An Open Letter to the RallyPoint Community - Why are you here?

I joined RP hoping to keep up with goings on in the military. I hoped I could use my experience to possibly help current service members and especially those looking for jobs as they transitioned out of the military. I started out sharing my experiences as a manager in both the private and public sector on subjects such as resumes, cover letters, and applying for Government Jobs.

I saw a growth of questions regarding the 2016 election. At first I thought I would stay out of the political stuff, but the quantity of questions on the election drew me in. I enjoyed reading the posts from RP members on both side of the aisle. Most were respectful. As a political science major in college and a long-time conservative republican, I couldn't resist giving my opinion. I tried to always be respectful and never use only emotional appeals to reinforce my point of view. I take a similar approach with religious questions.

I am an unapologetic traditional Christian. I am respectful of RP members who are anti-religious or non-believers because I respect First Amendment free speech. I will argue against their point of view with logic, facts, and love as best I can. I doubt I will change anybody's world view because of my words on RP, but I think its important for Christians to hold their ground.

My chief concern is anonymous RP members. I don't understand why RP allows this type of member. I have many years experience with the military, some at the highest levels, and in Special Operations. I never met a military member for whom it was simultaneously a good idea to have a presence on social media and to shield their identity form the general public. If a service members is concerned his or her chain of command will take action against them for what they post on social media, then they need to rethink their postings. Possibly they should pursue appropriate complaints through their EO/EEO or IG. I just don't see the virtue in a Special Forces military member or an investigative service military member being on RP or FB, if they cannot expose their personal identity to the public. My limited experience with investigative services tends to indicate that they would use a fictional persona if they were using RP to further an investigation rather than being anonymous. I think RP should eliminate the anonymous membership.

I am here to connect with fellow brothers and sisters, mentor, and share information. I would like it if political posts were not allowed on RallyPoint.

Thanks for asking....I am here to share in the knowledge and experiences of the members of this site....I am not here to criticize, condemn, embarrass, or make posts that offend my brothers in the military.....I do hope that what we all do here is constructive and contributes to the greater good of all the members.....those that have motives other than what I have stated do not belong in my part of the world and they are not welcome!

I'm here because it's not the filth that's on Facebook.

Communication with other Vets and Military Retirees, on a wide variety of topics. RPs success as opposed to military dot com should be evidence your policies are far better. There are mant ways to avoid individual/s if one doesn't like the tenor or tone, that's what I do. Leave things as is and communicate with anyone that crosses the line.

Thanks for bringing this up. I used to be a very active member of RP, but a couple years ago, I noticed this issue beginning to build. That is when I became a much less active member. I get plenty of politics outside of FB.

Great question. For me I'm on RP to connect and interact with like minded individuals. As most of us know being in the military instills a different perspective towards just about everything. RP provides a way to filter out all the "noise" found on other social media sites. I do think that there has been a significant increase in political related questions/discussions but I pretty much just choose to ignore them and write most off as signs of the crazy election cycle we just went through. Frankly I look at discussing politics on RP the same as discussing politics at family holiday gatherings... don't do it. Perhaps some of the berating being seen is in fact due to our military backgrounds. So often we have to hold back on things for one reason or another while in the military. RP gives us a way to sort of anonymously vent and when that strikes a button on someone else they react without really realizing they're responding to a person, not an anonymous computer.

WOW, that was outstanding! I couldn't throw that again if I tried, hands down! Couldn't agree more and I myself is sick and tired of all the punches thrown by both parties, and I will have some integrity and say that I'm sure I have been guilty of it a time or two. It's gotten to be like that scene from the Pee Wee Herman movie where they keep going "I KNOW YOU ARE BUT WHAT AM I". So yes, people have a right to voice their opinion, but to attack a fellow veteran personally over his political views?!?! That's more screwed up than a Ray Charles coloring book in this Marine's opinion. I came here in the hope of reconnecting with my brothers from my days in the Marine Corps. Most have been found or what has become of them via FB. I still have two brothers that I was very close to that are MIA. Once getting on here and reading some of the blogs and how the different branches or different MOS, opinions vary I became very interested. And some of the replies from these veterans or service members can be just down right hilarious!!! And that's what I need these days is to smile and laugh at some of these subjects. Hopefully others will also. Thank you again for sharing this message, and again it was a good little "ass chewing" to those who need to put on their big boy/girl pants. Semper FI
BEARKAT

I am here, as a civilian, to listen to concerns of the community and to support the welcoming home and reintegration of those who have served.

SGT Ben Keen I am here as this site, like no others, is for us... the "damn few." I like to give back by answering questions and providing insight when I can. I owe the Army an amount I can never repay. I also like to post things and ask questions to see what others have to say, and have experienced. I do post political articles I find, as I read a lot on line, but try not to be too slanted. I am actually generally cynical. Hopefully, I am not part of the problem. I may disagree, so I either comment or say nothing. I never get personal, or insult anyone, nor do I try to pull rank. Heck I started as an E1, an many regards, I can't believe I was a luckily to achieve what I achieved. I hate personal attacks, which are prevalent in the world of social media and online. But, you would think, since we are the "damn few," it would not happen here. But, it does. I would recommend a revision of a time honored book. Think before you speak and act.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12176421-how-to-win-friends-and-influence-people-in-the-digital-age