Is RallyPoint a toxic community?

2019-09-25T15:19:46-04:00

From the short time that I’ve been here, I’ve notice that there’s a handful of people that are “up to no good” and just feel the need to be sarcastic, smartass, and just counter-productive to the overall point of this website. I hate to say this, and I don’t mean any disrespect, but it looks like it comes from folks that have been in for a long time, or retirees. I came here in hopes of connecting with people and networking, and I’m sure there’s a lot of that. However, just like everything else, the negative part overshadows that. At least for me, here, it does. So tell me; am I exaggerating? Is this normal here?

Response by PO1 H Gene Lawrence made Sep 25 at 2019 3:24 PM

2019-09-25T15:24:15-04:00

You might find success in connecting if folks knew who you are, just an observation on my part.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Sep 25 at 2019 3:25 PM

2019-09-25T15:25:06-04:00

This community is what we make it and what we allow it to be. As one of the senior user admins and one of the longest members on this site, I've seen this site go through both good and not-so-good cycles. I will say, things have seem to get a little more crazy since 2016. People fail to either remember or fully understand that the first amendment does not give you the right to say whatever you want whereever you want. This is a privatly controlled website and the admin reserve the right to alter or remove any posts that get out of control.

With that being said, there no way the small group of admins, many of us volunteer, to stay on top of every post. So if you see something, it's best to report the post or tag one of the user admins. User admins are identified by the small set of stars by our picture.

If anyone has any questions, I'm always available.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2019 3:30 PM

2019-09-25T15:30:02-04:00

I think a lot of people are here to talk about how tough they used to be. But if you have a legitimate concern and dig through the garbage you’ll find a lot of good solid career advice too.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2019 3:33 PM

2019-09-25T15:33:48-04:00

No, it is not.
I've been active on RP for about five years, and seen the evolution from a networking and Q&A site to one that is more opinion-driven and facebook-like. That is not a positive development.
Spend some time on here and you will figure out which members are helpful, which are fire-breathers and bomb-throwers, who are trolls and point chasers, and who is thoughtful in their responses and who are not.
It is a big site, with a lot of diverse folks engaged. Generally speaking, the longer the tenure they have, the less chance they are a negative individual. They tend to self-identify and get shunned.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2019 3:34 PM

2019-09-25T15:34:53-04:00

It is like television, you can just change the Channel. In my case, I just pick the subject line that I want to look at. I may be considered one of those troublemakers, but recently I helped a brand new armor officer (prior service Army E-7)get an sop for a tank unit because he was transitioning from infantry or 19 Delta Scouts to Abrams tanks and he asked for assistance and I'm sure I saved him quite a few hours of having to regurgitate and reinvent the wheel for an existing template of old standing operating procedures for Abrams tanks from 16 years ago that's relevant today. I often help out young aspiring civilians who may want to join the active or the reserve component as an officer and I give them my career path. It's those memorable helping other people online that make up for any of my sarcastic or contrarian views.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2019 3:55 PM

2019-09-25T15:55:48-04:00

The majority of what you speak is about politics. You are not the first and won't be the last to notice how these posts and responses go. Some more quickly than others. There is still a lot of good gouge here, once you filter through the politics and sea lawyers seeking justification for their current situation. Best wishes, Will

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2019 3:56 PM

2019-09-25T15:56:21-04:00

Thank you for your post SGT Private RallyPoint Member! I don't know whether I am the right person to respond to your questions, but let me give it a try...

1st, I joined RP in February of this year, knew absolutely no one at RP... That said, I read some posts and responses, saw that there were some very good posts and responsible replies, so I proceeded to go through the process of entering my Profile and completing it... Very important! I then responded to a few Posts, reached out and made requests for connection and began acquiring more and more contacts among those who seemed to be the best contributors and responders and those that seemed really friendly and had respect for one another... I found many many military veteran, retirees, active duty, National Guard, Reservists & civilians....

Yep, I found a few people along the way who seemed to be troublemakers and I just ignored them. Some harassed me, so I blocked them and reported them... No problems... I stay on RP, because the people on RP are real people and they share their thoughts, their likes and dislikes, respect up and down the ranks when they were in the military and now respect for all... and we all get along tremendously well... I love space, technology, music, weaponry, military service, and much much more and I get a chance to post about things of interest to me and others... I have gone from Zero influence points to over 2,000,000 IPs through diligence, good topics, posts and responses...

You can do the same sargeant or not, it is your choice... It is the attitude that counts for me and it should for you as well... Complete your profile & get verified, figure out who you wish to connect to and start the process... Since you reached out, you must feel RP is somewhat worthwhile or you would not be here... Give it a shot! It is great in my opinion and I use what I learn and share what I learn or what I can mentor others on... I am Aa DAV Chapter COmmander with 600 members in it... all ages, most do not come to meetings, many do... But it is very worthwhile to join your fellow Veterans, break bread, join discussions and generally just have a good time with great people!
I Hope I answered you as you had hoped someone would... Send me a contact request and I will connect with you... Have a wonderful remainder of the day, my friend... I've tagged a number of my friends below... All wonderful down to earth people!

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Sep 25 at 2019 4:11 PM

2019-09-25T16:11:45-04:00

Please remember that RP is populated by people. Meaning that personalities exist. Just because a reply is sarcastic doesn't mean it isn't accurate. Most of us treat people on RP the same way we treat them IRL. Yes, there are a few who "hide behind a screen," but most won't say anything on RP that they wouldn't say in person. What you are getting is experience. Salt. Remember - "salty" means both experienced AND colorful.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Sep 25 at 2019 4:22 PM

2019-09-25T16:22:18-04:00

No it is Not! It is a forum for like minded veterans to exchange information 0on many topics. As in any community there will be people whose ideas you may or may not agree with. The fact that some may say things that you do not necessarily agree with in no way makes it toxic. You say you are here to network, look up the profiles and discussions of those who you think will be a good networking fit establish contacts and focus on them. Ignore the chaff that seems toxic to you.

Response by SN Donald Hoffman made Sep 25 at 2019 4:23 PM

2019-09-25T16:23:18-04:00

No, I think you are correct to a point. You will always have a segment of any group that will be negative to any way of thinking that is not there own. As for connecting and networking, just keep asking for connections and at some point you will find a connection that will create a friendship and a working relationship. Not every bio will give a complete story of that persons life.

Response by CPL Sheila Lewis made Sep 25 at 2019 4:43 PM

2019-09-25T16:43:32-04:00

No, RallyPoint is not toxic just some people and their points of view.

Response by CPO Mark Robinson made Sep 25 at 2019 4:59 PM

2019-09-25T16:59:42-04:00

I know what you mean when it comes to the old timers. I was in for 22 years and it has been 17 years since getting out so I have been hearing for the last 39 years about how the screwed up this new generation is. Navy Times is far worse. I cancelled my subscription because of the foul crap that came pouring out of their mouths in the comments section. Overall I think RP is a good site with a great group of people from 4 year one timers (who I have the utmost respect for) to the 40 plus year career people. I just wish more swabbies would get on board.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Sep 25 at 2019 5:10 PM

2019-09-25T17:10:22-04:00

Join a few groups you are interested in (humor, religion, history, whatever it might be) and connect with those people and ignore what you don't like. Yes we do have a few, but far fewer than Facebook in my opinion.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2019 5:11 PM

2019-09-25T17:11:08-04:00

While reading through this thread I found a new contact - Sgt Kerry Harkins (thank you, Sgt Anon!). You gotta focus on the positive.

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Sep 25 at 2019 5:43 PM

2019-09-25T17:43:06-04:00

There are a few who are mean spirited....however, most are not.

Response by CPL Douglas Chrysler made Sep 25 at 2019 5:45 PM

2019-09-25T17:45:46-04:00

Damn! I really try to be nice, but I get so overwhelmed sometimes the sarcasm just comes spewing out.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 25 at 2019 5:52 PM

2019-09-25T17:52:28-04:00

Sometimes the "only my opinion matters" become abrasive.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Sep 25 at 2019 6:27 PM

2019-09-25T18:27:54-04:00

It is not a toxic community, but you do have a small number of toxic (and loud) people within the community. I recommend staying on the Answers page (not "My Feed"), and keeping everything sorted by Date Published. That will focus you on the newest questions that are military-related. And, just ignore the troublemakers. Don't take the bait by reading their crap.

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Sep 25 at 2019 9:23 PM

2019-09-25T21:23:05-04:00

It is like anything else. Some is good and some is bad. If you see something you don't like, then just ignore it. There is a lot of good info on here and a lot of people trying to help each other out. I hope I have helped people on the site, but I have also stirred the pot a few times. Frankly, just like I did when I was in...

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Sep 26 at 2019 8:07 AM

2019-09-26T08:07:19-04:00

On RP we are interacting with generations of military(and a few civilians),with ages ranging from 17 or 18 to 75 or 80,different life styles and experiences.Older generations(me) had a different manner of communicating(respectful in some areas and sarcastic in others) usually.RP is an extension of this.
There are "trolls" who post and comment only to cause derision,but they are few compared to the size of the community and are usually contained or removed by our admins in a short time.Calling attention to an abusive member or disrespectful post by typing in an admins name usually gets immediate action.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Sep 26 at 2019 8:12 AM

2019-09-26T08:12:52-04:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member I guess it depends on you hang out with on RP my friend. I'll send you a connection request and hang out with some really positive and informative people here on RallyPoint. There are a few out there that like to stir the pot, but I avoid them and never respond to anything negative that they have to say. Never lower yourself to a level that feels uncomfortable or gives you negative fibs. Yo may not like my daily Motivational Quotes of the Day, but there is nothing negative about them and the number of RP Members that respond will astound you. Have a great Thursday and stay connected with some positive influencers and individual willing to help and support all veterans and service members. "Respect Always - Warriors for Life!"

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Oct 6 at 2019 11:17 PM

2019-10-06T23:17:13-04:00

Thank you for posting an intriguing question SGT Private RallyPoint Member.
For my experience over the past 4 years this is a network with most focused on sharing and receiving information in edifying ways. Humor, photography, music, history, congratulations and news posts are the ones I get involved with most.
Yes there are some trolls and those who behave like trolls which add heat and little light and just try to inflame.
I try to reason at least once and then choose to ignore
Thank you, my friend Sgt Private RallyPoint Member for mentioning me.
FYI SGT Steve McFarland Col Carl Whicker SGT Mark Anderson SSG Michael Noll SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTMSFC Jack ChampionA1C Ian Williams PO2 John Zodun Cpl James R. " Jim" Gossett Jr PVT Kenneth Krause SPC Jon O.MAJ Raúl Rovira SP5 Jeannie Carle SPC Chris Bayner-Cwik PO1 Jerome Newland TSgt David L.PO1 Robert George SGT John Melvin

Response by SP5 Jeannie Carle made Oct 6 at 2019 11:53 PM

2019-10-06T23:53:10-04:00

Oh Sgt! This is the least toxic place I've ever been on the net! Now - there are "threads" where some people get realllllly ugly - but not this one. I step into those - read the question and a few of the comments - see where they're headed, and get my butt back to the Col! I will try to send you a connect request also. I'm new enough I'm not sure if I can get it done,

Response by SFC William Farrell made Oct 6 at 2019 11:58 PM

2019-10-06T23:58:17-04:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member The Colonel COL Mikel J. Burroughs made some good points and he's a gerat guy to listen to and does so much for the veterans here on RallyPoint and across the country. Enjoy this place and dont let the bad apples get to you. I like it here so much more than FB!

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made Oct 7 at 2019 4:59 AM

2019-10-07T04:59:35-04:00

this community is like any other community, For the most part, it is not toxic , as lots of information is shared, viewpoints discussed, and advice is given in good faith. There will always be a minority that acts in bad faith, no matter where you stand on the socio/political/economic spectrum, just weed those individuals out. That does not mean that someone who disagrees with you is acting in bad faith, disagreement is NOT toxic, do not confuse that with those who troll.