Friend requests on Facebook from fellow Jarheads... what do YOU do?

Cpl Anthony Pearson — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 10:48:04 -0400

When it comes to random friend requests, I spend 30 seconds determining if I know the person, and then usually DELETE the request. Once in awhile, I learn that the person is a Marine, at which point, I usually accept the request. I mostly use Facebook as a stage for goofy stuff, and my personal photos and events and updates are kept from most of my friend list.

I have a LARGE number of Jarheads friended on Facebook and have never had a problem with it. It is actually nice to see so many brothers and sisters responded to my posts.

Wondering how you handle Facebook requests from fellow Marines?

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Jun 15 at 2015 10:59 AM

Capt Richard I P. — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 10:59:22 -0400

As of now I don't have a Facebook. I got tired of all the arguments, the trolling, the low value content. Sound familiar? If I do wade back into that morass (might need to for school) I fully intend to be very cautious with privacy settings and who I accept as a friend. I absolutely will not link FB and RP for blatantly obvious OPSec and info arc concerns.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jun 15 at 2015 11:06 AM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 11:06:40 -0400

Cpl Anthony Pearson I feel really special that you accepted my request on RP! Thank you. In response to your question (on the Army side of the house) I always accept Army requests for Facebook. I use it pretty much the same way you do, along with family members. Unfortunately, Facebook is where I get the most communication from my two daughters that are away at college. I've enjoyed RP the most now, because I've been able to connect with Veterans, Retirees, Active Duty members, Reservists, National Guard, and Coast Guard brothers and sisters in arms. I've actually had the opportunity to connect on a business level and from a mentoring level. It feels good to provide guidance and advice to other members of the armed forces. Sorry for the long response!

Response by SGT William Howell made Jun 15 at 2015 12:13 PM

SGT William Howell — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 12:13:00 -0400

I never accept any request from Marines on my Facebook.

Next thing you know they are at your real house drinking all your beer, eating all your food, the car ends up wrecked, and the dog ends up pregnant. I just don't have that kind of time for Facebook.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Jun 15 at 2015 1:22 PM

Maj Chris Nelson — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 13:22:17 -0400

On facebook I am kinda picky. IF I receive a friend request, I will often decline it if I don't KNOW you. If I can do some background checking and you are on RallyPoint, are already a friend here, your facebook page info looks ok, then I may consider it. If I am not comfortable with anything on either platform that would be appropriate for MY facebook, it is a decline.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Jun 16 at 2015 1:16 AM

Capt Mark Strobl — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 01:16:57 -0400

I'll accept any RP connection request. However, the litmus test is substantially higher for admission to my FB page. I don't have a FB Friend that I don't know personally.

Response by Capt Jeff S. made Jun 17 at 2015 2:18 PM

Capt Jeff S. — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 14:18:32 -0400

None of the above. I don't stalk, but I do check people's profiles to see if they're legit. If they seem like a person I'd like to know, I accept.

Response by SPC Candace Leach made Jun 21 at 2015 10:41 AM

SPC Candace Leach — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 10:41:42 -0400

I have some Marines that are friends with me on Facebook but that's because I know them and we were in the same unit. RP, I'll accept any service member request but Facebook is something that I use to communicate with friends and family and I don't just accept everyone's friend request. I have to know you in person.

Response by SSgt Scott Schwerman made Jun 24 at 2015 3:16 PM

SSgt Scott Schwerman — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 15:16:45 -0400

If I know the person personally or I have served with them knowingly, then I will add them. Otherwise, I ignore it.

Response by Capt Jeff S. made Nov 12 at 2015 11:58 AM

Capt Jeff S. — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 11:58:59 -0500

Hey, check out my new friend... ; )

How many of you have been spammed with friend requests by people with fake profiles? They're easy to spot. Recently created profile with almost no information in it, just a few sultry pictures... usually of some hot chick... and tons of folks like SGT William Howell recently added as friends. Would hate to spoil their fun and tell them it's just a picture and the person they're slobbering over isn't the person writing them. : )~

I have no idea what people see in having a huge friend list on Facebook. How many of these folks are are real? Anyone can pretend they're anything on the Internet. What people get out of making false profiles is beyond me. Folks like that need to get a REAL life. There's no "good" reason for people who create fake profiles to friend total strangers unless... they are sick and desperately in need of attention, or they are identity thieves! It's good practice to check every friend request thoroughly to see if those trying to friend you are real before approving. Look at their timelines, their photos and albums and consider what they post before approving.

Fake friends are just like weeds. Periodically, it's a good idea to go through your friends list to see if any are there that slipped through the cracks, and weed all the fake ones out.

Response by LCpl Paul Messer made Sep 27 at 2016 10:09 AM

LCpl Paul Messer — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 10:09:00 -0400

I usually know them personally, but if they are a Marine brother I'll usually accept their request.

Response by Sgt Teri Kemp made Sep 27 at 2016 1:22 PM

Sgt Teri Kemp — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 13:22:59 -0400

I check them out first. If they seem legit and like I'd like to hang out with them, accept. If they become a problem, I just delete them. I'll accept other branches as well, but it all depends on each person's weird factor. Admittedly, I'm a Marine so ya gotta be pretty off in the grape to get under my skin.

Response by Sgt David Hutchinson made Sep 27 at 2016 6:17 PM

Sgt David Hutchinson — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 18:17:08 -0400

I try to accept, they may be that one brother or sister that is looking for an ear and you might be it even though you don't know them

Response by Cpl Kurt Huber made Sep 28 at 2016 6:12 PM

Cpl Kurt Huber — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 18:12:08 -0400

Marines are my family (except POGS) just kidding.
I always accept a Marines request, if he's a shit bird then they're gone, simple as that.