MORS wants to use the internet, however, we need to ensure that the participation of our members does not adversely affect them in their employment.  Any member participating in a community of practice should be aware of the policy.  The DoD policy for posting on websites are sumarized below. 

MORS legal consule has provided the following  Wiki Policy.doc. 

The DoD policy for posting on the web are available at  http://www.defenselink.mil/webmasters/policy/dod_web_policy_12071998_with_amendments_and_corrections.html#part1.  In particular, Paragraph 5.5.2 states DoD Components shall "Ensure all information placed on publicly accessible Web sites is properly reviewed for security, levels of sensitivity and other concerns before it is released. Detailed requirements for clearance of information for public release are located in DoD Directive 5230.9 and DOD Instruction 5230.29 (references (h) and (o)) and Part II of this document." 

DoD Directive 5230.9 is available at http://stinet.dtic.mil/stinfo/data/DoDD_52309.pdf.  It states "DoD personnel, while acting in a private capacity and not in connection with their official duties, have the right to prepare information for public release through non-DoD forums or media."  In this sense, planning and organizing MORS events may be considered acting in a private capabicity. 

The DoD Instruction 5230.29 is available at http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/523029p.pdf.  It states, "6.2.7. Information intended for placement on electronic bulletin boards accessible through the INTERNET, or other publicly accessible computer servers, requires review and clearance for public release if, it meets the requirements of subsection 6.1.

6.1.1. Originates or is proposed for release in the Washington, DC area;

6.1.2. Is or has the potential to become an item of national or international

interest;

6.1.3. Affects national security policy or foreign relations;

6.1.4. Concerns a subject of potential controversy among the DoD

Components or with other Federal Agencies;

6.1.5. Is presented by a DoD employee, who by virtue of rank, position, or expertise would be considered an official DoD spokesperson;

6.1.6. Contains technical data, including data developed under contract or independently developed and controlled by the ITAR (reference (f)) that may be militarily critical and subject to limited distribution, but on which a distribution determination has not been made; or,

6.1.7. Bears on any of the following subjects:

6.1.7.1. New weapons or weapons systems, or significant modifications or improvements to existing weapons or weapons systems, equipment, or techniques.

6.1.7.2. Military operations, significant exercises, and operations security.

6.1.7.3. National Command Authorities; command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence; information operations and computer

security.

6.1.7.4. Military activities or application in space; nuclear weapons, including nuclear weapons effects research; chemical warfare and defensive biological

warfare; and arms control treaty implementation.

6.1.7.5. Any other contemporary topic that is designated by the Head of a DoD Component.6.1.5. Is presented by a DoD employee, who by virtue of rank, position, or expertise would be considered an official DoD spokesperson;"

DOD Information Security/Website Alert,  6 Aug 2006, is available at http://www.defenselink.mil/webmasters/policy/infosec20060806.html.  It states

"5. WHERE COLLABORATION WITH NON,-DOD PERSONNEL REGARDING UNCLASSIFIED OFFICIAL INFORMATION WILL BENEFIT THE DEPARTMENT, OFFICIAL *CHAT ROOMS* OR COLLABORATION SITES SHALL BE ESTABLISHED AND REGULATED THROUGH THE USE OF POSITIVE TECHNICAL CONTROLS SUCH AS PROXY SERVICES AND SCREENED SUBNETS IN ACCORDANCE WITH DODI 8500.2, *INFORMATION ASSURANCE (IA) IMPLEMENTATION* AND APPROVED BY THE DESIGNATED APPROVING AUTHORITY (DAA). COLLABORATION CAN TAKE PLACE AMONG DOD PERSONNEL OR AMONG DOD PERSONNEL AND AUTHORIZED NON-DOD PERSONNEL (INCLUDING PUBLIC MEMBERS OF THE SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY) WITHIN SECURITY AND INFORMATION DISSEMINATION GUIDELINES (E.G., EXPORT CONTROL RESTRICTIONS). NON-DOD PERSONNEL SHALL BE AUTHORIZED ACCESS TO THE *CHAT ROOM* OR COLLABORATION SITE ON A BY-NAME BASIS BY THE DOD SPONSOR IN ACCORDANCE WITH PROCEDURES ESTABLISHED BY THE DAA. USER AUTHENTICATION SHALL BE REQUIRED FOR SYSTEM ACCESS."

Insert comments and suggestions on how we can proceed with MORSNet and Communities of Practice below: