When you get your Instagram profile set up, search for "usarec" in the users area and follow our official Instagram account.
It would also be a good idea to follow several other center/company/battalion accounts to see how they are using Instagram. Once you see how other USAREC groups are using their Instagram accounts, you can get ideas for you own account. However, while we do encourage battalions/companies/centers to start their own Instagram account, the biggest upside to Instagram will probably be found on a more personal level; recruiter's accounts.
Instagram is much more personal than Facebook in that it focuses much more on an individual's content and creativity. A much higher percentage of people on Instagram follow people only, not business or organizations (as compared to Facebook). For that reason, a recruiter's personal account can be an extremely valuable tool for communicating and promoting the Army.
If you're a recruiter thinking about starting your own professional personal Instagram account, but don't know where to start (in terms of content) take a look at some of your fellow recruiters Instagram accounts. Many of the recruiters currently on Instagram focus on highlighting everyday Army life; showing their followers that they are regular people that do regular things. Relating to people and inviting them so see the person, not just the soldier, is the best way to deter negative stereotypes and start building positive viewpoints.
You can post pictures that:
-Show you engaging in everyday Army life
-Training, PT, etc...
-Doing things to benefit the community (volunteering at the school, assisting a charity, and so on)
-Engaging people in the local community
-Show you doing everyday things (not Army related), so that other people can relate to you more closely
-Pictures of the family, kids, pets; or playing sports, other hobbies, etc..
Be careful what you post, you are a representative of the Army. Anything you post reflects on the Army as a whole. Your personal account (ex. John Smith) is one thing, but if you are starting a professional personal account (Sgt. John Smith), you are a representative of the Army and everything you post should reflect the Army values.
It would also be a good idea to follow several other center/company/battalion accounts to see how they are using Instagram. Once you see how other USAREC groups are using their Instagram accounts, you can get ideas for you own account. However, while we do encourage battalions/companies/centers to start their own Instagram account, the biggest upside to Instagram will probably be found on a more personal level; recruiter's accounts.
Instagram is much more personal than Facebook in that it focuses much more on an individual's content and creativity. A much higher percentage of people on Instagram follow people only, not business or organizations (as compared to Facebook). For that reason, a recruiter's personal account can be an extremely valuable tool for communicating and promoting the Army.
If you're a recruiter thinking about starting your own professional personal Instagram account, but don't know where to start (in terms of content) take a look at some of your fellow recruiters Instagram accounts. Many of the recruiters currently on Instagram focus on highlighting everyday Army life; showing their followers that they are regular people that do regular things. Relating to people and inviting them so see the person, not just the soldier, is the best way to deter negative stereotypes and start building positive viewpoints.
You can post pictures that:
-Show you engaging in everyday Army life
-Training, PT, etc...
-Doing things to benefit the community (volunteering at the school, assisting a charity, and so on)
-Engaging people in the local community
-Show you doing everyday things (not Army related), so that other people can relate to you more closely
-Pictures of the family, kids, pets; or playing sports, other hobbies, etc..
Be careful what you post, you are a representative of the Army. Anything you post reflects on the Army as a whole. Your personal account (ex. John Smith) is one thing, but if you are starting a professional personal account (Sgt. John Smith), you are a representative of the Army and everything you post should reflect the Army values.