Hermitage to house MoD's social media soldiers

The Ministry of Defence (MoD)’s 77th Brigade – which will be formally created on April 1 – will specialise in using social media and other unconventional forms of warfare.
The unit, which will be based at Denison Barracks, will comprise 450 social media experts from a force of around 1,500 and will draw its inspiration from those who fought in the Burma Campaign of 1942-45.
An MoD spokeswoman said: “The force that fought in such difficult conditions adapted to a new type of warfare, using a mixture of original, creative thinkers who integrated with local indigenous forces to multiply effects; the exact requirement for the modern age.
“The Brigade has been formed to respond to the ever- changing character of modern conflict and to be able to compete with agile and complex adversaries.”
Chief of the General Staff, Gen Sir Nick Carter, said: “The Brigade consists of more than just traditional capabilities. It is an organisation that sits at the heart of trying to operate ‘smarter’.”
The group will provide specialist support to the MoD and will be responsible for “the integration and delivery of all non-lethal and non-military effects on military operations” according to the organisation.
This will include “psychological operations” using both traditional and unconventional means of “shaping behaviour” by using different forms of media, including social media.
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