially the comments posted by other people and the responses from the author. There is a small community being built in these blogs. People are finding each other, drawing support from each other, and building relationships. In some cases, these relationships extend beyond the blog.
The blogs have lead to the publication of books and appearances on talk shows. To some degree this is a business deal, but it also shows that people are eager to hear these stories. Electronic social networks are replacing the diaries of a previous generation. But these are signifiantly extending the story by allowing people to discuss in real time, to make relationships, to publish the story in small pieces.
Soldier Blog List
The Army is also concerned that soldiers may tell a little too much in those blogs. So there are efforts to get them under control and approve what is posted.