RallyPoint Protocol -- We need to make sure that junior members feel comfortable to speak without fear of retribution. Do you agree?

I agree with you, MSG (Join to see). Everyone - from the most junior to most senior member of RallyPoint - should be respectful towards other members in this forum. That's a given. We all learned respect in the military, and RallyPoint is a great place to practice what we learned in that regard.

On the issue of down-votes ... The "rule" is a comment on the Support Center page about DOWN voting: http://support.rallypoint.com/customer/portal/articles/1401594-down-voting?b_id=4766

"Many consider it a common courtesy to post a response or a comment (whichever is appropriate) to the person you down voted, explaining why you voted down. This is particularly true if you down voted because of a strong difference of opinion."

I tend to agree with that suggestion. People of all ranks can respectfully disagree and even down-vote. It's just common courtesy to comment and explain the down-vote (in my opinion).

As for anyone "talking down" to anyone else ... This is not the place for that. We agree on that completely. And we agree on "taking it down a notch or two." You're right. This is social media. It's a place to exchange ideas. Absolutely no need for drama or hystrionics.

Honestly, I know that is a fear of mine. Words are like Bullets, once you send it you can't call it back. I personally have found myself typing a reply to something I personally believe, then thinking about the consequences of that post if someone higher up reads it and disagrees then I delete what I would of said.

Regardless of the rules on this site, we are still responsible for what we say. And unlike saying it in person where you can simply deny saying it, on here a simple screen shot and you're done. I don't fear retribution on Rally point, because at the end of the day its virtual. I fear it in real life from "leadership" where the damage can be more then just a "dislike"

.02

MSG (Join to see) Hopefully I have never made anyone on Rally Point feel like I was coming down on them, as that was/is never my intent. I generally down vote no one, as I value all comments and opinions; they all help me be better. I don't like getting down votes, especially when (A) someone misses my point, which is usually my fault; or, (B) even worse when they down vote and don't even explain why. It may sound silly, but I we disagree here, I at least want to the opportunity to clarify or explain; especially where there is a misunderstanding, which is easy in social media.