Posted on Apr 28, 2018
Are you hiding in RallyPoint under an assumed service or rank because RP doesn't recognize your service?
2.94K
27
47
9
9
0
I would have to say that i'm basically disenamored with RallyPoint because it doesn't foster inclusiveness of all uniformed services. RallyPoint allows for only a portion of service members and excludes others that may actually contribute not only to our nation but are armed forces. I'm talking about the other forgotten services, USPHS and NOAA. We have USPHS officers on RallyPoint that have falsely register under other services they work with. Ask yourself who are the physicians in the Coast Guard? They aren't Coast Guard. What about that mental health provider in the Army with a different kind of uniform? That's not Navy. Who is helping the Navy with that climate change study effecting maritime operations? It's not a Navy scientist. Its NOAA. These fellow service members are either staying away from RallyPoint because they are second class veterans or hiding under assumed ranks. I haven't heard a good argument from RallyPoint as to why they wouldn't include them. But hey, I'm just a visitor here and have no real standing so I guess I can chose to take my comments elsewhere. So to all good luck and thank you for your service.
Posted in these groups: 
RallyPoint
Military service
RallyPoint Military service
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 10
COL (Join to see) You're right, of course. There are seven uniformed services. When I was training Fort Bragg gate guards, I advised them to be aware of officers from the USPHS and NOAA who should be saluted, but who may be in a uniform you don't recognize or that looks off a bit.
I think I can shed some light on the choice to exclude USPHS and NOAA from RP. According to the "About Us" page, https://www.rallypoint.com/about-us "RallyPoint was founded . . . to help make military life better. . . . RallyPoint connects its members and gives them the best tools possible to succeed both while in the military, and beyond. With RallyPoint, you can build out your professional network, connect with other members of the military and veterans in a safe environment, and explore career opportunities both within the military (PCS opportunities) and in the private sector." "MISSION:
To help all members of the military community lead more successful and fulfilling lives." "VISION:
The platform that digitally connects the military community, enabling a lifetime of support."
So you see, the scope of RP is the Military, not all seven Uniformed Services. Although that leads one to wonder why State Defense Forces are excluded, as they are also Military.
I think I can shed some light on the choice to exclude USPHS and NOAA from RP. According to the "About Us" page, https://www.rallypoint.com/about-us "RallyPoint was founded . . . to help make military life better. . . . RallyPoint connects its members and gives them the best tools possible to succeed both while in the military, and beyond. With RallyPoint, you can build out your professional network, connect with other members of the military and veterans in a safe environment, and explore career opportunities both within the military (PCS opportunities) and in the private sector." "MISSION:
To help all members of the military community lead more successful and fulfilling lives." "VISION:
The platform that digitally connects the military community, enabling a lifetime of support."
So you see, the scope of RP is the Military, not all seven Uniformed Services. Although that leads one to wonder why State Defense Forces are excluded, as they are also Military.
With RallyPoint, you can build out your professional network, connect with other members of the military in a safe environment, and explore career opportunities both within the military (PCS opportunities) as well as in the private sector.
(3)
(0)
SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA
COL (Join to see) - To me, inclusion of SDF members would make sense, because they have legal and constitutional status as military in the U.S., albeit State and not Federal.
(0)
(0)
COL (Join to see)
I guess, but if they can’t include all services I don’t see them even considering those militias.
(0)
(0)
SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA
COL (Join to see) - Militia are no more military than are USPHS and NOAA. SDFs on the other hand, are State militaries.
Constitutional Militia antedate the Constitution, but are incorporated into the framework of the Republic. Article 1, Section 8, Clauses 15 and 16; Article 2, Section 2, Clause 1; 2nd and 5th Amendments. They comprise basically everyone age 16 to 60. Militia are to be armed, organized, and trained, but members remain civilians. The Militia has been utterly and unlawfully neglected for over a century.
In contrast, State Defense Forces are authorized under Article 1, Section 10, Clause 3 by 32 U.S. Code § 109 subsection (c). More than 20 States have active SDFs, and members wear military uniforms closely matching those of Federal forces. Several even have weapons training.
Constitutional Militia antedate the Constitution, but are incorporated into the framework of the Republic. Article 1, Section 8, Clauses 15 and 16; Article 2, Section 2, Clause 1; 2nd and 5th Amendments. They comprise basically everyone age 16 to 60. Militia are to be armed, organized, and trained, but members remain civilians. The Militia has been utterly and unlawfully neglected for over a century.
In contrast, State Defense Forces are authorized under Article 1, Section 10, Clause 3 by 32 U.S. Code § 109 subsection (c). More than 20 States have active SDFs, and members wear military uniforms closely matching those of Federal forces. Several even have weapons training.
(0)
(0)
CDR Terry Boles
Uniformed service is now a total of 8 branches of service. Your ID card does not state Armed Service, it states Uniformed Service. PHS and NOAA are indeed part of the 8 Uniformed Services and as such are entitled to all pay, benefits, veteran status with VA disability, and retirement plus more. The PHS has deployed during wars such as WW-2 with officers on the Bataan Death March, assigned to Gen McArthur's staff; deployed to Korea, deployed medical teams to Vietnam, deployed embedded with army units in Iraq and Afghanistanand in support of the State Department missions. PHS officers provide direct medical care at MTFs, provide medical care aboard Coast Guard stations and ships, and sending more nurses to VA facilities. To say the PHS officers are not veterans or entitled to veterans status, military retirement etc. is simply inaccurate . Many PHS officers have served in other branches of service and offer good advice to many on RallyPoint. RallyPoint should embrace these officers.
RallyPoint should embrace these officers. It is PAST TIME to acknowledge these officers and give them full membership and recognition. As it stands, RallyPoint is discriminating against the 2 smallest Uniformed Services simply because they are not an armed service, yet their contributions in harms way is irrefutable.
https://www.va.gov/OSDBU/docs/Determining-Veteran-Status.pdf
RallyPoint should embrace these officers. It is PAST TIME to acknowledge these officers and give them full membership and recognition. As it stands, RallyPoint is discriminating against the 2 smallest Uniformed Services simply because they are not an armed service, yet their contributions in harms way is irrefutable.
https://www.va.gov/OSDBU/docs/Determining-Veteran-Status.pdf
(0)
(0)
3
3
0
I guess I never really gave that much thought. But I'm really a NASA Space Shuttle Door Gunner, pretending to be EOD. Not too many people are familiar with either one! LMAO
When I read your title I assumed you were talking about folks with incomplete Bios and/or no picture. I didn't know that (picture) was optional, BTW. I see Coasties on here. Like I said, I never thought about other government agencies.
When I read your title I assumed you were talking about folks with incomplete Bios and/or no picture. I didn't know that (picture) was optional, BTW. I see Coasties on here. Like I said, I never thought about other government agencies.
(3)
(0)
COL (Join to see)
Yes, for now. I'm thinking of what to serve at the promotion/restoration ceremony. I'm really sick of kimchi so that is out.
(1)
(0)
2
2
0
We have civilian supporters and family members on RP. It is hardly an exclusionary policy.
(2)
(0)
Maj John Bell
COL (Join to see) - Too late. You switched it on to me when you asked "Why are you so quick to say I'm suspect because my rank doesn't match up but willing to accept false service from other members of the community and don't call them out on it? I think perhaps you have the problem with cognitive dissonance."
What substantive difference did his service have to do with your chat? Did he in some way represent himself as more of a subject matter expert vis a vis USCG versus USPHS? Did his service have anything to do with the merits of his discourse?
What substantive difference did his service have to do with your chat? Did he in some way represent himself as more of a subject matter expert vis a vis USCG versus USPHS? Did his service have anything to do with the merits of his discourse?
(0)
(0)
COL (Join to see)
No that wasn't the issue. When I speak to someone about brown water operations and it turns out that they are PHS its just annoying. I wouldn't reach out to an Air Force person to discuss blue water maritime operations when they have more knowledge about blue skies than blue water. Upon further research I find this is a common situation for these other services I just put the question out there. Just a thought.
(0)
(0)
1SG (Join to see)
So, PVT/COL... which is it? I see you are no longer infantry and now cyber warfare. Are you having fun with your profile settings trying to troll the site?
(0)
(0)
Maj John Bell
COL (Join to see) - That certainly does not match up with your original pre-edited header on the post. None-the-less, RP does not restrict the community to participation in a thread based on their expertise, or their service.
In addition, if I were still on active duty, given the current emphasis on joint operations, I would personally welcome well thought out commentary from anyone, even those not in the one of the seven uniformed services. Sometimes we are so close to the issue that an outside perspective can stimulate some out of the box thinking.
In addition, if I were still on active duty, given the current emphasis on joint operations, I would personally welcome well thought out commentary from anyone, even those not in the one of the seven uniformed services. Sometimes we are so close to the issue that an outside perspective can stimulate some out of the box thinking.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google