Why do you accept, ignore or reject requests for connections?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Jan 2016 11:32:07 -0500

I'm curious as to the reasons people accept, ignore or decline a request for a connection. Do you have criteria the individual must meet? If so, what are your criteria?
Are any of the following involved in your decision?
Picture
MOS
Connections
Recommendations
Experience
Gender
Rank
Verified member
Unit

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jan 10 at 2016 11:34 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Sun, 10 Jan 2016 11:34:30 -0500

I always accept requests for connection CPT Private RallyPoint Member.
I accept out of respect for anybody who wants to connect with me. One of the things I appreciate about RallyPoint and the VA is that they are both oblivious to our rank. A 4-star flag officer and a PVT or civilian supporter has equal standing here.

Response by SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT made Jan 10 at 2016 11:43 AM

SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT — Sun, 10 Jan 2016 11:43:20 -0500

I accept all requests from military with pictures. Personally not interested in being recruited.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2016 11:48 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Jan 2016 11:48:13 -0500

I think I have accepted every request.

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Jan 10 at 2016 12:06 PM

SSgt Terry P. — Sun, 10 Jan 2016 12:06:25 -0500

CPT Private RallyPoint Member i accept almost everyone,but don't send request to everyone.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2016 12:30 PM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Jan 2016 12:30:28 -0500

I accept anyone provided that they are confirmed/verified and have a picture.

I denied once since the person also messaged me and it was clear that his intent was rudely less-than-professional.

Response by CPL Jay Strickland made Jan 10 at 2016 1:25 PM

CPL Jay Strickland — Sun, 10 Jan 2016 13:25:32 -0500

I reject request where I suspect the profile is fake, or I get the impression it will only be sued to sell me something.

Response by SPC Candace Leach made Jan 10 at 2016 1:27 PM

SPC Candace Leach — Sun, 10 Jan 2016 13:27:04 -0500

I accept any profiles that are confirmed/verified and have a photo on their profile.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jan 10 at 2016 1:56 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Sun, 10 Jan 2016 13:56:47 -0500

I always accept them. I only wish I understood them. Maybe then I would request them.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Jan 10 at 2016 3:01 PM

SFC Stephen King — Sun, 10 Jan 2016 15:01:44 -0500

CPT Private RallyPoint Member I accept. I like the different perspectives, branches andideologies

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2016 3:08 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Jan 2016 15:08:54 -0500

Generally I accept most all enforcements. If they don't have a picture, but they do have a"V", I'll accept the invitation. If they have no bio and no "V", I'll not accept it. It doesn't mean I think I'm better than that person, but I can't understand what they are hiding. I was accepted as a connection from a guy a while back. Then he wrote and asked if we knew each other. When I told him no, he said he didn't want to connect with anybody he did serve with. I replied, whatever floats your boat.

Response by PO2 Jeffery Marcussen Sr made Jan 10 at 2016 3:25 PM

PO2 Jeffery Marcussen Sr — Sun, 10 Jan 2016 15:25:47 -0500

unless i find the person is a total jerk i accept any and all contacts. i am honored to connect with anyone who has honorably served this country.

Response by MAJ Jim Woods made Jan 10 at 2016 5:09 PM

MAJ Jim Woods — Sun, 10 Jan 2016 17:09:15 -0500

At my age I need all the friends I can get cause' others are going to the big RP in the sky.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2016 5:33 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Jan 2016 17:33:16 -0500

I think the only reason I would decline would be if the member was here solely for the purpose of "Sales and Marketing" of their product or services.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Jan 10 at 2016 6:20 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Sun, 10 Jan 2016 18:20:43 -0500

I would have to say that I accept people mainly on their accomplishments. Then rank enters in.
Then their connections; then their recommendations.
There are decided variances from the above.
I would also definitely save a profile photo is mandatory; for me.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jan 10 at 2016 6:20 PM

PO1 John Miller — Sun, 10 Jan 2016 18:20:49 -0500

Like SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" I accept almost everybody. I do reject (and report) fake profiles (like the 26 year old Russian "Lieutenant General" a few weeks ago). I will accept unverified profiles if they seem legitimate to me.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Jan 10 at 2016 6:53 PM

SMSgt Thor Merich — Sun, 10 Jan 2016 18:53:22 -0500

So far, I have accepted everyone. Not that I had that many. But I always check the profiles and am suspicious if they have little or no information. I don't know if I would accept someone without a picture, even though one could always fake a picture.

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jan 10 at 2016 7:23 PM

LTC Bink Romanick — Sun, 10 Jan 2016 19:23:20 -0500

CPT Private RallyPoint Member I accept all who request, why not?

Response by Robert Cipriano made Jan 10 at 2016 8:50 PM

Robert Cipriano — Sun, 10 Jan 2016 20:50:37 -0500

I accept almost everyone. I never know when that one person is in some crisis and might just need to communicate. I am a civilian but a civilian that respects all branches of the military and who tries to help veterans in my daily walk.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2016 10:59 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Jan 2016 22:59:15 -0500

I really let most add me to LinkedIN. Though I will delete them if they are not what I am looking for in a connection. A lot of times they are some sort of recruiters. I have been informally ask to look into some opportunities for employment but nothing worth a serious consideration.

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Jan 11 at 2016 5:54 AM

SrA Matthew Knight — Mon, 11 Jan 2016 05:54:20 -0500

With the exception of people I directly know being verified is a must, preferably with a picture. I pretty much accept any of what I refer to as RP's "Frequent Flyers" who are the people you see posting in most discussions and are very active here.

The only people I decline are those who I don't get along with or those who I am not sure are legitimate members. Mainly those odd accounts that popped up a month ago that were mass connecting with people without actually requesting connections. I removed and blocked every one of them that were added to my connections.

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Jan 11 at 2016 8:17 AM

SSgt Jim Gilmore — Mon, 11 Jan 2016 08:17:57 -0500

I accept all requests. When it comes down to brass tacks, those of us who served, regardless of branch, share a bond that no other person alive can understand. We lived together, ate together, fought, bled and wore the uniform together. Few others can relate to that bond. Even in post military life we rib the hell out of each other for being in another branch (Wingnut, Dogface, Jarhead, Swabbie, Coastie). We will drop all and go running for a brother or sister in need of our assistance.

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Jan 11 at 2016 11:52 AM

SSG Audwin Scott — Mon, 11 Jan 2016 11:52:40 -0500

I accept everyone.

Response by Sarah White made Jan 14 at 2016 2:40 PM

Sarah White — Thu, 14 Jan 2016 14:40:46 -0500

I am not a "connections collector", but I do try to accept those that are seeking advice or just comradeship.

Response by SSG Eddye Royal made Feb 14 at 2018 11:33 AM

SSG Eddye Royal — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 11:33:16 -0500

CPT Michelle C., Mam; with position and work I do; and cybercrime and hacking on the rise, if it does not have a basic picture, and I can not find the individual on LinkedIn then normally I do not accept the person because of people I am connected with. This not only for my protection but for the others.