How do you know that you spend too much time on RallyPoint?

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 15:10:44 -0400

Late nights, early mornings, lunch breaks, coffee breaks, weekends, some of us seem to be addicted. So what are some of the warning signs?

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 30 at 2014 3:16 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 15:16:10 -0400

1. You can spell all your contacts' names correctly without looking
2. Your spouse tells you to put the laptop/tablet down and you reply, Yes, 1SG"
3. You troll the site for the new 0 response posts
4. You just figure out that "RP" and your initials are one in the same
5. You spend more time on RP than Facebook and ebay combined.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Jun 30 at 2014 3:21 PM

MSG Wade Huffman — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 15:21:21 -0400

I think the #1 sign that you spend too much time on Rally Point is when you post a question and then answer it yourself!
(sorry, Sir, just had to jump on that!)

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2014 3:32 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 15:32:17 -0400

I was forced to find better internet in Kuwait just so I could post more often!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2014 3:32 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 15:32:24 -0400

When you're more worried about how much time you spend on here as opposed to how much helpful insight you can provide to young Soldiers and current/future leaders.

Response by LCpl Steve Wininger made Jun 30 at 2014 4:07 PM

LCpl Steve Wininger — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 16:07:21 -0400

My name is Steve, and I'm an RPaholic.

Sleep is the only time, however, instead of waking up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, I check RP.

I am still trying to figure out how I can work my classes around RP this fall.

Withdraws... Internet went down for a few hours last week and I started having DT's

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2014 4:20 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 16:20:43 -0400

When you are "4 out of 3,704 O-4s"

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2014 4:21 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 16:21:14 -0400

I know I spend to much time here because I don't have a job yet.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2014 4:26 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 16:26:47 -0400

You're addicted when you immediately have to see what comment was liked or who made a comment on what you posted!

Response by CMC Robert Young made Jun 30 at 2014 4:31 PM

CMC Robert Young — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 16:31:15 -0400

I don't understand the question. Is it possible to spend too much time on RallyPoint?

Response by TSgt Scott Hurley made Jun 30 at 2014 4:38 PM

TSgt Scott Hurley — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 16:38:20 -0400

I am going to pull a Jeff Foxworthy here.

If you post more than 3 questions and those that respond know what your talking about. You might be addicted to Rally Point...

I just had to... But you know your addicted when you tell your troops they had better join Rally Point or else.......

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2014 6:08 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 18:08:09 -0400

When you are willing to scroll through the who is connected to whom, who updated their profile, and who changed their profile picture to see the recent/new forum notifications.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2014 7:07 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 19:07:16 -0400

- You start half of your face-to-face interactions with, "So I read this thing on RP the other day..."

- A military-related question occurs to you, and you search for the answer on the RP discussion threads rather than ask your supervisor.

- You're supposed to be studying for an exam, but you justify spending "just 10 more minutes" on RP.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Jun 30 at 2014 7:16 PM

SSG Robert Burns — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 19:16:40 -0400

You won't know....until you create a survey question and ask everyone else. Once those results are in...then you will know.

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made Jun 30 at 2014 7:17 PM

CPT Jacob Swartout — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 19:17:17 -0400

I check it at least twice a day but only on here for 10-20 min. Been busy lately so I have cut the time down because of work and another training class cycle is about to start up this week. Great site indeed.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 30 at 2014 7:58 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 19:58:01 -0400

Thanks RP for correcting my capitalization faux pas.

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Jun 30 at 2014 8:42 PM

Capt Brandon Charters — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 20:42:05 -0400

The real question....do you have push notifications coming via the app?

Response by LCpl Steve Wininger made Jun 30 at 2014 8:46 PM

LCpl Steve Wininger — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 20:46:01 -0400

When one post takes almost half your ammo!!!

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 30 at 2014 9:54 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 21:54:18 -0400

"You unlock this door with the key of conversation. Beyond it is another dimension - a dimension of words, a dimension of text, a new state of mind. You're moving into a space of both opinions and satire, of regulations and comedy. You've just crossed over into the RallyPoint Zone. "

ne ne ne ne, ne ne ne ne, ne ne ne ne....

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jul 1 at 2014 6:54 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 06:54:42 -0400

When 4hours ago EST is 0200, you're getting responses at that time, and you see the people responding are neither in Europe or Asia or on the west coast.

Ted Knight from Caddyshack - "Don't you people have homes?", or in our case, lives?

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 1 at 2014 7:34 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 07:34:51 -0400

lets see...I know I have spent to much time on rally point when I try to "thumb up" emails I receive from other RP members... CPT Laurie H.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 1 at 2014 7:47 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 07:47:18 -0400

#1 and #2 warning signs - when you start discussing politics and religion.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 1 at 2014 8:16 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 08:16:26 -0400

or when you get so excited because you have a new email you hope its a notification from RallyPoint...but really its a redbox promotional email. I have fell for that more than once...I have now unsubscribed to redbox to remove the confusion.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jul 2 at 2014 7:48 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 07:48:55 -0400

The first thing you do after waking up and before hitting the latrine/head is to tune in to RP and post a response. Upon returning from said "social call" you have responses to your post from multiple people on your contact list.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jul 2 at 2014 7:55 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 07:55:27 -0400

For those of you with "Thumb" issues - you've generally run out before noon, Jackson Brown's "Running on Empty" is your new favorite theme song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jC-pkV1s0Zc

Jackson Browne - Running On Empty + lyrics

Jackson Browne - Running On Empty Lyrics: Looking out at the road rushing under my wheels Looking back at the years gone by like so many summer fields In '65...

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jul 2 at 2014 8:01 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 08:01:40 -0400

test

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jul 2 at 2014 8:17 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 08:17:06 -0400

You find yourself (guilty as charged) editing your own responses for grammatical mistakes, hours or even days after the original post.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jul 2 at 2014 10:41 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 10:41:52 -0400

The number of friends you "virtually" met here, but in most cases not in person, outnumbers those you have around your AO.

For me that's easy because I don't have that many :-)

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jul 2 at 2014 11:55 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 11:55:44 -0400

A tip of the hat to Col Private RallyPoint Member and SSG V. Michelle Woods - Your name actually appears in a RP discussion question and people worry about where you are and what you're wearing. :-)

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2014 2:12 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 14:12:12 -0400

When conversations on RallyPoint are used to influence/add to/or aid safety briefs.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jul 2 at 2014 2:37 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 14:37:20 -0400

You pick up on administrative site changes, #snap#, just like that!

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Aug 15 at 2014 12:49 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 12:49:57 -0400

You get nominated for a RallyPoint award. If that ain't a tell-all I don't know what is!

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made Aug 15 at 2014 12:57 PM

CPT Jacob Swartout — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 12:57:37 -0400

I would say if you have it on the your unit training schedule to check it at specific times of the day, then you are in trouble, Lol! That is why I limit myself daily so that I won't spend hours on RP.

Response by PFC Zanie Young made Aug 15 at 2014 3:40 PM

PFC Zanie Young — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 15:40:15 -0400

1. When it stays on your mind 16 hours a day.
2. When you think of something to say about military issues that makes you laugh.
3. When you check your inbox more than necessary.
4. When it's more important than doing your chores.
5. Whenever you are bored.
Well, that's all I can think of... hmmmm...

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Oct 19 at 2014 9:04 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 21:04:57 -0400

I don't RallyPoint anything wrong RallyPoint with spending a little RallyPoint time on RallyPoint. It is a free RallyPoint country and we are all grown RallyPoint ups. RallyPoint RallyPoint is here to be used as a means to RallyPoint and help others to RallyPoint when things are great or RallyPoint.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Nov 24 at 2014 6:01 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 18:01:49 -0500

When you see a thread and know who is going to get drawn into the "discussion" and who will "counter-discuss." You have spent WAY too much time when you can tell who will down-vote whom and over what comment. You have spent WAY WAY too much time on RallyPoint when you know who will be the first to email you complaining about the other person. You have spent WAY WAY WAY too much time on RallyPoint when you know what I am going to say next....lol

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Nov 24 at 2014 6:08 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 18:08:50 -0500

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Response by Capt Richard I P. made Nov 24 at 2014 6:09 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 18:09:38 -0500

When you start discussions worrying about it.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Nov 24 at 2014 6:39 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 18:39:44 -0500

When you think of a good topic and write it down so you don't forget it.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Nov 24 at 2014 7:23 PM

CMSgt James Nolan — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 19:23:28 -0500

My wife comes home and asks me if I am on Military Facebook again!

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Dec 13 at 2014 3:46 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 15:46:05 -0500

You are away from RP for a while and when you come back youhave like, 15 thumbs up from SFC Mark Merino!! Thanks Mark!

Response by PO2 Corey Ferretti made Dec 13 at 2014 3:53 PM

PO2 Corey Ferretti — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 15:53:11 -0500

Well i had to give my self a "time out" yesterday to spend some time with my family because i get on here when i wake up and when i get home from work. On the weekends i am on here all throughout the day. Plus i am half harted watching the Army/Navy Game because of this site haha.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2014 9:25 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 21:25:52 -0500

It's when the first thing you do when you wake up is check RallyPoint ... and the last thing you do before going to sleep is to ... well, check RallyPoint. That's what we call an indicator in the intel business.

Response by SrA Marc Haynes made Dec 14 at 2014 1:27 AM

SrA Marc Haynes — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 01:27:24 -0500

When you're on here the day you were married.
@Mark Meri

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2014 7:35 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 07:35:58 -0500

When you count down til you get home to get back on or you are upset that the app would not let you do something or you lost signal and it did not go through. Really when your family has an intervention to tell you that you spend too much time on it.

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Dec 21 at 2014 1:33 AM

SGT Michael Glenn — Sun, 21 Dec 2014 01:33:14 -0500

You mean there is a life BEYOND RP???? you have to be kidding!!! Thats like saying the world is round !!!!!

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2015 10:39 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 22:39:23 -0400

Denial... it's not just a river in Africa.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jun 10 at 2015 12:39 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 00:39:04 -0400

And here I thought it was just me. Glad to see I'm not alone.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 10 at 2015 1:57 AM

PO1 John Miller — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 01:57:37 -0400

When you're in the top 10 in points. Or in MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca's case, #1 in RP points!

Response by PO3 David Fries made Jun 10 at 2015 6:42 AM

PO3 David Fries — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 06:42:43 -0400

Is there such a thing? Lol

Response by PO3 David Fries made Jun 10 at 2015 6:50 AM

PO3 David Fries — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 06:50:18 -0400

I used to do my primary interaction with former/current service members on FB. Since coming here and getting involved, I spend so much less time on FB. I actually prefer the conversations here.

Response by SPC Charles Brown made Jun 10 at 2015 11:41 AM

SPC Charles Brown — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 11:41:52 -0400

Stars in your profile picture, 1 million plus points, caffeine overloads on a 24 hour basis and your wife screaming that you never spend time with her anymore, these could be some of the warning signs.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2015 7:59 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 19:59:54 -0400

I managed to put myself on a Rally Point diet. After work hours only.

Response by LTC Dave Leppanen made Oct 14 at 2021 1:08 PM

LTC Dave Leppanen — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 13:08:30 -0400

Hopefully, I'm not being too serious.

1. When you start scouring the internet for items to post. I've have a collection of memes and cartoons ready for posting. You also look for "articles of opportunity" to post.
2. When it interferes with your other activities. Even though I am retired, I still have other projects that require attention.
3. When it disrupts you sleep.
4. When it is no longer enjoyable.
5. If you think you're spending too much time on RP (or any other social media site), you probably are spending too much time on social media.

Rally Point is a great site. I can thank RP for reducing my time on Facebook. Definitely, a wider variety of perspectives on RP. However, like any other social media site, it is a tool. Tools can be misused.