Boyko Here

Gentle readers, as of today, I have become the newest blogger on Information Dissemination. Galrahn has graciously allowed me to post here on topics which interest me. Having followed this blog for some time from both afloat and ashore, the discussion that takes place on this blog is what has drawn me to write in this forum.

In October 2008, Galrahn asked a both a reflective and forward-looking question regarding the role of blogs in the national security dialogue:

What is the role of blogging in the national security discussion?

This is an elusive question that I do not have the answer to. I know several Admirals read the blog. I know that many active COs and XOs in the fleet read the blog. I know that a number of government employees both executive and legislative branch read the blog. I know that executives of almost every defense company read the blog. I know many folks in the Pentagon read the blog. I know professors at Annapolis, the NWC, and the NPS read the blog. I know a number of employees of the major think tanks read the blog.

I also know that very few, if any, of those folks ever leave a comment. I don't believe "the power of the fourth estate" will be realized in the Navy blogosphere until those folks feel comfortable debating ideas openly. That means it is important to keep the comments professional and courteous. I have no expectations that this medium will evolve faster than the pace of necessity, and there is a lack of necessity for Web 2.0 to drive discussion right now for naval content.

That will not always be the case, but I'm content letting the evolution take place without pushing it. If by that time there are 10 Navy blogs better than this one, I'll be very content with that as well.

In the three years since Galrahn started Information Dissemination, this open forum has continuously improved and has always offered constructive criticism and floated new ideas. As a long time reader that fits a few of the categories of readers that Galrahn mentioned above, I hope that I can contribute to the open discussion of ideas and add something to what is already one of the top milblogs.

Thanks, Galrahn.