Posted on Nov 10, 2014
Are members forgetting the purpose of RallyPoint?
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*** First, let me start with saying that the topic names I am about to write about are not meant to point members out or demean them in anyway! ***
So, are we as members starting to forget the purpose behind RallyPoint? In my opinion, I see RallyPoint as a tool to interface with Veterans and current members of all branches of the military on topics relating to our services, being able to ask questions about specific topics, or voice opinion on military related matters. I may be off base here, but that is what RallyPoint seems to me.
I have seen numerous examples of what I believe are great topics for dicussion, such as: 1) Marine Poser Finally Gets Busted (relates to stolen valor). 2) Cancealed carry for CAC holders. 3) How do you feel about correcting someone of higher rank (great topic for junior enlisted / officers with limited experience in the military). And there are 1000s more.
On the other hand, I have seen topics that I question as to what point they have on RallyPoint and that seem more like a FaceBook question. Topics such as: 1) Private or Ninja, where do you stand? 2) Console Wars (talking about game controllers). 3) Sci Fi Beatdown, What is your favorite SciFi Movie / Series? And there are a few others. Although these may be interesting topics, what do they have to do with "Rallying" around our military service.
Just my thoughts on the topic. Interested in hearing other's thoughts as well!
So, are we as members starting to forget the purpose behind RallyPoint? In my opinion, I see RallyPoint as a tool to interface with Veterans and current members of all branches of the military on topics relating to our services, being able to ask questions about specific topics, or voice opinion on military related matters. I may be off base here, but that is what RallyPoint seems to me.
I have seen numerous examples of what I believe are great topics for dicussion, such as: 1) Marine Poser Finally Gets Busted (relates to stolen valor). 2) Cancealed carry for CAC holders. 3) How do you feel about correcting someone of higher rank (great topic for junior enlisted / officers with limited experience in the military). And there are 1000s more.
On the other hand, I have seen topics that I question as to what point they have on RallyPoint and that seem more like a FaceBook question. Topics such as: 1) Private or Ninja, where do you stand? 2) Console Wars (talking about game controllers). 3) Sci Fi Beatdown, What is your favorite SciFi Movie / Series? And there are a few others. Although these may be interesting topics, what do they have to do with "Rallying" around our military service.
Just my thoughts on the topic. Interested in hearing other's thoughts as well!
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RallyPoint
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 24
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You have a point, but I'd have to ask, what's the sense in having a community if the community has to restrict itself topically?
There's a lot about my Joes that I have to learn in order to know them, and a lot of that is not related to military service. That's how you start building a team and that's how you start building a community too.
Just one view.
There's a lot about my Joes that I have to learn in order to know them, and a lot of that is not related to military service. That's how you start building a team and that's how you start building a community too.
Just one view.
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MSG (Join to see)
If its any consolation, SPC(P) Jay Heenan, I only use "Joe" as a collective noun. "Troop" can be confusing, especially in the Cav, and "Soldiers" is both more formal and more syllables than I'd like. So, I wouldn't call you, "Joe", though I might refer to the group that includes you that way.
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LTC (Join to see)
MSG (Join to see) It's a good view, but I would offer that we have Face Book for learning about our "Joes". It's funny, because I recently saw on Linked In that it is starting to trend away from it's original purpose. I wonder, is that the nature of all social sights?
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SSG Leonard Johnson
good post. I treat it like dis brothas....other sites and newspaper articles get off topic an have a lil fun. WSJ for example has their additions on travel, good buys and stuff like that, same with Popular Mechanics....If you don't like or want to post, go to the next one.
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MSG (Join to see)
LTC (Join to see), I can see some utility in Facebook, but just like all my Joes aren't on Rally Point, they also aren't on Facebook. What I get from RP over FB, is a cross section of individuals of similar grades, ages and experience levels that are like mine. I could do that with FB, but there are military specific differences that I don't have to mentally weed out here. And for a 46 year old E7 trying to relate to a 19 year old E3, that's a big help.
If it's a matter of knowing this or that specific Solider, only one-on-one will do that--Social Media need not apply.
And, yes, I think that any social media platform will seek a "common level," as it were, eventually. I guess the answer to the question as to who its for is more important than the answer to what it's for. The site is for the users, not the users for the site.
If it's a matter of knowing this or that specific Solider, only one-on-one will do that--Social Media need not apply.
And, yes, I think that any social media platform will seek a "common level," as it were, eventually. I guess the answer to the question as to who its for is more important than the answer to what it's for. The site is for the users, not the users for the site.
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There are 4 tabs Military related is one and General Interest is another. We need a Crayon Box tab, so people who want color have a place to do so.
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Sgt Jonathan Hopkins
You're right it's ok. I also happen to have horrendous handwriting that looks like I wrote with my FEET in crayon! lol
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LTC (Join to see), I agree generally. There may be military aspects to certain topics (politics, for example), but the primary purpose of RallyPoint - per my understanding - is to link up with military personnel and veterans, and discuss military related topics.
With the way we are required to format our discussions in a Q&A layout, it does cramp the style of people who want to just post a general comment or topic. Or have fun with a light-hearted topic. I don't think those things should be prohibited, even if the primary purpose of RallyPoint is military topics.
With the way we are required to format our discussions in a Q&A layout, it does cramp the style of people who want to just post a general comment or topic. Or have fun with a light-hearted topic. I don't think those things should be prohibited, even if the primary purpose of RallyPoint is military topics.
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CPT (Join to see)
SPC(P) Jay Heenan - it isn't about "whining". If you want to share it, share it verbally among your friends. There are members of the military that respect the president, and ultimately these are opinions. It is important for those of us still serving to maintain that. As you enter into a leadership role, your job is to remain objective, so that none of your Soldiers will ever feel that you won't support them because of your beliefs, or that they feel it is okay to say everything they want..because the reality of the situation is that not everyone will have the discretion to know when to say what and how. I have seen officers that have trash talked the President, and when I called them on it privately I was told "F**k you, I'll say what I want." The junior troops picked up on it, and felt it was ok to openly criticize President Obama, and some even took it a step further to start trash talking the CO.
As a junior troop, they'll let you get away with being stupid once or twice. But you are soon to become an NCO. At that point, people will look to you for how to model their own military lives. Set them up for success by being a good example. Once you obtain a leadership role, you forfeit the right to bitch in front of your troops. They need to see the best side of you at all times, whether it be an internet forum, the parade ground, or the battlefield.
Just my .12 cents (stupid inflation).
v/r,
CPT Butler
As a junior troop, they'll let you get away with being stupid once or twice. But you are soon to become an NCO. At that point, people will look to you for how to model their own military lives. Set them up for success by being a good example. Once you obtain a leadership role, you forfeit the right to bitch in front of your troops. They need to see the best side of you at all times, whether it be an internet forum, the parade ground, or the battlefield.
Just my .12 cents (stupid inflation).
v/r,
CPT Butler
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1SG (Join to see)
SPC(P) Jay Heenan CPT (Join to see) had some very good advice for you. I would like to take it one step further. "The reason we can't have nice things" as you put it is usually the results of Service Members not being mature enough to handle the "nice things". In this case you are part of the problem. At no time during your military career should you as an SPC be having a conversation with a MAJ using the terminology that you are using. If you want to complain about others being "little b@tches" as you put it; you go do that to your junior enlisted friends. That is why we can't have nice things. It is because everyone thinks that they are on the same level as everyone else and is entitled to speak about anything they want, in any tone they want, to whom ever they want, and when every they want to. Then when someone like LTC (Join to see) says something we try to resort to high school ideology. In a forum like this no one is going whining to the "higher ups". The "higher ups are literally in the conversation with you and you can't speak or act like a professional Soldier.
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SPC(P) Jay Heenan
1SG (Join to see) CPT (Join to see) LTC (Join to see)
SSG Schmidt,
Seriously SSG? At no time in my career should I be having a conversation with a MAJ using WHAT terminology? I am part of the Problem? What problem? I was merely responding to his comment that I thought it (this site) would be better if everyone (respectfully of course) could say what was on their mind without being reprimanded by some random higher ranking person here or someone taking what was said here back to their Coc. I am really trying to figure out how I am not being professional. I am in no way trying to 'start anything' or have anyone think I am being disrespectful here, I am just trying to understand your response.
CPT Butler,
I get what you are saying. My point (even if it didn't come out clearly), is that this is a Civilian, social media site for Service Members and Veterans. If everyone has to worry about crossing that line, don't you think that it hinders the whole point of this site. It is also a professional site, so as long as you are respectful, and non-threatening, I think it would be way cool if SMs could voice their opinion without fear.
LTC (Join to see), if I was unprofessional towards you, I do apologize.
SSG Schmidt,
Seriously SSG? At no time in my career should I be having a conversation with a MAJ using WHAT terminology? I am part of the Problem? What problem? I was merely responding to his comment that I thought it (this site) would be better if everyone (respectfully of course) could say what was on their mind without being reprimanded by some random higher ranking person here or someone taking what was said here back to their Coc. I am really trying to figure out how I am not being professional. I am in no way trying to 'start anything' or have anyone think I am being disrespectful here, I am just trying to understand your response.
CPT Butler,
I get what you are saying. My point (even if it didn't come out clearly), is that this is a Civilian, social media site for Service Members and Veterans. If everyone has to worry about crossing that line, don't you think that it hinders the whole point of this site. It is also a professional site, so as long as you are respectful, and non-threatening, I think it would be way cool if SMs could voice their opinion without fear.
LTC (Join to see), if I was unprofessional towards you, I do apologize.
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CPT (Join to see)
SPC(P) Jay Heenan I get your point. For retirees, they have that ability.i don't think you have to worry as much about retaliation and your own chain here..... but maintaining your military bearing in a "public"venue is a 24/7/365.....366 on lap year job.
Members from your unit may be here. Your own soldiers that you are responsible for may also be here. There are limits to what leaders should say within earshot of their troops. We have a duty to set the standard expected. You can generally say what you want as long as it is professionally worded... but as I said. ... it is still important that you set the tone for other junior troops. If you think this is the place to scream about Obama or trash talk every officer or senior NCO, then it'll be a shock. You can ask for advice on how to deal with problematic personnel (including officers), but the form is intended for professional networking and problem solving.....not for just unloading like you would at a drinking buddies house.
Also, maintaining that decorum on a forum fosters the habit when you are in the real world. There is everyone from privates to generals here.... and different backgrounds. I have friends that are both above and below in rank.... and we still afford the courtesies due the rank, even when not in uniform. At one point I tried to change it.... but realized the intent was to preserve the habit more than just doing it for me.
In terms of crossing the line.... I don't worry about crossing it. You can say (generally) what you want without being abrasive. People don't expect you to hold their opinion as gospel truth. They DO expect respectful debate. .... much the same as your own views are respected. You can say "Sir, I disagree and here's why" but not "Are you a f*cking moron? "
I get what you are stating. I just want you to understand that people are going to look at you and your behaviors really soon if they haven't already. How you interact with people. ... especially other service members, will be noticed.... even if you don't think so. That public attention begins now, and will only grow as you advance in rank and responsibilities.
How you act here is your call. I am not on the staff.... just offering guidance from my own observations of others. Crossing the line here is in many ways more of a "how you say it" than "what you say"..... with the exceptions of trading the President and things like that.
Does this clarify at all?
V/R,
CPT Butler
Members from your unit may be here. Your own soldiers that you are responsible for may also be here. There are limits to what leaders should say within earshot of their troops. We have a duty to set the standard expected. You can generally say what you want as long as it is professionally worded... but as I said. ... it is still important that you set the tone for other junior troops. If you think this is the place to scream about Obama or trash talk every officer or senior NCO, then it'll be a shock. You can ask for advice on how to deal with problematic personnel (including officers), but the form is intended for professional networking and problem solving.....not for just unloading like you would at a drinking buddies house.
Also, maintaining that decorum on a forum fosters the habit when you are in the real world. There is everyone from privates to generals here.... and different backgrounds. I have friends that are both above and below in rank.... and we still afford the courtesies due the rank, even when not in uniform. At one point I tried to change it.... but realized the intent was to preserve the habit more than just doing it for me.
In terms of crossing the line.... I don't worry about crossing it. You can say (generally) what you want without being abrasive. People don't expect you to hold their opinion as gospel truth. They DO expect respectful debate. .... much the same as your own views are respected. You can say "Sir, I disagree and here's why" but not "Are you a f*cking moron? "
I get what you are stating. I just want you to understand that people are going to look at you and your behaviors really soon if they haven't already. How you interact with people. ... especially other service members, will be noticed.... even if you don't think so. That public attention begins now, and will only grow as you advance in rank and responsibilities.
How you act here is your call. I am not on the staff.... just offering guidance from my own observations of others. Crossing the line here is in many ways more of a "how you say it" than "what you say"..... with the exceptions of trading the President and things like that.
Does this clarify at all?
V/R,
CPT Butler
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