Do you ever get upset from posts on RallyPoint?

Cpl Brett Wagner — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 14:07:57 -0500

Do you ever shake your head ruefully at some of the posts on RallyPoint? What subjects irk you and why? Should they be discussed here?

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2014 2:18 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 14:18:18 -0500

There are a few that I shake my head at. And I'm finding its best to stay away from the toxic ones.

Response by Cpl Dennis F. made Dec 1 at 2014 2:16 PM

Cpl Dennis F. — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 14:16:10 -0500

Not really upset. Mystified at times, yes. Wonder how the person ever made it to the military, yes. Wonder why so many SM officers cannot spell absolutely, but upset, No.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2014 2:39 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 14:39:41 -0500

I didn't use to, but here lately I find myself scratching my head all the time wondering why?? or how?? someone could even come up with some of the things being discussed here on a "Professional Military Network", but such is the beast of social media I guess. I don't let them upset me I just simply ignore what I don't want to read or be part of.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Dec 1 at 2014 2:49 PM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 14:49:36 -0500

No, everyone is entitled to their opinion, the only reason to get a bit steamed is from disrespect (not associated with rank) for ones opinion that shows blatant disregard and a lack of professional courtesy. While this is a social network, it is based upon a group of brothers and sisters regardless of service who are currently serving, wish to serve or have served. We should be respectful of each other as if we were in battle relying on each other shoulder to shoulder.

Response by SFC Vernon McNabb made Dec 1 at 2014 2:54 PM

SFC Vernon McNabb — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 14:54:56 -0500

Sometimes. The "troll" questions, and yes, there are some on this site, really get under my skin. There should be a separate tab for these types of "thought-provoking" questions and statements. After 10 down-votes, they automatically end up in the troll section. Just my thoughts.

Response by SGT Kristin Wiley made Dec 1 at 2014 3:06 PM

SGT Kristin Wiley — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 15:06:26 -0500

It really irks me when someone fails to read an entire posting and then on their limited insight proceeds to personnaly disrepect others through their ignorance.

Response by PO2 Corey Ferretti made Dec 1 at 2014 5:02 PM

PO2 Corey Ferretti — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 17:02:52 -0500

I don't read the ones that i think would get me upset. I have seen a few post that i was like how many times can we beat this dead horse. because it gets re-posted under a different title. There have been a few that have made me go ughh because they strike a nerve to me but they are valid post that should be discussed.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2014 6:34 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 18:34:46 -0500

Cpl Brett Wagner,

Yes. The ones that upset me are responses that are disrespectful, flippant, or dismissive. Comments like, "That's a dumb question" or "Why is this even a discussion?" have no place here on Rallypoint. Save that garbage for Facebook. If you think someone's question is dumb, then don't reply to it. Just ignore it and move on.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2014 6:36 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 18:36:30 -0500

Great question, Cpl Brett Wagner. I do, indeed, sometimes get upset when I read things -- personal attacks, for example. It's easy to ID the toxic discussions on RallyPoint. I find them non-productive, so I usually avoid them. Or, sometimes, I'll state my opinion and get out. I'm not here to argue, attack, or be attacked. I'm reminded of COL Private RallyPoint Member's great discussion thread on being professional on RallyPoint. It should be required reading:

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/if-this-is-a-professional-network-let-s-keep-it-professional

If this is a Professional Network, Let's Keep it Professional | RallyPoint

Dear friends and colleagues: I deeply appreciate the concept of RallyPoint and the ability to openly express and intellectually debate tough issues that face our Nation, our National Security, and the use of our military in the future. As the very few who have served in uniform, we have a very unique set of skills, insights and experiences that have shaped our worldview. We have been on the "tip of the spear" to preserve the Constitution of...

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Dec 1 at 2014 7:43 PM

CMSgt James Nolan — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 19:43:23 -0500

Yes, and sometimes (wait for it, I realize that I am far from perfect) I find myself out typing my brain....

The problem with responses, in some cases (ok, mine, not yours) is that it sounds great when you are saying, it, but sometimes the point of the response gets lost.

I know that I never set out to be offensive, but, because of the above, at least 2 have been not so good.

I really try and think it through, but.......

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2014 9:03 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 21:03:53 -0500

Upset ...NO!

Shaking my head and wondering "what an idiot"....YES!, and then I find myself typing away at in response and can't wait to post it. HOWEVER, when I'm done, I sit the lap top on the table, get up and walk away for a few minutes. Then I come back and begin reading what I've written..usually the reply is sarcastic, possibly a bit too much unprofessional language, and then possibly see that I got off the point of the original topic and have began to go into the personal attack direction with a few sharpe stabs.

Then I begin to delete, reword, resteate some points, cut the entire response by possibly two thirds of what I originally had. By then I start to laugh at myself for almost getting sucked into the stupidity.

Upset....NOPE! But then again, there are times when you have to call a spade a spade, but do so in a direct, point on, and yes even a sarcastically professional manner (there is such a thing)...that is just my nature!

For me, I am more bothered by the morons who will give folks a down vote and then not have anything to say about it (even though that's their right), that does get under my skin more than most ignorant posts.

Now that I think more about it.....YES, GUILTY HERE!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2014 9:47 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 21:47:02 -0500

Not really surprising. I am perplexed at many comments. But, we are supposedly representative of the general population. It's to be expected.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Dec 1 at 2014 9:49 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 21:49:22 -0500

Not upset, but more like, "why the hell did someone post this?" Got to admit there are a few of my own that I even question. The one that really gave me a case of the WTFs is: https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/should-permanent-profile-sm-receive-reduced-pay-why-or-why-not

Should permanent profile SM receive reduced pay? Why or why not? | RallyPoint

During endurance mobility PRT session, it seems that more and more SM are falling into profile group. Is it fair permanent profile SM receive the same amount of pay that personal not on profile receive, being that they are not fully capable?

Response by SSG Tim Everett made Dec 1 at 2014 9:52 PM

SSG Tim Everett — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 21:52:39 -0500

I don't get upset at the posts or responses, but I do shake my head at some of the things that our brothers and sisters post. That, however, is one reason why America is great. I try to stay away from topics pertaining to religion and politics unless I get goat-roped into one of them.

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Dec 1 at 2014 10:52 PM

SPC(P) Jay Heenan — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 22:52:32 -0500

I'm old, almost everything annoys me sometimes...

I try not to, sometimes I just shake my head and move on. There are folks on here that thrive on 'heated debates' and start threads for this reason I think.

Response by Capt Chris McVeigh made Dec 1 at 2014 11:00 PM

Capt Chris McVeigh — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 23:00:23 -0500

I don't know if upset is the right word. I do get disappointed when people use this forum as a place to vent their own personal beliefs/rant about nonsense. I'm not going to get upset if someone posts something I strongly disagree with as long as they do it logically/in a literate manner.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Dec 1 at 2014 11:02 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 23:02:36 -0500

Like 1SG Private RallyPoint Member mentioned, "it is not worth aggravating myself over." There is no point in "taking the bait" with issues that are clearly your hot buttons. Psych 101: When you let yourself get angry, you surrender power to the other person. What is really sad is when after insulting each other's positions on a subject 20 times, one of the parties emails the administrators. High school sucked for me. Please don't make me go through it all over again. "Professional Military Network".........remember? Please respect each others' beliefs and opinions and agree to disagree. There are other internet forums more appropriate for acting childish and insulting each other.

Response by SPC Kayri McCartin made Dec 2 at 2014 1:55 AM

SPC Kayri McCartin — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 01:55:00 -0500

I definitely shake my head, but mostly I just laugh and laugh.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2014 2:07 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 02:07:37 -0500

I don't know if I would say they irk me, but there are several on here that I wonder if they are meeting the intent of RallyPoint and having professional development discussions.

Posts such as:

What is your LEAST favorite military slang term or saying?

How do we heal after the Ferguson grand jury decision?

WHAT FERGUSON MEANS FOR POLICE

What is your favorite smart phone app?

Are You shopping online on this Cyber Monday?

I wonder what these have to do with growing as a professional in the Military?

Response by PFC Mickey Wellmon made Dec 2 at 2014 2:07 AM

PFC Mickey Wellmon — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 02:07:52 -0500

Its funny that THIS post is here because as I came across it, I was thinking "Man some of these topics are just ridiculous." I'm not going to specify which topics I feel are pointless, that would probably be just another post that makes someone upset. Now, everyone is entitled to their opinion. My opinion if you care to know, is that I only concern myself with matters that directly affect us now or in the future. I can discuss pop culture on facebook, twitter, etc. But here, we all share a bond and I feel what we publicly discuss should be related to that bond. But of course I do not think down upon or hold any ill will towards any discussion posts or anyone that posts here.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2014 5:00 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 05:00:49 -0500

The last one I just stopped and looked at was an individual asking if SMs with permanent profiles should recieve reduced pay...I seriously wanted to cyber slap the !#*% out of them...

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2014 7:43 AM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 07:43:28 -0500

I have on occasions. Mostly the ones that show blatant disrespect for others opinions. Some people I believe just want to stir up trouble no matter what.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Dec 2 at 2014 11:40 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 11:40:28 -0500

I'm retired! I may agree or disagree very strongly, but upset, nope! Kind of alike a duck's back and water!! And I'm kind of glad when someone down votes me, means I've hit a spot. Remember children, play nice. No one is keeping score, so no one wins and no one looses! That's the way of the world today (BS!!)

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2014 12:13 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 12:13:55 -0500

I see what is nothing more than drive-by comments or topics and soon that individual is gone. Maybe two to three weeks and they literally vanish into the aether like a familiar dream. Mostly they are articles of how bad the military is, racism, feminism and how incredibly stupid one might be.

But like I said, they come and go and there is a regularity in the way these are presented and most notably Christian-bashing.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2014 12:17 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 12:17:21 -0500

One of the problems I see aside from the stop and pop threads are people wanting this site to either be serious or some other thing. It is okay to have ideas on what you like but not every person feels the same way.

Response by SGT Steve Vincent made Dec 2 at 2014 12:54 PM

SGT Steve Vincent — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 12:54:38 -0500

This is why I have stayed quite far away from the "Transgenders: Serving in Silence" thread...

Response by CPT Richard Riley made Dec 2 at 2014 1:10 PM

CPT Richard Riley — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 13:10:52 -0500

I'm not willing to go so far as to say some posts 'irk' me. When you consider the number of people coming to the site on any given day, there are bound to be discussions that I'm not particularly fond of and a few I vehemently disagree with ... but why would any post irk me? I don't take anything posted here on RP so personally that I get that riled up.

There are some discussions I read through just for the entertainment, a few that may sway my point of view because of the discussion and comments within that I usually don't cater to, but all-in-all at the end of the day I have to give deference that everyone is entitled to their opinion and can express that opinion within the limits of the RP TOS.

If I'm going to get that bothered by reading something on the site - I think I may have bigger problems than I'm willing to admit. If this is the case, I just need to stay away from the internet all together to salvage what little piece of mind I may have left.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2014 1:12 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 13:12:23 -0500

To be honest, the recent run of posts that is either overly political, misguided, or just downright stupid, caused me to not log in for over a month. Then when I did log in the first thing I read is some Charlie Foxtrot about reducing soldier pay for profiles! Not only does shit like that make me shake my head, but makes me wonder if this is even a worthwhile venture anymore, of if it is a military version of FB (full of its sophomoric, teenaged girl drama and tears).

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2014 3:24 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 03:24:04 -0500

Never on RP do I get upset by posts. Stunned sometimes, but never upset. A long time ago when I first started posting to forums I used to get angry and argue. I've grown past that and just have fun with it. Back when I used to post to military.com forums I used to let the pissing contest really get to me.

Response by SGT Robert Geary made Dec 10 at 2014 12:12 PM

SGT Robert Geary — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 12:12:20 -0500

RP provides a good gateway for those transitioning from the Military to Civilian Life. One of the things to get used to is that anyone - regardless of rank, intelligence, or basic 'doucheyness' - gets to tell you their 'Fresh Take' on the world, business, and the military. I see a lot of ex-military folks struggle with this concept; therefore, RP is good exposure to the chaos of ideas in the world...

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2014 12:29 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 12:29:18 -0500

The same thing happened on the AKO. discussion forums. There was a thread called bitches, gripes & complaints that outsized the rest by 4 or 5 times the volume. I think there is a place for the less professional chatter, or less topical chatter, on these sites, and RP should provide an off-topic area to accommodate.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Nov 22 at 2017 7:49 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Wed, 22 Nov 2017 19:49:10 -0500

Being a sick individual I enjoy watching them be offended by everything

Response by SSgt Harvey "Skip" Porter made Nov 22 at 2017 9:03 PM

SSgt Harvey "Skip" Porter — Wed, 22 Nov 2017 21:03:07 -0500

I only been here on here a short time however I am not going to let anyone rain on my sunshine on RP. To me this is a good source of rapport and exchanging invaluable information. We should be here helping and uplifting each other not attacking each other.

Our source of attacking in my opinion should be directed towards our Political leaders they are the one's that lied to Veterans for decades and continue to let us down.

I have written to so many Congressmen and Senators all regarding issues facing Veterans. I am not selfish I am 100% Total and Permanent so I could just say forget it and no longer be concerned but I am not made up like that. I want what's right and fair for all Veterans.

I am thankful for my time in the military and the friends I made I am grateful for the Veterans Service Officer an Army Retired SFC that help me with my claims and get awarded 100% based on my injuries that occurred on active duty so I feel indebted to Veterans causes for the rest of my life it's in my heart.

I am Thankful that at 50 years old I was able to retire from a job as a Mid level Manager after 22 years with full medical benefits for me and my wife. Despite being rated 100% I can still work. Then was able to get another Mid level Management job with another government agency. The reason why there is so much thanks given because both of the jobs I got because I was a Veteran. So I am one to say I have much pride as Veteran and I care for Veteran causes.

Peace!

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Nov 22 at 2017 11:11 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Wed, 22 Nov 2017 23:11:34 -0500

I ignoresnd do not open pistsby RP members previouly found to be deficient in judgement or reasoning. The anonymous ones - I totally ignore!