As a direct testament to this digital era of Facebook, Twitter, and other social media — we kept recognizing bloggers before being formally introduced.
It was great to finally meet the good people behind the names we often write about here at BI Military & Defense.
As blogger Boston Maggie (of fierce U.S. Navy pride) said: "Milblogging is about building a bridge between those who serve and others, on any platform."
We couldn't agree more. Now check out who's who.
Laptops powered on as soon as we took our seats — here's Jonn Lilyea of This Ain't Hell
Rep. Randy Forbes (R-VA) kicks everything off, saying the U.S. would face its "most devastating" state of security in decades if Congress slashes the defense budget
Austin Wright (Politico) and Greg Jaffe (Washington Post) share their thoughts on the relationship between the military, the media, and their own jobs — a few barbs were exchanged*
Jaffe on today's news outlet options: "If all we have is Politico, I think we're screwed. I hope there's a demographic for the Washington Post or else we're screwed."
Austin: "...I think I'm the youngest Washington Post subscriber."
Ben King of Armor Down lines up to ask a question. True to blogger form, he was tweeting the whole time he was up there
'Act Of Valor' co-creator Scott Waugh said the movie isn't pro-military — "It's accurate". The film is known for its use of real Navy SEALS instead of actors. Snapped here with Ward Carroll, Editor of Military.com
Talking about the rise of social media in service branches, Navy Lt. Commander Chris Servello told milbloggers "We are trying to do what you do" — telling important stories via a relevant medium — "It's much easier to teach social media to a Lance Corporal than a Captain or a Colonel"
Sgt. Mark Fayloga heads up the Marine Corps' huge presence on Facebook,Twitter, Flikr, YouTube — and of course, its blog. He says the millennial generation is empowered and feels it can "take down" corporations. The 'Tea Party Marine' was of course brought up
The Army's "social media guru" Brittany Brown says the military's policy on online activity will never catch up fast enough — social media is a dynamic space and they have to be more ahead of the game
