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Vigilant about professional development, I joined RallyPoint (RP) after reading about it on Facebook while in South Korea. I was a new non-commissioned officer (NCO) and eager to improve myself. I'd already read FM 7-22.7 (The NCO Guide), FM 6-22 (Leadership), and about Signal Corps history. I read TM's for my equipment. I strove to remain technically and tactically proficient per the NCO Creed. But I wanted more. More for my professional development. More for my career as an IT specialist. More to share with others. Just more.
Even though I was an NCO, I only had two short-term mentors up to that point. I saw RallyPoint as a good substitute. It was. I suddenly had access to Leaders across all military branches and Veterans from each generation. I could discuss changes within the new AR and DA PAM 670-1. I could ask senior Leaders about lessons learned resulting in current SOP's. Most importantly later on, I could learn about transitioning into the civilian world from others who've already done it.
Twenty seconds into my latest single "2015 (Big Change Coming)" I said “Justice Outreach and SFL [Soldier For Life - Transition Assistance Program] were all that grounded me” regarding my transition. Following that analogy, RallyPoint was the plug providing mental energy to focus on what I discussed with those groups. To summarize how from my first RallyPoint Command Post “Why Service Members (Past, Present, and Future) Should Use RallyPoint" ( https://rly.pt/2XnUDkQ ) - a sense of community, networking opportunities, and Veterans resources and benefits information.
Even better, here's some notable examples. RP is the only place I've been able to have a civil conversation about controversial topics - e.g. racism, gun laws, LGBT, and Linux versus Windows. IT specialists advised me on certification programs and college projects. RallyPoint Command Post was the first platform I guest blogged. Most importantly, the community helps me with the military-to-civilian transition I still struggle with five years post-military.
RallyPoint isn't perfect. Like other social media and forum platforms, sometimes members spam, argue, and give empty responses. Unlike other platforms, RP is proactive with such issues without pushing a narrative to maintain a reputable resource for Veterans. They empower the community to do the same with a vote and flag system.
All of this adds to why I appreciate every time RallyPoint staff and moderators reach out to me regarding employment assistance and career goals. This is why I wear my RallyPoint shirt proudly, share RP threads with non-members, and talk about it whenever I can. But what I care about most - when I need any assistance, especially as a Veteran, this is my RallyPoint.
Now, RallyPoint is my Facebook, Twitter, and news source. The IT pros make RP my StackExchange. Finding the Suiting Warriors, Cry Havoc documentaries, and 1Vet2Another's here are my networking events. The recruiters, VA officials, and politicians make this my LinkedIn for Veterans. But what I care about most - when I need any assistance, especially as a Veteran, this is my RallyPoint.
Even though I was an NCO, I only had two short-term mentors up to that point. I saw RallyPoint as a good substitute. It was. I suddenly had access to Leaders across all military branches and Veterans from each generation. I could discuss changes within the new AR and DA PAM 670-1. I could ask senior Leaders about lessons learned resulting in current SOP's. Most importantly later on, I could learn about transitioning into the civilian world from others who've already done it.
Twenty seconds into my latest single "2015 (Big Change Coming)" I said “Justice Outreach and SFL [Soldier For Life - Transition Assistance Program] were all that grounded me” regarding my transition. Following that analogy, RallyPoint was the plug providing mental energy to focus on what I discussed with those groups. To summarize how from my first RallyPoint Command Post “Why Service Members (Past, Present, and Future) Should Use RallyPoint" ( https://rly.pt/2XnUDkQ ) - a sense of community, networking opportunities, and Veterans resources and benefits information.
Even better, here's some notable examples. RP is the only place I've been able to have a civil conversation about controversial topics - e.g. racism, gun laws, LGBT, and Linux versus Windows. IT specialists advised me on certification programs and college projects. RallyPoint Command Post was the first platform I guest blogged. Most importantly, the community helps me with the military-to-civilian transition I still struggle with five years post-military.
RallyPoint isn't perfect. Like other social media and forum platforms, sometimes members spam, argue, and give empty responses. Unlike other platforms, RP is proactive with such issues without pushing a narrative to maintain a reputable resource for Veterans. They empower the community to do the same with a vote and flag system.
All of this adds to why I appreciate every time RallyPoint staff and moderators reach out to me regarding employment assistance and career goals. This is why I wear my RallyPoint shirt proudly, share RP threads with non-members, and talk about it whenever I can. But what I care about most - when I need any assistance, especially as a Veteran, this is my RallyPoint.
Now, RallyPoint is my Facebook, Twitter, and news source. The IT pros make RP my StackExchange. Finding the Suiting Warriors, Cry Havoc documentaries, and 1Vet2Another's here are my networking events. The recruiters, VA officials, and politicians make this my LinkedIn for Veterans. But what I care about most - when I need any assistance, especially as a Veteran, this is my RallyPoint.
Professional Development
Transition
Music
RallyPoint
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 28
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SGT (Join to see) I wish more people would approach RP as you do. I've seen your posts and contributions, indeed what this was intended for. The RP trends that concern me:
- Crutch for the lazy, no attempt to research independently
- supplanting those first line leaders as sources of information and guidance. If you let them off the hook they don't grow either.
- enabling people's avoidance of a hard interpersonal conversation
- junior leaders with dangerously tangential understanding of systems and processes.
- spouses end-running their service member
- barracks lawyering for the internet age.
- enabling helicopter parenting beyond the DD Form 4
- no attempt to see what else has been posted on the same topic, literally the same day, before posting the same question.
- fake profiles, "asking for a friend", hypotheticals that aren't
- people pimping their commercial interests
- Crutch for the lazy, no attempt to research independently
- supplanting those first line leaders as sources of information and guidance. If you let them off the hook they don't grow either.
- enabling people's avoidance of a hard interpersonal conversation
- junior leaders with dangerously tangential understanding of systems and processes.
- spouses end-running their service member
- barracks lawyering for the internet age.
- enabling helicopter parenting beyond the DD Form 4
- no attempt to see what else has been posted on the same topic, literally the same day, before posting the same question.
- fake profiles, "asking for a friend", hypotheticals that aren't
- people pimping their commercial interests
(38)
(0)
SGT (Join to see)
"- supplanting those first line leaders as sources of information and guidance. If you let them off the hook they don't grow either."
Part of this is due to lack of trust in Leaders. There are advantages to doing your own research on a topic while leadership works on it.
"- people pimping their commercial interests"
This can be done in a positive way. Recruiters on RP who actually engage with the community instead of just linking to jobs make their company look good. The link spammer does the opposite. This blog markets my music while saying thanks to RP and it's effects on my life. Is it still "pimping" if the commercial interests are genuine?
Part of this is due to lack of trust in Leaders. There are advantages to doing your own research on a topic while leadership works on it.
"- people pimping their commercial interests"
This can be done in a positive way. Recruiters on RP who actually engage with the community instead of just linking to jobs make their company look good. The link spammer does the opposite. This blog markets my music while saying thanks to RP and it's effects on my life. Is it still "pimping" if the commercial interests are genuine?
(5)
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LTC Jason Mackay
SGT (Join to see) - the Recruiters for companies, I am not only OK with it, I wish more were on here and in greater diversity of fields. It's a failure to deploy area of RP.
I'm ok with people letting you know about a book or article they wrote ( suppose music would not be a drastic departure from the vein), after all it is a professional network. It's the pyramid schemes, that fake career coaching site from India posted by the "Navy Warrant Officer M1 mechanic" (actual fake profile that only got worse as it went), get rich quick websites, etc that bother me.
As for the avoidance of First Line Leaders, I agree with research in parallel, it's taking to the internet trolls to figure out how to wear your ASUs in an Airborne unit instead of just asking your first line (example) that bothers me. Counter point: A trend I see emerging is Combat arms units with females not knowing how to do a pregnancy chapter or a family care plan.
I'm ok with people letting you know about a book or article they wrote ( suppose music would not be a drastic departure from the vein), after all it is a professional network. It's the pyramid schemes, that fake career coaching site from India posted by the "Navy Warrant Officer M1 mechanic" (actual fake profile that only got worse as it went), get rich quick websites, etc that bother me.
As for the avoidance of First Line Leaders, I agree with research in parallel, it's taking to the internet trolls to figure out how to wear your ASUs in an Airborne unit instead of just asking your first line (example) that bothers me. Counter point: A trend I see emerging is Combat arms units with females not knowing how to do a pregnancy chapter or a family care plan.
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SGT (Join to see)
LTC Jason Mackay - Regarding first lines, you have to realize how many issues senior Leaders aren't aware of (until later if ever) because a subordinate leader ignored or misled someone. I've been there. It's part of why RP exists and actually helps keep others accountable. It's a double-edged sword but a necessary evil.
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You are a consummate professional! I always enjoy your posts, even when I don't understand them. I am still learning basis computer skills. Lol! Seriously, thank you for your service and friendahip!
(30)
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SGT (Join to see)
Cpl Benjamin Long - I am already a professional educator. I was making a joke about how fast technology changes.
(3)
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