How do you use the RallyPoint Answers categories?

SSG Kevin McCulley — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 14:45:39 -0400

I was thinking that RP could create an alternative set of forums that lack rank and perhaps even picture. Maybe people would just be listed by first name & last initial with an avatar of a random piece of cheese?

These boards could then be the place for professional discourse and keep topics like "Which so called life resulted in more murder, Muhammad or Jesus?" or "50 different ways Atheists will burn in Hellfire plus a really great recipe for BBQ" as well as "Bieber Fever" away from any remote semblance of a professional community.

I understand vets love to congregate and chew the fat. I do it all the time on the Facebook OIF group, however we aren't identified by service, name, and grade. Furthermore, there are folks here that are no longer in the service agitating folks that still are and still subject to the UCMJ and that honestly is unacceptable behavior. The only solution I can see to maintaining RP as a social media platform while also a professional platform for employment and networking is to create a forum group for more pedestrian purposes. What do you think?

EDIT: Wow.. What a difference a word makes. In my re-edits of the second paragraph, the word us dropped off... right before Vets. I couldn't understand the animosity going on until I re-read the question.

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Jul 29 at 2014 5:04 PM

LTC Yinon Weiss — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 17:04:04 -0400

SSG McCulley -- You bring up a good point, which is one of the reasons we recently broke up Answers into four different categories. A lot of people enjoy the general interest discussion section - that is the more pedestrian purpose category that you are already posting in.

Some people want more strictly professional level military discussions (link below). Everybody can choose to read a specific type of discussion or all discussions.

https://www.rallypoint.com/categories/military-discussions/answers

RallyPoint - The Professional Military Network

Military Discussions on RallyPoint

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jul 29 at 2014 5:29 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 17:29:57 -0400

People inevitably keep bringing up the topic of what they don't want to see on RP or feel that RP isn't for certain types of discussions or in this case calling veterans out specifically:

"Furthermore, there are folks here that are no longer in the service agitating folks that still are and still subject to the UCMJ and that honestly is unacceptable behavior. "

I am very sorry SSG Kevin McCulley that you feel we are agitators, despite what LTC Yinon Weiss and the RP team have put in place to make this a friendly forum for all.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2014 5:43 PM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 17:43:11 -0400

I feel like this is a slam on us Vets and I'm going to take offense. I feel safe in saying that the fellow vets I've come to know on here would never intentionally violate the UCMJ. Yeah we like to chew the fat and raise a little hell; we've earned it. But we are professional enough to respect those still wearing the uniform and to imply we don't have the candor to do otherwise is frankly insulting. I like talking to folks on Active Duty. It's been refreshing for me to meet other women who wear and who have worn the uniform because when I was in, there weren't as many women as there are now. I like hearing the stories and sharing in similar woes and hearing what's changed or different. I keep what I see and share here just here.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Jul 29 at 2014 6:42 PM

CMSgt James Nolan — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 18:42:11 -0400

SSG Kevin McCulley I take this for what it is-A site for some common minded networking, with a few posers intermixed and a few folks with no sense. When I encounter one that fits those criteria, I tend to simply ignore them. Some posers are harder to spot than others.

I would like (very tough job) to totally vet out everyone on the site, but do not think it is 100% possible. So, if someone puts something out there that is too far outside the norm, I go look at their profile. If it is weak, lacking, appears ridiculous, is unverified or any other number of reasons that are mine alone, I disregard what they say.

That said, I enjoy the Hell out of this community, because 95% of the folks on here that I have encountered have the same thought process as I do. The other 5% just have not come around to my way of thinking. (heh heh).

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2014 7:40 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 19:40:34 -0400

I can't get on-board with this poll, simply because the category "General Interest" is an option on RP. If professional discourse is your only interest, then stay in that lane, SSG. There are numerous topics on here in which you can respond. Additionally, if you feel that you have a question in which you want an answer via general opinion, pose it. There are many service-members on RP that take questions seriously and will respond in a professional manner.
I think many of us take exception to the "vets" comment, however. Many of these vets have contributed years to our country...just like you and I. Dismissing their insights, just because they are no longer serving, I think, is a grave error-personally and professionally. All service-members will be veterans one day, and being short-sighted is not an attribute in anyone's "big picture".
If you want to network, then network. However, do keep in mind that "social networking" is not made possible by a collection of automatons. We are are still people. And until this site is completely dedicated to formal (and sometimes dry) discussions, and unless you can petition the site admins to exclude discussions that you feel are irrelevant to your professional progression, quit being patronizing, SSG.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jul 29 at 2014 7:45 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 19:45:10 -0400

So basically 4chan? ;)

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 5 at 2022 7:42 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Sep 2022 19:42:46 -0400

Gingerly and extreme caution