The elite forces of the U.S. military think they've found a new way to sway opinion in the Pentagon's preferred directions: a voice-based social networking app that's a cross between talk radio and Twitter.

The American intelligence and defense communities have become enthralled by the possibilities of social media. They're looking to use the networks to forecast political unrest, spread friendly messages, spot emerging terror groups – and even predict the next natural disaster. But these efforts have generally tried to leverage existing, and already popular, civilian social networks.

A new project from U.S. Special Operations Command, on the other hand, looks to create something brand new: a "user-generated social media radio application powered by the human voice, available on the PC, Mac, Android, iPhone, and Nokia smart phones, that lets users share their thoughts and experiences." And this voice-activated SOCOM network is being billed explicitly as a tool for "military information support operations" – shaping public attitudes. That's what the Pentagon used to call "psychological operations."

Earlier this month, SOCOM released its wishlist for technologies it would like in the new year. Items included chemical dyes to track the unsuspecting; hackers' tools for "data infiltration and exfiltration"; and heap of gadgets to move hearts and minds – including this social media app.

"The command is investigating ideas and technologies that can replace traditional methods of information dissemination like face-to-face or handing out leaflets," SOCOM spokesperson Col. Edward "Tim" Nye tells Danger Room. "We are looking at ways to get instantaneous feedback from television and radio broadcasts in a virtual world. We are looking for ways to allow audiences to comment or interact with the U.S. government in an environment that ranges from limited individual engagement to a much larger audience. We are soliciting ideas that capitalize on the innovative technologies that incorporate the newest dissemination methods through computers and smart phones."

When asked if people should trust this app, given that's its a tool for psychological operators, Nye answered, "That question of trust is no different for this potential dissemination method than any other dissemination method."

On the network – which SOCOM sees as almost as a friends-enabled, military-grade Shoutcast – "users should be able to make their own long-form radio shows, by dialing in with a free phone number. This should allow a person's interest in sports, music, news, culture to be aired. Users are to be kept entertained while sharing the things that matter to them the most."

"A cellular device should serve as a broadcast tower, a DJ/moderator booth, and a radio receiver," the SOCOM call request for proposals adds. "Individuals can host their own call-in show using industry best practices or just listen in to others expressing their opinions freely without the fear of traceability. Participants must feel the available content is powerful, addictive, informative, and capturing social experience through their collective insight, passion, and involvement."

SOCOM was unable to respond for calls to comment on this story. But, in some ways, the command appears to be following the lead of the U.S. State Department, which years ago declared that ''the very existence of social networks is a net good" – and distributed tools to promote the existence of those networks. The idea was that open communication would inevitably lead to more democratic sentiment, which would inevitably redound to America's benefit. (Theorists like Evgeny Morozov, in contrast, have argued digital communication is easier to track and trace – which makes the networks ideal tools for social control.)

And since America's special operations forces tend to work in parts of the world where the technological infrastructure is the most threadbare, SOCOM is looking to buy up a heap of "air-droppable scatterable electronic media" that it can litter over a remote battlefield. Those gadgets include "AM/FM broadcast transmitters; miniaturized loudspeakers; entertainment devices; game device technologies; [and] greeting cards."

That's right, greeting cards. American military's psychological operators may be looking at new ways to persuade. But that doesn't mean they're giving up the tried and true.