Posted on Feb 24, 2017
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Over the past few months I, along with several other User Admins, have been hit with complaints about people's behavior. Most of these reports come out of people acting disrespectfully towards another normally centered around a political post. Every day, countless posts from both sides of the political line are posted. I was hoping that after the election was over and people settled back into their routines these posts would start to dwindle in number but sadly, that isn't the case. In fact, I think people's reactions only made people want to share more. Other social media sites are covered as well but here I think it's different.
I understand that for many of you, this is your one stop shop for social media actives. And I understand that you have the right to voice your thoughts and concerns but what I don't get and what I will not tolerate is the name calling and personal attacks. I think for some of you, you are so wrapped up on what others have said or done that you yourself are losing touch with reality. Rather than finding a healthy way to express your feelings you are just so hyper-focus that it's causing damage to yourself. Some of the actions I've seen here are simply not healthy.
When RallyPoint first started. it was started to a place where service members and veterans can come to get connected with others and get answers to their questions. Now, with over 1.1 million members we are still that place but have this dirty shadow following us.
So the question I have for you, as one of the original members and as one of the Senior User Admins of this site; why are you here? Are you here to connect with your brothers and sisters-in-arms and to help provide meaningful answers to questions or are you here in some effort to spread your ideals onto others? Why do some of you feel the need to attack others just based on the fact that they voted for someone different? When will you pause and step away to realize that no one person can make American great again, to do that takes all of us. It takes all of us to come together, support the powers to be and hold them accountable as a collective body.
I understand that for many of you, this is your one stop shop for social media actives. And I understand that you have the right to voice your thoughts and concerns but what I don't get and what I will not tolerate is the name calling and personal attacks. I think for some of you, you are so wrapped up on what others have said or done that you yourself are losing touch with reality. Rather than finding a healthy way to express your feelings you are just so hyper-focus that it's causing damage to yourself. Some of the actions I've seen here are simply not healthy.
When RallyPoint first started. it was started to a place where service members and veterans can come to get connected with others and get answers to their questions. Now, with over 1.1 million members we are still that place but have this dirty shadow following us.
So the question I have for you, as one of the original members and as one of the Senior User Admins of this site; why are you here? Are you here to connect with your brothers and sisters-in-arms and to help provide meaningful answers to questions or are you here in some effort to spread your ideals onto others? Why do some of you feel the need to attack others just based on the fact that they voted for someone different? When will you pause and step away to realize that no one person can make American great again, to do that takes all of us. It takes all of us to come together, support the powers to be and hold them accountable as a collective body.
Posted in these groups: 
RallyPoint
RallyPoint
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 240
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RallyPoint should be one place gentlemen can agree to disagree. Supposedly we are all brothers and sisters in arms who share a common yet different experience. Respect the right of others to express an opinion which might differ from yours, and enjoy Rally Point as a site where we can find common ground as well as seek answers to our questions.
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I stumbled on RP purely by accident but stayed because of many of the same reasons as others have - being able to talk with fellow veterans and to sometimes be able to pass on some of the wisdom I have gained in 60 plus years of life - additionally, I teach leadership and related courses as a university professor and maybe I can help guide or mentor some of our younger members and help those nearing the end of their service make the transition (if needed). I enjoy the topics and discussions and can overlook some of the more negative things, it seems that is a product of the times we live in and the ability to do such things in a basically anonymous and hidden manner, its not right, its not pretty but its what it is. I just pass by the more viral things in any social media and sometimes I use it for discussion material in classes I teach. I see everything as a teachable moment, a place we can learn from. I got involved in Facebook as a way to keep up with my kids when they were away at school and stayed to keep up with old friends (those who were never in the military) and it became a way to keep up with students after they graduated and moved on. RP, LinkedIn and Facebook all serve a purpose and sometimes we have to deal with the garbage along with the good stuff. I will continue to look at RP, occasionally chime in, and start things when I can when time permits. I just hope that we all can learn from these kinds of things and understand that even when we are anonymous, hidden behind a screen those on the other side of the comments do feel them. So, hang tough guys (that's a generic thing) and try not to let it get to you. there is far more positive being part of this site than there is negative.
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The first time I came upon Rally Point, I saw a few questions about military service/procedures/ranks etc. After reading a few of the comments, I felt and hope I could add some additional insight that I did not see in any comments. Since that time, Col. Mikel Burroughs' "Quote Of The Day" and other questions have inspired me to submit my own opinions. In doing so, not only have I learned to really think about what is said, but have actually changed some of my thinking due to opinion of others. Finally, the majority of members are military, therefore can relate to many subjects which a civilian cannot. The feeling of Brotherhood has grown to tremendous heights.
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To paraphrase President Clinton THAT WOULD DEPEND ON WHAT YOUR DEFINITION OF HERE IS
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I joined this group initially to benefit my step-son who has just entered the Navy. I have offered him as much advice as I can, based on my experiences many years ago, to make his tour as rewarding and enjoyable as possible. As I learn more about what he is doing I realize there have been many changes in how the navy does things that I am not aware of. The core principles and basic expectations are still there but much of the technical and logistical systems have advanced quite a bit since I served. So I'm hear to Listen (read) and learn from those of you who may be more up to date on current issues and requirements so that I might help him be successful.
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Im guilty of this as well, I try to be respectful as often as I can and hopefully the people Ive disagreed with can attest to that. Unfortunately sometimes Im not so great at it and can clap back at folks with the justification that Im simply returning fire even though it doesn't really make it better.
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Make connections. Should be zero conflict between members, we are all "proud" of our particular branches, but should band together as brothers & sisters in arms always. We are our best when we have one goal as I witnessed in Desert Shield/Storm, and as one who went through Mt. Pinatubo evacuation.
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I am here to add my perspective. I don't know if anyone has ever from actions in this blog walked into a VA center and solved someones problems for them. If you are a problem solver, let me be the first to thank you. We need more people like you.
I am also blessed to be here as I have had several extreme chances to give my life for my country. I would gladly have done just that. But God had seen it grateful enough to save my life. I now live everyday in his name.
I do not know anybody that deliberately became verbally abusive to me on these posts. But this is like a large family. People will have differing views. Some of at opposite ends of the spectrum. The only thing I can say is that you will never change anybody views of politics and religion here in this forum. And to down grade somebody's view of their politics and religion is just the opposite of what you want to do to effect change.
Pacifist: This is something Jesus was not. When Jesus went on a rampage through his Father's house tipping over money changer's tables and over stuff. Now is a good time to look in the Bible and see exactly what Jesus did in his Father's house. The person that believed in the Pacifism of Jesus Christ now will have to resolve a conflict. The methods Jesus used was not very Pacifistic.
But then again, talking about a 2,000 year old man and pinning all the problems on Earth on him isn't very sporting either.
I am also blessed to be here as I have had several extreme chances to give my life for my country. I would gladly have done just that. But God had seen it grateful enough to save my life. I now live everyday in his name.
I do not know anybody that deliberately became verbally abusive to me on these posts. But this is like a large family. People will have differing views. Some of at opposite ends of the spectrum. The only thing I can say is that you will never change anybody views of politics and religion here in this forum. And to down grade somebody's view of their politics and religion is just the opposite of what you want to do to effect change.
Pacifist: This is something Jesus was not. When Jesus went on a rampage through his Father's house tipping over money changer's tables and over stuff. Now is a good time to look in the Bible and see exactly what Jesus did in his Father's house. The person that believed in the Pacifism of Jesus Christ now will have to resolve a conflict. The methods Jesus used was not very Pacifistic.
But then again, talking about a 2,000 year old man and pinning all the problems on Earth on him isn't very sporting either.
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I'm here because when I saw this webpage float across my computer screen I thought I might have a chance to find a familiar name with whom I shared some of my Army time. I haven't yet found anyone I knew but I will still peruse.
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I am here to join in and learn from meaningful discussions with the Military Community. I would, however, like to comment and thank SGT Ben Keen for his post. Whether I agree or disagree with the outcome of an election I will not have a discussion with anyone outside my family (sometimes not even them) because in this day and age with all the social media, people feel it's okay to speak up and say whatever is on their mind nice or not and sometimes not even accurate. Your post hit the nail on the head. Thank you!
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