Together We Served, what are your thoughts?

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 01:56:19 -0400

We all realize that other social media forums exist, however, I am curious to see what others think about the site---Together We Served. I have an account that I established during my first deployment, however, it doesn't seem to possess the same qualities as RallyPoint in connecting service members. Also, it appears that each service has their own login specifically designed for each branch.

Though I am not an expert or advocate for the site, I would like to hear feedback regarding the site and point out one feature that I noticed called, "The Shadow Box Poster Print."

From the site: We are now able to offer our Members an opportunity to order a high quality 18" wide poster print of your Profile Page Shadow Box you can frame and display at your home or office or provide as a keepsake to a family member(s). The cost is $24.95 + $6 USPO Priority Mail shipping.

The picture included on the site shows an impressive display of one service member's printable shadow box.

Thanks for your responses in advance!

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2014 7:05 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Sep 2014 19:05:59 -0400

I feel about the same as you PFC Kenneth Koepke. I hated not being able to link my profiles together for different services. I also wasn't crazy about paying to be a member as well. I noticed there wasn't many active duty personnel on there as well who actively log in.

Response by MSG Tony Hodge made Oct 1 at 2014 12:15 PM

MSG Tony Hodge — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 12:15:21 -0400

i am agreeing with you. i would be ok with the price if it offered more, i had a few years of access at the level of a paying member and did not see that much social interacion nor professional networking going on.

Response by MSG David Johnson made Dec 21 at 2014 6:13 PM

MSG David Johnson — Sun, 21 Dec 2014 18:13:16 -0500

It's ironic that I just posted a topic with the same site. I didn't realize there was already an active discussion about the site.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Dec 21 at 2014 6:18 PM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Sun, 21 Dec 2014 18:18:48 -0500

I was an admin when the AF site first came online. Keyword being was.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2014 6:26 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Dec 2014 18:26:50 -0500

I am a member. I almost never go there. The site had promise initially, but as others mentioned, there are two things going against it: 1) you can't link to other branches of the military and 2) you have to pay for the extra content.

Most of the guys that I knew on that site, also don't seem to be very active, if at all.

I find RP is much more entertaining, and I appreciate that the community is free.

I would like to see an employer forum or something where I could connect with potential employers (and vice-versa), and where employers could post veteran specific jobs (as in, an employer is looking specifically to fill a position with a veteran or military member) and also where they could post just jobs in general that might be a good fit for veterans.

Other than that, I think RP rocks!

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2014 6:39 PM

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Dec 2014 18:39:43 -0500

I'm not a member of that site, so I've no insight into using it. However, two interesting aspects are the ability to develop online unit histories and individual photo albums.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2014 7:00 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Dec 2014 19:00:18 -0500

I am there MAJ Private RallyPoint Member ! I am a historian there. Just lost a good friend!

Response by PO2 Corey Ferretti made Dec 21 at 2014 7:22 PM

PO2 Corey Ferretti — Sun, 21 Dec 2014 19:22:04 -0500

I was on there i did not care for it. it seemed to me you could only connect and chat with people you know so to me it was military Facebook. At least on here i can get feedback from people from different services and pay grades. With in a week here i saw more activity and discussions going on then in the month i was us together we served

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Dec 22 at 2014 10:38 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Mon, 22 Dec 2014 22:38:52 -0500

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member and MSG David Johnson, I like Together We Served (TWS) and have a profile there. However, I've discovered that RallyPoint and TWS are totally different animals. We're here on RP now and you can see what it does. To me, TWS is truly more of a "look back" site as it allows you to chronicle your service, and very accurately, I might add. It has a Reflections section, which allows you to speak of your service past in a free form manner. It also has a Sitrep (public message) feature and a private message feature. It also has a blog feature. Having said all that, it's simply not as interactive and does not promote the communications and connectivity as does RP. There are simply no discussions as there are here. BTW, you can "guest" from one service to another, so don't consider that a hindrance. TWS has an excellent volunteer team, and they've done a good job of eliminating posers, but some of those types will always slip through.
As far as the Shadow Box goes, it's only going to be as good as the profile you create. As for the man in the photo, I know him and he was one serious soldier.
The two sites are just different.

Response by SFC Aaron G. made Dec 22 at 2014 11:02 PM

SFC Aaron G. — Mon, 22 Dec 2014 23:02:49 -0500

I also have a profile on TWS. But did not like the interface. As everyone else has stated before, it seems to be more of a way to chronicle your military service than a place for social networking. RP is a lot more user friendly and interaction between users of all branches of service is definitely a plus! If I ever remember or reset my password for TWS, I sparingly go back and look at my profile. But, since I don't pay for the membership, it seems to be very limited in what you are allowed to do.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2014 7:13 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Dec 2014 07:13:46 -0500

I am a member but never use it. In my opinion RP is a much better site and has more for members. So I'm pretty bias now toward RP.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Feb 21 at 2015 6:57 AM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 06:57:56 -0500

I think RP is a MUCH better site for personal and professional interaction, but I do maintain a presence on the TWS-Marines site.

Response by PO2 Terri Myre made Feb 21 at 2015 2:26 PM

PO2 Terri Myre — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 14:26:45 -0500

Together We Served seemed like a great idea when it first formed. But it went no where quick. It's not as easy to connect with people as they would lead you to believe.

I personally love RP. All branches can connect with each other and we can get a better understanding of the issues each branch faces. It also gives us more insight into branches other than our own. RP is very interactive and we are able to tackle topics that affect us, our family members and our country. I don't think I'll ever go back to Together We Served especially since you have to pay to have full use of the site.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 28 at 2015 2:01 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Mar 2015 14:01:36 -0400

I'm a member, but not an active member. I have yet to be connected with anyone I served with. A lot of guys like me aren't really that interested in connecting. Who wants to rehash all the doom and gloom ? I have a buddy in Lufkin, Texas. We used to talk a lot, but then ran out of things to talk about. I think we realized we didn't have much in common except our military. I hardly ever get on TWS. I prefer RP where I can be myself and contribute to posts made.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2016 5:55 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Feb 2016 05:55:47 -0500

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member - I think you've hit the nail on the head when you drew focus to their shadowbox feature. I think that they great level of detail that TWS's web interface allows for individual's military records it the website's saving grace. It's nice to be able to check out old friends and battle buddies' pages and be able to get a detailed snapshot of what they've accomplished since you've served together.

Response by PO2 Rev. Frederick C. Mullis, AFI, CFM made Mar 11 at 2016 8:56 AM

PO2 Rev. Frederick C. Mullis, AFI, CFM — Fri, 11 Mar 2016 08:56:57 -0500

I am a Plank Owner and Life Member of Together We Served. I have also checked out RP. From my point of view You are comparing apples to oranges. OK yes both sites have similar attributes, but TWS is a networking site to re-connect with those we served with to ensure those friendships are not lost and to remember those who were lost and never came home by making Remembrance pages. Rally Point appeared to me geared more to those who were close to separation from active duty and looking for civilian employment and veterans looking for other employment. Both are equally useful but unique in their users.

Response by SPC Marcus DeMatos made May 27 at 2016 7:33 PM

SPC Marcus DeMatos — Fri, 27 May 2016 19:33:21 -0400

I am a life member. It isn't as active a site as Rally Point, for certain, but I believe that is partially driven by Rally Point using Facebook as an active portal to promote repeat visits. As a lifemember at TWS, I just need to contact one of the admin staff and they will grant me access to the other TWS sites. I believe the one advantage of TWS is documenting your military service.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made May 27 at 2016 7:51 PM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Fri, 27 May 2016 19:51:23 -0400

I had never heard of it until I saw this thread. However I had also never heard of RallyPoint until someone posted a link on my facebook page. Then I was hesitant to post here because everything that you post here is public for everyone to read.

Response by COL Sam Russell made Aug 25 at 2016 10:22 PM

COL Sam Russell — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 22:22:02 -0400

I think it is a great way to do memorials for brothers and sisters in arms that have passed away. Certainly not the same active media site that RP has become. I see utility in both forums.

http://army.togetherweserved.com/army/voices/2012/54/Russell_voices.html

Russell_voices.html

Response by Pvt Tim Sparks made Dec 18 at 2017 7:22 PM

Pvt Tim Sparks — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 19:22:17 -0500

My military service was thru the State mil. reserve for the State national guard. I dont know where I would fit in any of this site?

Response by Pvt Tim Sparks made Dec 18 at 2017 10:48 PM

Pvt Tim Sparks — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 22:48:40 -0500

TWS is a great site. Its not a everyday user friendly type site. Kind of memorialize ones service. I am going to work on getting my father in law to join it for his service.

Response by SCPO Morris Ramsey made Dec 28 at 2017 12:47 PM

SCPO Morris Ramsey — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 12:47:42 -0500

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member I have been a member a long time. I find better info here on RP

Response by PO2 Travis Branch made Feb 15 at 2019 3:47 PM

PO2 Travis Branch — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 15:47:24 -0500

The chief admins harassed me after I complained about someone calling me names on the forum. It turned out to be co-admin and so i got harassed. Screw that site

Response by CPO Diana Junco made Mar 14 at 2019 5:58 PM

CPO Diana Junco — Thu, 14 Mar 2019 17:58:08 -0400

I joined Together We Served in 2006 (approximately) and many years back I purchased a membership in order to support them and have access to added features. I have not used or logged on the site in years and last month I was automatically charged for the annual membership and the funds were automatically deducted from my bank account. I was upset and blindsided by the charge and contacted them to request my money back. Together We Served staff were condescending and ultimately refused to return my money. I have not used Together We Served in years and did not intend on using the services or membership. Together We Served hides behind a 'No Refund' Policy in order to protect themselves from having to return the money. I urge all military members (active/veteran) to reconsider providing their bank account information to Together We Served. It is a 'social media' site for the military that has become irrelevant. My interaction with them was very negative, which surprised me, since they claim to support the US military community. If you decide to join, do it with caution, as their customer service is awful!

Response by SCPO Dutch Dorpinghaus made Nov 6 at 2019 8:42 PM

SCPO Dutch Dorpinghaus — Wed, 06 Nov 2019 20:42:50 -0500

I have always been very leery of them, #1 They ask for information that they have no need to know and #2 their server was in a different country...

Response by Sgt Alex Graham made Apr 16 at 2020 3:02 PM

Sgt Alex Graham — Thu, 16 Apr 2020 15:02:13 -0400

I wrote these folks up eight years ago. https://asknod.org/2012/11/20/warning-on-togetherweserved/ Nothing has changed. Mr. Brian Foster, the "President", must be in high cotton for what he charges versus what they deliver. Several, either employees or volunteers, have come on my site to attack me over the years (see comments below post). I still regularly see negative press re their financial shenanigans to this day so it isn't a unique experience that has ceased.
That VA would partner with these folks is unconscionable. But then, as a VA-accredited litigator, nothing VA does amazes me anymore. Since the inception of the new Appeals Improvement Management Act, I find the VA has become even more arrogant, ignorant of their own adjudicatory regulations and rude in a subtly smug fashion.
Be safe and stay healthy.
G. A. Graham VA #39029
USAF/Air America 1969-1973 Vietnam/Laos 1970-1972

WARNING ON TOGETHERWESERVED

How about Together We Sever you from $19.95 a year (or until you find the cancel button). Just a little update on the website from one of our members. Apparently Togetherweserved has an interesting…

Response by SFC Monica Primus made Aug 24 at 2020 4:31 PM

SFC Monica Primus — Mon, 24 Aug 2020 16:31:44 -0400

I am a member of TWS and I prefer it to RP because I don't have to earn points to see content nor do I have to see advertising with the exception of a few static partner ads on the Home Tab. There are absolutely no ads anywhere else on the site, unlike here.

I also like the Reflections of the Day and the Lest We Forget features on their home tab that highlights an individual service member and a fallen/deceased service member.

They also have a multitude of forums from Jobs to Jokes to everything in between.
The only thing I kind of like on RP that is not currently a feature on TWS is the ability to connect across the various service branches, but that is something the TWS is actually working on.

In regards to the Shadow Box mentioned above, there are actually 3 different types. There is the standard one that is shown above, there is the Reflections Shadow box, and then there is the Timeline, although you can only order a print of the standard one at the moment. I have included an image of the top portions of all 3 of my virtual ones.