Regular readers will know that our oldest is off to another deployment to the Middle East. Being there is a lonely business and family can only write so many letters and cards.

I’m reaching out to you for a helping hand. I’d like you to show your support for him and his team, to let them know someone back here cares.

His mailing address is simple. You’ll notice there’s no unit identification, no rank, nor branch. That’s the military’s new take on security.

Steven Jordan
Box 5
APO, AE
09391

Postage is regular continental US. The typical delay is now under two weeks. We’ve seen it as quick as a week.

He doesn’t know I’m putting out this call for letters and cards. So it might not hurt to mention you know his dad. Ha.

Cards and letters would be great. Of course cookies and candy wouldn’t be turned down.

He’s expected to be there 6 months to a year. I’ll keep everyone posted on that as he knows more.

Favorite things: peanut M&Ms; Donald Duck; customized car stuff (pictures, articles, etc)

Thanks in advance. If you’re not shy, I’d love to get pictures of sent items to post on the blog.

Cheers,
Todd Jordan, proud military father

That young man on the right, that’s my oldest. He’s in the Army, and he’s back in Iraq. We received the email yesterday saying his group arrived safe and sound. They’re at a waiting facility till they are briefed or whatever those Army blokes do while they wait.

Iraq welcomes him back for a second deployment. In the interim he was stationed in Korea for over a year. His wife and three daughters remain at the fort while he deploys. They’re strong ones though, and thankfully much closer than on previous out of country tours.

We are fortunate that we got to hang out with him and the family before the deployment. He seemed in good spirits, and seems to really like the unit he’s attached to. Steven was even showing off his gear for us and let Nanna J try on the vest.

@Nanna_J in Army Vest

The girls know this time that he’s not just ‘at work.’ Thanks to the media and the community they are aware there is a war on over there. Obviously they’re not happy but hopefully they’ll be comfort to their mother.

I’m proud of my son’s choice to stay in the Army even during war time. Sure I’d love him just as much as a baker, banker, or bookkeeper, but he’s a soldier boy for now. My father, and Nanna J’s dad were both in the Navy. I’m a Navy veteran. Now that makes me wonder what the heck he chose the Army for?!

Seriously though, we’ll worry. We pray constantly for him and his family. I pray for my wife as well.  Your positive energy, prayers, and words are all welcome.

I plan to ask you to help me flood him with mail during this deployment. Soon I’ll be sharing his mailing address. Your mail would be a welcome treat for him.

Hats off Steven. Stay safe. Love, everyone.

<-that's my son>

From: Honor, Duty, eMail: 7th Annual Holiday Love Project for our Troops:
“Each year we send holiday cards to our troops for Christmas and Hanukah. This year’s project starts October 13th and ends December 1st to ensure that all cards and letters can be shipped to meet the holiday deadlines. Mail your holiday cards for our troops to us and we’ll ship them to our military in time for the holidays!”

It’s that time of year again. Time to let those in our lives know we care. Not only those close at home need reminders, but those abroad as well. That includes our military brothers, sisters, fathers, and children.

eMailOurMilitary.com is sponsoring their annual Holiday Love Project. People like you and I, and our families and friends get a chance to directly inspire and support our US Military.

This project has many plusses for the wanting to avoid the usual politics surrounding the troops. It’s about sending cards, letters, banners, posters and more just to say Happy Holidays. It’s a chance to show respect and concern without taking sides on wars and military actions. It’s about people.

I encourage you to take a few minutes out and follow the simple instructions on the eMailOurMilitary site. Just write a short note, a holiday wish, or even some hand drawn art on a postcard or letter. Put that in an a mailer envelope and send it on.

To get started or to share about this fun and encouraging project, check out the eMailOurMiliary 7th Annual Holiday Love Project.

In a previous article, we covered 10 things military service taught about social networking. Since my blog, along with a couple hundred others is being spotlighted this weekend, I thought I’d roll out a follow up article for you. Feel free to enjoy, and add your thoughts in the comments.

Here’s five more things being in the Navy taught that apply to social networking …

• Show Respect – show respect to those both senior to you and newer. These folks are all along for the ride like you are. They may be your partner sooner than you think, so treat them like they are now.
• Always Be Polished – keep your best foot forward. This goes for your blog, your emails, and your social networking posts. It helps people respect and notice you. You’re easier to spot in the crowd.
• Do Follow Up Work – If someone offers for you to contact them, do it. Follow up with people in a timely and organized manner. It shows that you care. Also, if you make a commitment, keep it. If you have an issue keeping plans, let the other parties involved know immediately.
• Do Your Homework – no one wants to hear it but most of success is preparation. Plan for important events and meetings before they happen. Be prepared to execute and discuss ideas. Be ready for your time to shine.
• Be Ready – This is more than studying up on the latest gadgets and geekery. It’s about being ready to work. Be ready to bend an elbow for others when it’s their time. Coming along side others and how you do it says more about who you are than what you talk about on a hundred social networks.

Yes these seem obvious, but I’d be unable to count how often these things are violated or misrepresented by those purporting to be social media and networking experts. There isn’t a one of these that each of us who blog, network and write couldn’t improve on.

Thanks for visiting the blog. If you’ve enjoyed this and other articles, be sure to subscribe to the RSS or to receive the latest blog posts by email.

If you’ve ever served in the military, you’ve probably picked up a thing or two about just about everything under the sun. You know how to clean up rust, paint, sew on a button, and scramble some eggs. Cleaning and shooting a gun might even be second nature. But what did you learn about leading the online life?

We’ll I’ve put together a partial list of things being in the Navy taught me about social networking. Your comments, lessons learned, and anecdotes are welcome.

1) You can’t go home until the paint is dry – folks want to come on the soc net scene and splash around and think they’ve done it. I got news for your baby; dipping your brush in and calling it done doesn’t work with this crowd. Half done stuff will get you eaten alive.

2) The hours are crazy – oh yeah, social networking isn’t a 9 – 5 and call it a day thing. You’ve got to be available when folks are there to work with. You’ll find too that you can’t just do it part time either and be effective.

3) There’s always someone there to give you a rough time – this is always true in the military and even more so in the world of Twitter and FriendFeed. As a matter of fact, unlike the military where just your unit gave you grief, now they whole world can come out of the woodworks to make your life hell.

4) There’s more than one person in your circle with more expertise – even in a small group, every person has their specialities. In my contacts there are folks that have been online since DARPA started the project, and those that just discovered Twitter today. Just when you think you know enough to be the expert, along comes someone with tons more experience. The web just multiplies that experience, and it gets worse with each contact you add.

5) Your loved ones will hate it – oh, they may be ’supportive’, but trust me, whether you’re out to see, on deployment, or locked in hours long conversations online, your significant other is not happy. You’ll know this is really true when the ring comes off. ‘Nough said.

6) The tech can be cool – few things are as cool as sonar, radar, radio gadgetry and nuclear power. Those things kept me learning for years in the military, understanding how they work. That same coolness factor often draws me to new social networks. I love how things connect, how posts travel everywhere, and how I can chat with video to folks in Australia.

7) There are enemies to fight – duh, of course so in the military, but you’d think if you only added folks you liked, it’d be less so online. But trust me, the crazies seek you out, your friends will go nutz at times, and total strangers will start a personal vendetta against you. Much like international politics it seems.

What about you? Can you fill in three things or more you learned about social networking from your time in the military?

UPDATE: Please check out the follow up post with five more things.

     I’ve been running the Social Networking Postcard Project for several weeks now.  A couple dozen postcards have gone out.  If you haven’t asked for one, Friday is the day. Just direct message me on Twitter.

     Today though, I’d like to point you to another postcard project, one run by eMailOurMilitary,  Postcards Across America.  This project is both easy to participate in and doesn’t require you to invest in a fortune in postage.  

     What’s it take?  Buy up a bunch of postcards, write a message to ‘Dear Soldier’, or something similar. (Avoid saying sailor, marine etc.  These may go to any branch.)   Stuff that bunch of postcards in an oversized envelope and send them to:

     Yep. It’s that easy.  What’s holding you back? Can’t find postcards?  I’ve had the best luck at tourist attractions, Hallmark, and Wal-mart stores.  Your local college might have some as well.

     If you’ve ever been away on duty or a long trip, you know already how much mail means.  Please consider joining this project.   Have you already jumped in?  Come tell us about it! Share some snapshots and stories.