How do you leverage RallyPoint to enhance your existing Professional Military Network?

LTC Richard Becker — Tue, 17 Sep 2013 11:03:16 -0400

RallyPoint allows us to reach out to specific members of the Military to create targeted dialogue that enables us to enhance our current careers and shape our future. How do you specifically do this?

Response by CPT Brian Hughes made Sep 17 at 2013 11:14 AM

CPT Brian Hughes — Tue, 17 Sep 2013 11:14:53 -0400

I think it's a great way to maintain a virtual "rolodex." As a transitioned officer, I hate logging back on to AKO- So this is a much easier way to look people up from my time in the Army.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Sep 17 at 2013 11:47 AM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Tue, 17 Sep 2013 11:47:21 -0400

When you talk to branch about your PCS options, you often run into a brick wall. Branch doesn't originate unit manning needs -- the units do! Most people don't even realize this. THE UNITS THEMSELVES, not branch, know long ahead of time what types of personnel they need and when.

The most common best practice that people tell me about is:
(1) Go to the RallyPoint pages of specific units they want to serve in
(2) Connect with specific leaders/personnel shown on those pages
(3) Get a by-name request (BNR) from a leader there, often by realizing that you know some of the same people
(4) That leader tells branch that he/she wants YOU
(5) They get orders for the unit they want

I've already seen it happen several times recently. Anyway, that would be my answer.

Hope this helps!