What drew you to join RallyPoint and what keeps you here? How many of the first 1,000 members are still here?

2015-06-05T13:38:39-04:00

I received a couple invitations to join RallyPoint last year but didn't act on it until this year. I joined based on an invitation and have stayed because of the on-line friendships and communications. Sometimes I agree with posts and sometimes I don't; but, I have been favorably impressed with the respect that RallyPoint members usually display for each other and the quality of the discussions.
Does anybody know what happens when a person leaves RallyPoint? I expect their member number is "retired."
The easiest way to find your member number is on your profile page - the URL at the top includes RallyPoint member number -- military specialty.
[2015-07-10 Update - MAJ Yinon Weiss provided the link for each of us to see our own influence score - http://www.rallypoint.com/influence
Background: RallyPoint launched in beta mode on Veterans Day, in November 2012. It opened up to all service members and veterans on Memorial Day, in May 2013.
SGT Private RallyPoint Member SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA CPT L S CH (MAJ) William Beaver GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad CW5 Private RallyPoint Member SSG John Erny, 1SG Michael Blount SGT Private RallyPoint Member LTC Stephen C. SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas

The Professional Military Network | RallyPoint

Find service members and veterans like you, discuss military life, and share professional opportunities on the largest military network.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 1:41 PM

2015-06-05T13:41:01-04:00

I have no Idea which number I am but I joined because of all the knowledge from other SM it offered me. So far I've received a lot of great advices here, and it opens my view outside my unit. Not always my leaders are right so is good to have another POV LTC Stephen F.

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made Jun 5 at 2015 1:41 PM

2015-06-05T13:41:24-04:00

By another member

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 1:42 PM

2015-06-05T13:42:56-04:00

I am just guessing here....

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Jun 5 at 2015 1:55 PM

2015-06-05T13:55:11-04:00

Proudly holding the #607. I came on right after LTC Yinon Weiss & CPT Aaron Kletzing. It's been amazing to see us grow close to 700K members in just a couple of years!

Response by 1LT Nick Kidwell made Jun 5 at 2015 2:01 PM

2015-06-05T14:01:21-04:00

Frankly, I get sick of talking with civilians and need to talk to veterans and service members.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 2:07 PM

2015-06-05T14:07:02-04:00

#667 here

I received an invitation and thought it would be a good idea to sign up.

Mostly I stay because I like offering the occasional bit of advice from an old Soldiers point of view and I can say things that an Active Duty SM can't.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 2:21 PM

2015-06-05T14:21:29-04:00

Networking and Helping other great Veterans in securing employment opportunities. I am here to assist as much as I can. Let's connect and learn about and each and I will hopefully be able to help you from there!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 2:24 PM

2015-06-05T14:24:21-04:00

LOL, How do I know what my Member Number is? I am #1 in my book ;)

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 3:13 PM

2015-06-05T15:13:06-04:00

Started when I went to the guard, and left because I guess I just forgot about it. I didn't feel very engaged.

Now I frequent the site almost every day. I enjoy hearing the perspective of SMs and fellow veterans. Communication is so stifled in a strictly professional environment. Here, we can reach across ranks and across posts to help each other out.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 5 at 2015 4:09 PM

2015-06-05T16:09:23-04:00

SFC Mark Merino's will be the first to be retired when hits a gajillion! LOL!!

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 5 at 2015 4:13 PM

2015-06-05T16:13:02-04:00

I'm in the over 200K crowd.

The being with military folks who know the drill, did the ruck march and just "get it" is what got me in the door and has kept me here. It's so true that, "There's damn few of us left" Everyone around me save for fellow vets doesn't know where I'm coming from sometimes (not that I do all the time either) to include friends I've had since middle school.

Response by SGT Anthony Bussing made Jun 5 at 2015 4:31 PM

2015-06-05T16:31:41-04:00

100469-sgt-anthony-bussing...I joined sometime back in 2013, I think....somehow it popped up on my facebook again a while back....thought id give it the once over....

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 7:28 PM

2015-06-05T19:28:00-04:00

I was drawn to RallyPoint as a way to connect with fellow service members for advice, support, and guidance.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Jun 5 at 2015 10:33 PM

2015-06-05T22:33:27-04:00

My number is 298997. I've been here right around a year. I actually don't remember what drew me here. I think I found it by chance, but it sure didn't take long before I was hooked! I've actually found that RP fills a void that I'm not sure I even knew was there. I really missed the Military community, so it gives me a renewed connection.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Jun 5 at 2015 10:44 PM

2015-06-05T22:44:51-04:00

Simply, as a Veteran and camaraderie of Veterans world-wide!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 11:16 PM

2015-06-05T23:16:07-04:00

I keep looking and refreshing and the only URL I see up there is: http://www.rallypoint.com/join/sfc-jerilyn-mcconchie. No number, but I do know that I have seen that number in the past. Not sure why it won't let me see it now. Just guessing at my number to respond.

Response by SGT LeTerrence Johnson made Jun 6 at 2015 12:08 AM

2015-06-06T00:08:51-04:00

I kept seeing RP on my Facebook page and I liked the information that was being put out. This is very resourceful and you learn from other vets who are willing to share information on any and everything.

Response by LTC Jason Strickland made Jun 6 at 2015 8:00 AM

2015-06-06T08:00:16-04:00

Member #111137. I have no idea how I got here on RallyPoint...same holds true for most of my life!

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jun 8 at 2015 9:20 AM

2015-06-08T09:20:08-04:00

A desire to learn and expand my perspective. A desire to conitnue to assist others.

Response by A1C Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2015 10:00 AM

2015-06-08T10:00:47-04:00

Sir, I found this site through Facebook, it provides a tremendous amont of information for me. I'm still green behind the ears as a upcoming Airmen. I have my BMT date and I read the posts to better my knowledge of the big topics in the military, and I pay attention to what you veterans and more experienced service members discuss. That's why I have the rallypoint app on my phone. I appreciate everyone's input.

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2015 10:05 AM

2015-06-08T10:05:57-04:00

Was scrolling through facebook one day and someone shared a rally point discussion that i thought was interesting so i checked it out, wanted to comment but i needed an account so i made an account and stayed because of the interesting posts, the experience (lot of stuff i learned here that will help me down the line) and the respect given from one to another. It's not like Facebook where everything is drama. Much better here.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jun 8 at 2015 10:42 AM

2015-06-08T10:42:50-04:00

Not sure what my member number is...or where to find it?

In truth, I am not sure how I ended up here...and some days my blood pressure would be much better if I had never found the site but I do love the interaction with 90% or the people here...maybe more...but there are always a couple. Also, hey guys, I do actually like to interject humor so if you are about to get upset, reread and consider it as a joke and then if you are still going to get upset, 'Juck you if you can't take a foke.'

Response by TSgt Kenneth Ellis made Jun 8 at 2015 11:00 AM

2015-06-08T11:00:28-04:00

From the strangest place. Dana Perino on the five. She did it as her one more thing. I've only been a member for a few weeks. But I have not seen any post blasted with FU and calling people who disagree with them racist. Everyone is respectfull and makes there arguments.

Response by SA Harold Hansmann made Jun 8 at 2015 11:00 AM

2015-06-08T11:00:34-04:00

Saw a post in Facebook from my nephew & decided to check it out.
Y'all are what keeps me here.

Response by SSG James Arlington made Jun 8 at 2015 11:07 AM

2015-06-08T11:07:14-04:00

Agree. Interesting discussions. I hope everyone maintains decorum and refrains from name calling. Our founding fathers vehemently disagreed, yet "compromised" to get it done!

Response by COL Ted Mc made Jun 8 at 2015 1:17 PM

2015-06-08T13:17:05-04:00

Stumbled across it.

Like the idea of being able to exchange views up and down the food chain.

As I did during my career, I have found that there are some Privates who really ought to be officers and some officers who really ought ...

I think that it's pretty obvious that there are a few around here whose ankles I really enjoy kicking (and they seem to enjoy kicking mine in advance/return). But, if you read the exchanges closely, you will find that each side is ACTUALLY LISTENING to the other. This is the difference between "debate" and "propaganda".

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2015 1:59 PM

2015-06-08T13:59:30-04:00

I'm 38,789. I have been around a while but not in the first year or so. When I came it wasn't this busy but it is awesome to see it grow like this.

Response by SGT Aaron Barbee made Jun 8 at 2015 2:04 PM

2015-06-08T14:04:51-04:00

I joined up to check it out. Ended up being a good decision and it's nice to see topics and opinions discussed professionally/respectfully (mostly). I really enjoy reading/participating in discussions and seeing everyone interact and share knowledge.

Response by CW4 Abdulaziz Bulling made Jun 8 at 2015 4:21 PM

2015-06-08T16:21:41-04:00

My son an active duty paratrooper with the 173 rd introduced me. I stayed because after 26+ years in the Army, I like to provide some insight that might be ov value to my fellow vets.

Response by SGT Felicia King made Jun 9 at 2015 12:10 AM

2015-06-09T00:10:11-04:00

Saw it on Facebook newsfeed and thought it was for veterans employment network. Figured out later it's just social network, but with veterans and service members. Pretty cool how it verifies your service though. Sometimes I don't read all the way through, but I like reading the discussions every now and again. Facebook is for pictures and communicating with my family. I enjoy making family calendars for Christmas gifts. Which reminds me I have to get started on one for next year .....

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2015 7:04 AM

2015-06-09T07:04:37-04:00

I've not the foggiest what my RP number is or even where to find it. But I enjoy the discussions generally speaking and having access to a wealth of knowledge that is actually reliable. Sometimes I get irked by posts and comments so I take a break and then pop on a week later....if I didn't I may never discover if a 2LT is supposed to salute a 1LT (j/k)

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Jun 9 at 2015 11:38 AM

2015-06-09T11:38:43-04:00

As someone who has recently had a successful transition, I'm here to help other veterans in the transition stage.

Response by SPC Samantha Greenlee made Jun 9 at 2015 2:14 PM

2015-06-09T14:14:33-04:00

I just found this place and I love it. Its like Facebook for military. I like to share my opinion with others, my opinion that I couldn’t share as a specialist in the army and I can do that here. I am actually a smart person with good ideas that I think should be heard :-)

Response by SGT Forrest Stewart made Jun 9 at 2015 2:41 PM

2015-06-09T14:41:54-04:00

I saw an invitation on FB. It took me a bit to get my profile straightened out, but got it done. It's been, shall we say, interesting.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2015 8:20 PM

2015-06-09T20:20:51-04:00

I was side tracked here by Air Force Times but this site seems to be overran and controlled by Army folks. ijs

Response by SPC William Weedman made Jun 10 at 2015 2:28 AM

2015-06-10T02:28:07-04:00

300,000+ for me. I like the fact that as far as I can tell it is strictly veterans only, so everyone here has "Been there, done that" and can understand my perspective. It's also nice to be able to speak my mind since I am no longer in the military & pass on my experience to perhaps help an active veteran or a reservist still serving.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 10 at 2015 2:42 AM

2015-06-10T02:42:32-04:00

What drew me to Rally Point was Facebook. A lot of my friends "share" their RP posts and it got me interested in a more military specific social networking site than what FB offers. Yes there's Togetherweserved.com, which I am a member of, but that site has turned into a bunch of old timers ranting "This isn't my Navy anymore!!!"

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jun 10 at 2015 8:32 PM

2015-06-10T20:32:00-04:00

Well, LTC Stephen F., I never knew I had a number (67,210) until this discussion thread! Thanks! I joined on 20AUG13, but only became truly an active participant in 4th quarter of 2014. 1LT Sandy Annala prompted me to become a more engaged and participatory RP member.
I enjoy the discussion threads. I'm able to stay engaged in the military culture and stay "current" even, to a certain extent.
Clearly, the opportunity to meet, know, contribute, converse with and learn from so many others of all the service branches, and of all ranks, ages, educational backgrounds and experiences, has become the reason to continue to participate.

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Jun 10 at 2015 8:39 PM

2015-06-10T20:39:59-04:00

Not sure what my number is - don't care. I find a bunch of kindred spirits here that has no equal anywhere else

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2015 9:14 PM

2015-06-10T21:14:57-04:00

I can't communicate very well with strangers and civilians. I started looking for a professional military site. I accidentally stumbled on to RP, while surfing the web. I read the info about RP, and decided to give it a shot. I have not been disappointed. It has lived up to my expectations. I hit a few bumps in the road at first, with my temper and mouth. I soon learned to blow off those rude and uneducated jackasses. I'm happy with the star I received. I didn't expect to get that involved. I've met some awesome members here who have helped me along. Thank God they have patients and didn't write me off. Thanks to everyone who endorsed me and all of my contacts who accepted my invites. A funny thing happened a few weeks ago. I had tagged some members to connect with me. All of them accepted my invitation. I got a message from one of them asking me if we knew each other. I told him I don't believe so. He said he can't be a contact because he doesn't trust anyone except for the folks he served with. I wrote him back and told him it's his choice, have a nice life. He's still on my contacts list. I've wondered why he accepted my invitation if he knew he didn't know me. Oddball.

Response by SPC Nathan Freeman made Jun 11 at 2015 7:15 AM

2015-06-11T07:15:09-04:00

Elvis came in an alien vessel and made me do it.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Jun 11 at 2015 9:38 AM

2015-06-11T09:38:11-04:00

Comaraderie!

Response by SSG Donald Mceuen made Jun 11 at 2015 10:32 AM

2015-06-11T10:32:39-04:00

I have been looking for the troops i was in the desert with.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Jun 11 at 2015 10:48 AM

2015-06-11T10:48:40-04:00

71,681 is my member number if I read it correctly.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Jun 11 at 2015 4:36 PM

2015-06-11T16:36:32-04:00

I am #1186.

Response by MAJ Bill Maynard made Jun 11 at 2015 6:49 PM

2015-06-11T18:49:32-04:00

Why would anyone leave Rally Point???

Response by PV2 Glen Lewis made Jun 12 at 2015 1:10 AM

2015-06-12T01:10:25-04:00

I joined RallyPoint because I thought I might be able to impart that while I was only in the Army a short time it changed my viewpoints on life. I wasn't much of a person of value when I entered the Army, in fact I would probably be dead or in prison if it weren't for the changes the Service made in my outlook on myself and others. The Army gave me a chance and I believe I made use of it.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2015 10:26 AM

2015-06-12T10:26:37-04:00

Truthfully, well I kept seeing all these discussions popping up in my Facebook news feed from fellow service members liking or commenting on the Facebook thread. At first I would start commenting on the Facebook post but then I quickly learned that quite frankly I didn't give two $@!&$ about some civilian's opinion on a topic completely unrelated to them. I wanted to share my opinion with those that understood and that it directly influenced. The reason it took me so long to join is that I was a little leery of joining a community that just "anyone" can create an account, be unverified and still see/respond to discussions. However, now I have found myself quite addicted. :)

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2015 1:43 PM

2015-06-12T13:43:09-04:00

kept seeing cool discussions on the AF Times and then I decided I needed to be a part of it all and the good discussions and interaction with others than just USAF, and Civilian/contractors has kept me experiences from across the board can only make us better

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 13 at 2015 12:33 PM

2015-06-13T12:33:26-04:00

Because the topics in RP are interesting to me.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 19 at 2015 11:28 AM

2015-10-19T11:28:01-04:00

I am here because it is something to participate in. This is a good place to tap into institutional knowledge, passions, pains, the military experience.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2016 12:52 PM

2016-01-05T12:52:58-05:00

LTC Stephen Ford invited me

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2016 11:58 AM

2016-01-07T11:58:13-05:00

1979 for me

And related to another thread, I am just here to pick up women.