It was previously reported here that there was an apparent disparity in policy between different levels of Internet access controls. In the article The Need For a Comprehensive Policy we discussed the seemingly paradoxical policies of the Command and Staff College, where MAJ Bruhl is exploring the best way forward in a research blog versus reports from two websites that they and others were blocked from access at Bagram Air Field where the policy seems much more constrained.
The Major has provided a good framework for developing a comprehensive policy.
But we promised to explore the policy, verify the validity of the allegations, and attempt to understand
Both sites are now accessible on Bagram. One as of March 10th, 2009 and the other having been previously approved.
More surprising is that BlackFive remains blocked at Bagram, at least on the Military servers. If a request for evaluation is given the CJ6, this may be changed. As of this writing, it is unknown what constitutes a "personal" or "social networking" site nor why Black Five would fall into that category, nor even the justification for blocking such sites, but that is evidently why Black Five is not accessible.
There are some legitimate reasons for blocking certain sites and I'm glad to hear that the Military is actively seeking to prevent malicious code, or malware from infecting their servers, their computers, and the computers of the Troops.
And whether you support or oppose "General Order #1,thou shall not have fun" it is justifiable to block sites that would allow infractions of legal orders. That means no pornography sites.
Also restricted are sites that hog bandwidth, such as video. This could explain why "Youtube" and "Trooptube" have been reportedly blocked. (WOTN did not inquire into the validity of those reports.) Bandwidth restrictions could be subject to debate, criticism, and opinion. One could argue that after 7+ years, the military should be able to have expanded the network to accomodate the communications needs of the Troops stationed at Bagram. One could also argue that the military owns the network and hence can put any restrictions they like on it.
The latter argument is completely valid on stateside bases, at least on government computers. It would be less valid where the Military plays the company store and landlord. I.e., if the Troops live in the barracks with no option to use outside sources, then the Military has accepted the moral responsibility to afford them the means of communication.
Often the Military affords an outside source a monopoly for such a service. In such a case, it would be incumbent on the Command offering the monopoly to ensure that the Troops were afforded quality service as well as affordable prices.
The Public Affairs Office at Bagram reports that an outside source is available to the Troops there. At least one Soldier has complained that the service is overpriced. If memory serves correctly, the cost was a dollar an hour, which would be predatory in my view. This is the problem of government dependency and of monoplies. Some sacrifices are necessary in Military life, but these should be minimized when ever possible.
In conclusion, the Military has prudently taken measures to protect its network but computer programs have a tendency to see things in I's and O's. As such, humans must refine the commands it gives the program, or Black Five may continue to be seen as a "social networking" site. And while I don't understand the reason (yet) that a social networking site would be disallowed and know that B5 is not one, the computer program does not. So, if you are going to Bagram and can't access your favorite sites, ask the CJ6 to evaluate the site. The big computer in the basement may not know the difference between porn and politics.
And realize, before you whine, that until the person that can fix a problem knows there is a problem, they can not fix it. To highlight this, while I know that Black Five is blocked and that the block on the Captains Journal has been lifted, I don't know if War On Terror News is blocked or acccessible in Bagram. Hence, there is no fix to a problem that may or may not exist. Perhaps, someone there will comment to let us know, but they won't know to comment if it is blocked.