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

2015-05-09T19:16:36-04:00

Rally Point is a social media sight. It's here for people to exhange ideas. It's not a sight to bully people or demean them for having a different opinion than you. With that said if the current protocal calls for an explanation of a down vote that doesn't give anyone the right to speak down to another service member for not complying. It's hard enough to get junior service members to feel comfortable enough to speak freely without fear of retribution so the added pressure of a senior service member telling them to man up does not help. Remember it's just social media, take it down a notch or two.

Response by PFC Tuan Trang made May 9 at 2015 7:21 PM

2015-05-09T19:21:58-04:00

I agree with you MSG.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2015 7:37 PM

2015-05-09T19:37:29-04:00

Absolutely spot on, MSG!!

That SSG snitching on the young soldier asking for pointers, didn't help things either.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2015 8:46 PM

2015-05-09T20:46:07-04:00

I am calling 'bull hockey' on the retribution to younger members. How does anyone really bully anyone on RallyPoint? I am one of the more senior members here with regards to this service and I cannot remember a junior member getting berated unfairly. And certainly not routinely.

We have moderators here who will reconcile any over-the-top behavior and as far as explaining a downvote, it is the courteous thing to do. Certainly one is not penalized for not qualifying remarks, so I see this as another attempt to curb free speech. IMHO

Response by SFC William Farrell made May 9 at 2015 8:50 PM

2015-05-09T20:50:00-04:00

I agree with you completely MSG Williams. There are some however whose comments are so ludicrous or completely out of line that they need to be voted down, with or without an explanation.

Response by SGT Anthony Bussing made May 9 at 2015 9:09 PM

2015-05-09T21:09:40-04:00

" It's not a sight to bully people or demean them for having a different opinion than you." then we need to have an open NCODP and ODP about this very subject...take me for example...Im a Democrat atheist...but to see how some react when I post something, youd think I was the anti christ him self...

Response by SrA Jonathan Carbonaro made May 9 at 2015 9:13 PM

2015-05-09T21:13:03-04:00

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

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2015 9:14 PM

2015-05-09T21:14:14-04:00

I agree with you, MSG Private RallyPoint Member. 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.

DOWN Voting

What is voting down? Voting down, or "down voting", is how the community indicates that a member's pos...

Response by SGT Richard H. made May 9 at 2015 9:49 PM

2015-05-09T21:49:50-04:00

Great reminder, MSG Private RallyPoint Member. To this end, I will say that I've seen a junior SM get jumped on for a question about "getting his PSG off his back" with very little detail given. One member went pretty hard line on him without taking the time to gather more information and ended up getting lambasted for it.

Point being, I think RP does a pretty good job of policing itself in this area.

Response by LCpl Mark Lefler made May 9 at 2015 10:17 PM

2015-05-09T22:17:34-04:00

RP is really the only place I converse anymore, most people here are fairly moderate in their opinions, it did chap me a little getting a down vote with no explanation, but its not a big deal to me. It always gets to me when members in this group or any disagree and eat each other live, when i say that I don't mean in debating a different point but in personal attacks. This though on RP seems a rarity to me, which is comforting. We're suppose be a brother/sister hood of military people we should be the example to the public not be the example of what not to do. I could write an essay on this topic, it's one that is very important to me, but that would be unneeded.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2015 10:29 PM

2015-05-09T22:29:33-04:00

Exactly MSG! Well said

Response by COL Charles Williams made May 10 at 2015 12:14 AM

2015-05-10T00:14:26-04:00

MSG Private RallyPoint Member 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.

Response by TSgt David Holman made May 10 at 2015 12:24 AM

2015-05-10T00:24:03-04:00

I don't agree. As long as approached from a respectful stand point, then explaining why you downvote someone is actually a good thing. I know I would want to know why someone downvoted me, even if it was a junior member.

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made May 10 at 2015 3:06 AM

2015-05-10T03:06:46-04:00

I think the issue with the down vote really revolves around the points. I think most of us have no issue with getting thumbs down on other sites that have that sort of thing. That -30 means that no only have you voiced an obscure disagreement, but you've harmed my imaginary status. It's the difference between "I disagree" and "I disagree. Also, you don't get a cookie."

Hands off my cookie, man.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2015 9:28 AM

2015-05-10T09:28:02-04:00

I do agree. In the AF, we have a concept that "there is no rank in the jet". Even the youngest 2LT can tell a general that he's screwing something up in the cockpit. More than once an aircraft has been saved because the youngest guy on the crew caught something overlooked by the more experienced instructors.

So yes, I fully support letting the ideas stand on their own merits, rather than tying them to the rank of the person typing them.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2015 9:52 AM

2015-05-10T09:52:35-04:00

Fortunately/unfortunately we live in a generation where information flow is not just up and down through the chain, but across it as well.

I, personally, have a more participative style of leadership where I do take the thoughts and opinions of my whole team in to account (when I can) before I make a decision. One thing they do understand is that I have 51% of the vote.

Having said all that, we as a military are not a republic or a democracy, America is. Inside our organization we have to maintain good order and discipline for the structure to work. Yes, there are toxic leaders, yes, there are toxic followers too. There is a mechanism built within our ranks to police those folks up; it worked for decades before social media, it will work with social media.

Did you know that even HRC (Army Human Resources Command) gets calls within the chain of command if someone didn't pick up the phone when they were called and it was posted on FaceBook? Also, did you know that most companies do a social media search of what you post and what your 'virtual' person looks like before they hire you? Also, what you say could cost you your job in the civilian sector?

Even though I AGREE WHOLEHEARTEDLY with MSG Private RallyPoint Member there is a line that needs not be crossed when using any social media within the ranks. You may not be able to see it, but it will hurt the good order and discipline we NEED to accomplish our missions. I'm sure everyone has heard 'train as you fight'. Well, I think it applies to our social media habits and our rantings on social media. I want those around me that are going to follow orders in a very hectic situation down range, and I want to have full faith and confidence that they will. The only way I have that is if they demonstrate that when we are in training (garrison).

Bringing a personal situation up asking for mentorship is one thing, complaining or usurping the CoC is another.

Social media is one of the best AND worst things that has happened to the military.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 10 at 2015 4:30 PM

2015-05-10T16:30:45-04:00

I agree. Everyone should use decorum when addressing others and stating their opinions. The I am right and you are wrong because that's my beautiful opinion, aggravates other parties.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made May 11 at 2015 1:10 PM

2015-05-11T13:10:03-04:00

One of my favorite quotes: "If isn't said, It isn't heard!" MSG Williams well said. I think we need to make sure that all of the RallyPoint Members are afforded that same courtesy, as well as the junior service members. Just make sure it paces the "Common Sense" test. Everyone is definitely entitled to his or her opinions, but let's keep them respectful when it comes to our service members (Veterans, Active Duty (all services), Retirees, Reservist, and National Guard members)!

Response by MAJ Pete Joplin made May 12 at 2015 4:42 PM

2015-05-12T16:42:29-04:00

I've only been here a week or so and my observations so far are positive. I give a very huge shout out to you junior warriors. Your carriage, respect, and courtesy are unequivocally unimpeachable. You represent yourselves and your service so very well, that I swell with pride to have ever served for you. I am equally impressed with what you have to say and how you say it! We really have come a long way!
As for the question at hand, it really is a slippery slope. While I don't fear for myself, I would go back to war to protect the junior members "under fire" (or worse) and I fear for them.