If a fellow Servicemember endorses you here on RP, is it expected to receive a endorsment back?

SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA — Sun, 10 Aug 2014 14:41:53 -0400

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Aug 10 at 2014 3:21 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Sun, 10 Aug 2014 15:21:01 -0400

I endorse people I feel have made a difference here on RP whether or not they have endorsed me. I don't think anyone here should feel obligated to do so, or "return" an endorsement

Response by 1LT Nick Kidwell made Aug 10 at 2014 3:35 PM

1LT Nick Kidwell — Sun, 10 Aug 2014 15:35:33 -0400

Well, I'm a veteran, not a servicemember, but I only endorse people I know personally and have served with.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2014 3:38 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Aug 2014 15:38:30 -0400

I would state that would be akin to expecting someone to say, "I love you too" when you say it to them. MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca , I too try to endorse folks on RP who are contributors regardless if they have endorsed me. If they do or have, it is just bonus.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2014 3:46 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Aug 2014 15:46:58 -0400

I believe that endorsements of people solely based on RP input and discussions is a weak endorsement. No offense to anyone that practices this, but I believe to truly endorse someone in the qualities of character, presence, intellect, leading, developing and achieving (I've selected these 3 attributes and 3 competencies for a reason) and 22 components subset to them, that you have to have served with someone and seen them take action...and not just talk about it on a (very important and professionally developmental) social media site. Call me old fashioned, but if a 55 year old man can pretend to be an 18 year old girl on social media, I'm pretty sure someone can blow a lot of smoke on this or other websites about their resume, qualifications and military history. This thing isn't linked to IPERMS. You have to KNOW someone...seen them LEAD Soldiers...seen them react to stressful conditions and excell. Then and only then should you endorse someone.

Response by CPT Richard Riley made Aug 10 at 2014 3:50 PM

CPT Richard Riley — Sun, 10 Aug 2014 15:50:33 -0400

Endorsing another member is uniquely personal. Some only endorse those they have served with and know personally, others endorse based on interactions here, still others are quite selective and a remote few endorse at any interaction.

I tend to think the majority have a threshold that needs to be met prior to sending any endorsement. If you view an endorsement as a personal 'voucher' for that individual, you tend to be very discriminating in who you bestow an endorsement on.

It's a personal choice. I don't think there is any expectation of a reciprocal endorsement, nor should there be. If you believe a person is worthy of your endorsement that is great, to somehow anticipate that you will receive an endorsement in kind is assuming too much.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2014 4:34 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Aug 2014 16:34:34 -0400

I do not expect anything. I endorse, and comment from my heart.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Aug 10 at 2014 6:39 PM

MSG Wade Huffman — Sun, 10 Aug 2014 18:39:06 -0400

Given that this community is so diverse and that there are very few that I have personally met, I tend to agree with MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca in that I tend to endorse those who I feel have provided major contributions to the RP community. I don't expect an endorsement in return, nor do I feel obligated to endorse someone just because they endorse me.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2014 5:12 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 17:12:51 -0400

I think there is some expectations for a return endorsement although it's not mandatory someone obviously thought that you deserved it maybe you should look into the endorser more and maybe return the favor.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Oct 11 at 2014 10:07 AM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Sat, 11 Oct 2014 10:07:56 -0400

I never expect it.

Response by LTC Jason Strickland made Oct 11 at 2014 10:31 AM

LTC Jason Strickland — Sat, 11 Oct 2014 10:31:33 -0400

Unlike the endorsement process on LinkedIn, where I get some from people who don't know me and have never even interacted with me, on RallyPoint, it seems we tend to endorse after some level of virtual interaction - which is understandable.
So, SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA, I agree with MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca, SPC Randy Torgerson, MSG Carl Cunningham, SFC Private RallyPoint Member, MSG Wade Huffman, PO2 Private RallyPoint Member, SGT Jason Scholte, COL Private RallyPoint Member, SSG John Bacon, 1LT Scott Doyle, CPT Richard Riley, TSgt Joshua Copeland - no expectation in return.
I do not endorse on LinkedIn - ever; however, I have on RallyPoint Team, and will continue to do so.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2014 11:05 AM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Oct 2014 11:05:23 -0400

SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA, thanks for posting this topic. I have been wondering the same thing, so the responses here are very helpful to me.

Response by Sgt Jennifer Mohler made Oct 11 at 2014 11:44 AM

Sgt Jennifer Mohler — Sat, 11 Oct 2014 11:44:33 -0400

No. I do not expect anything else, nor do I endorse people I have never met. I feel when I put the endorsement out there it shows someone's personal experience with another SM or Vet.

Response by MCPO Hans Brakob made Oct 12 at 2014 11:47 AM

MCPO Hans Brakob — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 11:47:43 -0400

I'm not sure what the endorsement signifies.

He's a good guy?

He should be promoted?

His information is always correct?

I dated his sister?

Response by SPC David Shaffer made Oct 13 at 2014 1:26 PM

SPC David Shaffer — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 13:26:54 -0400

I agree with most of the comments on this. Nothing in life should ever be expected. That's the problem with America these days....people expect too much. You can't get anything out if you don't put anything into it.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2014 2:10 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 14:10:56 -0400

Some people probably do expect reciprocal endorsements here. Nothing wrong with that expectation except there is probably some form of let-down when one is not received.

Personally, if I receive an endorsement, I send a message of thanks. That lets the individual know that I reviewed it and appreciate their good opinion.

With regards to the need for having seen someone in action or in combat in order to endorse, I believe RP has handled that nicely when the endorsement is given with the ability to check what they are being endorsed for. Perhaps more options would make some feel better. The options show on the endorsement so it should not be misleading what that individual is being endorsed for.

I personally endorse only when I have a strong feeling for what someone represents here on RP. Yes, they may be a 55yo man trying to pretend they are a 14yo girl on RP, but I would not endorse a 14yo girl.

The endorsement process on RP does take a little bit of effort, so I do not think most of us take it lightly. But as a veteran who interacts daily with veterans, retiree's and active service members I do not think I need to have seem them in combat to like what they have to say and find their comments valuable.

In the end, does it matter whether they are FOS or blowing sunshine? If you found their comments' thought provoking, insightful, helpful or just funny enough to consistently brighten your day why not endorse them.