An active-duty U.S. Air Force noncommissioned officer is facing scrutiny over her online activity and outside income streams, raising questions about military regulations, use of social media, and standards enforcement.
The Salty Soldier has identified Air Force Staff Sergeant Hannah Kaipat Smith, an E-5 currently residing in South Carolina, as operating multiple public-facing social media accounts while serving on active duty. Based on publicly available videos, uniform appearance, and contextual identifiers, Smith appears to be assigned to Shaw Air Force Base and associated with Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central).
Smith maintains a presence on popular short-form video platforms where she discusses fitness, lifestyle topics, and military-related themes. In some content reviewed by The Salty Soldier, she appears in Air Force uniform during livestreams and videos. On separate platforms, she also operates subscription-based accounts that generate personal income outside of her military pay.
Claims of Financial Success
One widely circulated post on her Air Force-related social media content claims she is financially independent, debt-free, and owns both her home and vehicle, attributing her success to discipline, fitness, and military benefits. The post has been shared widely and presented by viewers as an example of personal success while serving.
What is not disclosed in that content, however, is that Smith also maintains monetized online platforms that appear to generate additional income beyond her military compensation.
During a livestream viewed by The Salty Soldier, Smith discussed her plans to separate from the Air Force when her current enlistment ends, stating she believes she has better opportunities outside the service. Later in the same livestream, she acknowledged maintaining a “side gig,” indicating she no longer publicly advertises it in the same way she previously did.
Outside Employment and Military Policy
The Air Force permits outside employment under certain conditions but requires service members to comply with regulations governing disclosure, conflicts of interest, online conduct, and use of the uniform. These rules exist to protect the integrity of the service, maintain good order and discipline, and reduce security and reputational risks.
Because Smith appears to work in a career field that may involve sensitive systems or information, questions have also been raised regarding whether undisclosed outside activities could present potential security concerns. The Air Force routinely considers undisclosed financial or reputational vulnerabilities when evaluating suitability and trust.
Junior enlisted Airmen have historically faced disciplinary action for far less visible conduct involving social media or outside activities, making the situation a point of interest for service members and veterans watching how standards are applied.
The Salty Soldier has reached out to Shaw Air Force Base Public Affairs requesting comment regarding Smith’s social media activity, outside income-generating platforms, and applicable Air Force guidance. As of publication, no response has been received.
Editorial Note
Due to advertiser and platform regulations, The Salty Soldier cannot publish or describe the explicit nature of certain statements, promotional language, or content associated with Smith’s subscription-based platforms in this article.
Readers seeking a full, uncensored breakdown of the content being sold, the language used to promote it, and the broader accountability implications can view the complete reporting at TheSaltySoldierUncensored.com.
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