Do you all think using "four letter words" here on RP or on other social media ok to do?

SSG Brian MacBain — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 08:08:47 -0500

I notice this increasing on RP and feel that is lack of Professionalism, immaturity and not needed here on RP IMHO.

Response by SP5 Mark Kuzinski made Feb 29 at 2016 8:18 AM

SP5 Mark Kuzinski — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 08:18:21 -0500

No way!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 29 at 2016 8:21 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 08:21:37 -0500

SSG Brian MacBain We should be careful about what we post and remember the "multiplication factor" information distribution effect of the internet. What you post to ONE person can go viral giving it a very large audience. So no cursing is not necessary to make anyone's point and can hurt your career.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 29 at 2016 9:03 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 09:03:11 -0500

I agree that profanity has no business on Rally Point. This is intended to be a professional forum to connect, seek advice, gather opinions, etc. I have been irritated reading some of the comments on here but instead of typing a mistake that I can't take back, I leave it alone. What some people fail to realize on here is that, just like Social Media platforms, someone is watching, maybe the SMA or one of your Soldiers. It's ok to disagree with something or someone but in a professional setting..utilize different vocabulary. Just my two pennies...

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Feb 29 at 2016 9:08 AM

Capt Richard I P. — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 09:08:00 -0500

The language you use is a reflection on your character. Protect your reputation, especially in permanent, public, searchable forums.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Feb 29 at 2016 9:20 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 09:20:39 -0500

I will just add this note to your discussion SSG Brian MacBain. The forums are monitored by a small group of admins, and the use of "four letter words" is on the top of our list to stop. While we understand that some topics discussed here are topics people feel very strongly about, the use of these words is not tolerated. Does it happen? Yes. And like Capt Richard I P. pointed out the words you use do reflect on your character. If one of the admins notice a member is using these words, it is within our scope to remove the comment/thread from the site. If the behavior is repeated, direct communication to the member(s) is completed and then of course further action may be taken if the behavior is not corrected.

What I will say is this, and it is the same for any question about behavior here. If you notice something that does not look right, please notify one of the user admins. We are the ones with the stars by our names. We can then review and address the issue quickly. You can notify us by tagging us in a comment or by sending a direct message in which you include the link for review.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Feb 29 at 2016 9:49 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 09:49:05 -0500

Depends on the context. Sometimes a specific "four letter word" is absolutely the best way to convey a specific message to the intended audience.

If we can "shock and awe" or Man the Rails as a show of force, why can't we use words to convey a specific meaning?

That said, anytime that a specific tool is overused, it becomes less effective.

A leader doesn't "need" to swear, but that doesn't mean he isn't "allowed" to swear (as appropriate).

Response by LT Charles (Chuck) McCoy made Feb 29 at 2016 10:00 AM

LT Charles (Chuck) McCoy — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 10:00:42 -0500

I am sure Gen. George S. Patton, Jr. Must have had a tremendous lack of character and zero professionalism, judging by these standards. I believe there is a time and a place for both decorum and crude language. There are times where only a certain word fully conveys the speaker's intent. This in no way a poor reflection of charatter.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Feb 29 at 2016 10:40 AM

LTC Stephen C. — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 10:40:41 -0500

"When I want my men to remember something important, to really make it stick, I give it to them double dirty. It may not sound nice to some bunch of little old ladies at an afternoon tea party, but it helps my soldiers to remember. You can't run an army without profanity; and it has to be eloquent profanity. An army without profanity couldn't fight it's way out of a piss-soaked paper bag."
"As for the types of comments I make", he continued with a wry smile, "Sometimes I just, By God, get carried away with my own eloquence." - GEN George S. Patton

Personally, I believe the English language has enough words in it to convey one's proper meaning or intent without the use of profanity. Having said that, I've been known to cut loose on occasion!

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Feb 29 at 2016 10:49 AM

SMSgt Thor Merich — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 10:49:44 -0500

Using colorful language is a form of communication. At times, its needed to properly convey a message or point of view. However, I do not believe that on RP or any social media platform, that type of language is needed or warranted. Wrong time and place in my opinion.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 29 at 2016 10:57 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 10:57:24 -0500

I typed like two paragraphs and then deleted them. Who cares! If you don't like it and you think it's unprofessional, don't read it. I don't like the Big Bang Theory so you know what? I don't watch it. There are too many people that worry too much about what other people are doing. SMDH!

Response by SFC Stephen King made Feb 29 at 2016 11:12 AM

SFC Stephen King — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 11:12:32 -0500

SSG Brian MacBain I concur, As someone who rarely uses profanity I have noticed the increased proclivity as well.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 29 at 2016 11:48 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 11:48:04 -0500

I believe audience and intent has a big part to play in the use of more colorful language. When using it for personal attacks or when addressing the larger audience, which includes civilians, its inappropriate. However, when speaking among warfighters, I certainly don't mind when the bomb is dropped to show enthusiasm/emphasis/etc.

I detest the choirboy movement within the military that shuns any use of strong language, the Quaker attitude towards drinking, and generally putting up a more politically-correct front. I have no desire to see that line of thought gain any more traction in RP or otherwise, if someone wants to swear, so be it.

Response by SPC James Dollins made Feb 29 at 2016 11:52 AM

SPC James Dollins — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 11:52:51 -0500

I agree w/ you especially in public posts & answers.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Feb 29 at 2016 12:21 PM

Capt Mark Strobl — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 12:21:13 -0500

SSG Brian MacBain - While I do agree that, especially on RP, maintaining a professional decorum yields the best dialog. Sometimes however, vulgarity is accepted in order to convey emphasis. If I feel compelled to divert from the expectation, I try to use the "&^$%" or "****" keys. They work just fine --and one can fill in the blanks as they see fit. Everyone gets the point without having to type out the actual word.

Response by SGT Allison Churchill made Feb 29 at 2016 12:23 PM

SGT Allison Churchill — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 12:23:00 -0500

I just can't bring myself to type those particular words, in texts or on social media. I do say them out loud--sometimes, when you can't see punctuation, an f-bomb serves nicely--but I think making the effort to type or write them takes away their spontaneity.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Feb 29 at 2016 12:34 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 12:34:10 -0500

Is it "OK"? When it comes to salty words (and I admit, I own that salt mine myself), their use with regard to professionalism on or off-line is generally a No-Go, but there can be exceptions to this I think. I would submit a couple items to consider when judging the level of professionalism of cuss artists here on RP or in the real world.

Sometimes situational factors matter, such as when you are quoting someone. I feel that a full and accurate reporting of events requires full and accurate quotation, even with regard to the use of those "four letter words". Accurately relaying someone else's words I don't feel is generally a mark against the one doing the quoting, even if some feel such word usage should be tempered for the audience's potential sensitivity. That is a matter of accuracy, which is not incompatible with professionalism.

Sometimes "relativity" or "context" should be considered when discussing those words as they relate to the concept of professionalism; certainly here in the military. For example, contrasting office job MOSs and combat MOSs. They are worlds apart in terms of their purpose, how they accomplish their tasks, and often, who does it. There are always exceptions of course, but while I'm not going to excuse or justify their use to those who do not appreciate swearing, it should be understood that in the military, particularly in combat arms--and from my experience, the Infantry--cuss words uttered by young men of arms are generally a normal part of conversation-thus not "unprofessional" given who these people are and what they do. Please understand, that is an observation, not a value judgment. I leave that to you.

Right or wrong, swearing does reflect on the one who uses the words, I understand this. For those who never drop such word bombs as a normal course of conversation, I admire that. I have to meter my speech constantly just to maintain the veneer of professionalism. It's not easy as I was a cuss artist from Day One, and my time with Uncle Sam seemed to both expand and normalize my foul language skills. Still, given a professional environment, I do my best to curb my habit. But like most everything else in life, there should be some "understandings", if not occasional exceptions to the commonly understood but generally unwritten rules about swearing and professionalism.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 29 at 2016 3:58 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 15:58:05 -0500

Using four letter words on social media is not something I would do.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 29 at 2016 5:16 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 17:16:26 -0500

This forum is designed to be a platform of knowledge exchange for service members and people directly connected to the military. That said, we may exercise freedom of speech here but always remember we are all under scrutiny. Simply put, be smart about what you say because once you post it, it is out there for all to see and judge.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Feb 29 at 2016 9:24 PM

COL Charles Williams — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 21:24:36 -0500

I do not think it ever appropriate online, email, social media etc. In person, I have talked like a sailor many times, but I try hard to keep my potty mouth to my self, and when I driving...

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 29 at 2016 9:43 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 21:43:42 -0500

I agree, I keep my language clean and professional. I want my feedback to be clear and concise, there's no need for filler

Response by 1SG David Niles made Feb 29 at 2016 10:00 PM

1SG David Niles — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 22:00:27 -0500

One thing I have noticed in the military is a level of grit in the service person. It takes a hard person to do a hard job that others that are more refined cannot or will not do. So a four letter word does not offend me. Don't be so sensitive France's.

Response by SPC Alejandro Martinez made Feb 29 at 2016 10:02 PM

SPC Alejandro Martinez — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 22:02:37 -0500

I think it is not ok to use profanity/cusswords on RP. I think RP should be more professional than FB.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Feb 29 at 2016 11:36 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 23:36:20 -0500

SSG Brian MacBain At times, four letter words used for emphasis are effective: "Patton". When I am reading, I notice the lack of professionalism associated w/ 4 letter words. Sometimes, it appears to be a lower grade, enlisted type trying to express frustration!

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Mar 1 at 2016 4:07 PM

CSM Richard StCyr — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 16:07:53 -0500

There's this thing called digital permanency and while I'm not easily offended and don't really care weather someone's cussing or not (big difference between someone cussing and cussing at you) It's never a good idea to put it in digits. Just look at the grade structure on RP I've seen everything from PVT to Colonel and some of the retired folks I've seen here have some kick in the real world. So to quote a popular catch phrase "Don't be that guy" you never know who will be looking at your digital presence. Recently I met an individual on a job interview panel that I recognized as having viewed my linked in profile. So just think before you hit send.

Response by Sharon Lee made Oct 19 at 2017 2:26 PM

Sharon Lee — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 14:26:47 -0400

Nope!

Response by SFC Harry (Billy) Tison made Feb 15 at 2018 8:33 PM

SFC Harry (Billy) Tison — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 20:33:21 -0500

No. We're supposed to be professionals on here