How much thought do you give to the statement, “your reputation precedes you”?

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 May 2015 14:16:59 -0400

Secondly, could your RallyPoint reputation precede you or effect your career, PCS, or prospects for employment?

I have learned throughout my career that the military is a relatively small community, especially within your own branch and career field. For me as an Army, All Source Intel Tech, the community is very small.

We all know that people talk, especially when you are applying for a new position, PCSing to a new unit, ect. What experience have you had both good and bad of cases where you reputation proceeded you?

Should you think twice about your RallyPoint reputation as the membership continues to increase?

MAJ George Hamilton, posted about the importance of personal branding as an imperative step in your transition to a civilian career. I would also say that in today’s digital and social media environment that personal branding is imperative for those still on active duty to include your RallyPoint presence.

Personal branding is an imperative step in the transition to a civilian career, how do you think...

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 10 at 2015 2:21 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 10 May 2015 14:21:12 -0400

I am retired, so it is moot for me. However, my word is gold.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2015 2:29 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 May 2015 14:29:32 -0400

I voted Always do my best and my reputation will follow.

Like you, CW4 Private RallyPoint Member, I'm in a relatively small field (counterintelligence), and people know others - either personally or by reputation.

I'm currently working with a colleague who is trying to get another job in the CI field as a civilian. Granted, jobs might be scarce now, but their reputation (as a know-it-all, for one, and for being abrasive, for two) is preceding them, and I think that may be at least part of the reason they're having difficulties.

“You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do.”
-- Henry Ford

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2015 2:31 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 May 2015 14:31:24 -0400

I've had my reputation precede me in a not so good way...simply because I was going somewhere were a guy I knew from years ago was already stationed and he didn't like me. I worked my butt off and dispelled the initial thoughts people had about me.

I do my best, hope my work speaks for itself. You are always going to cross the few that will try to give you a bad rap but as long as you show you aren't who they think....problem solved.

Response by MSgt Brian Welch made May 10 at 2015 4:48 PM

MSgt Brian Welch — Sun, 10 May 2015 16:48:51 -0400

I was in a relatively small field as well. Hard work and dedication pays off in many more ways than just mission accomplishment. It's intangible at the time, but people take note. I had a hard time finding work in my specialty when I first retired. I carried mail for a few years; not a bad gig for $22/hr and keeps you fit. Turned out a guy I worked for two tours prior to retiring was on my route. One Saturday when he was home, I was placing the mail in his box and he came out and offered me a job at the engineering firm he was now at. I had to interview but he vouched for me making me a shoe-in. My pay doubled, my satisfaction with my job sky rocketed; leaving a lasting, good impression was no longer intangible.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made May 10 at 2015 4:53 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Sun, 10 May 2015 16:53:58 -0400

Your reputation is critical in all times and places.

Response by BG David Fleming III made May 10 at 2015 6:55 PM

BG David Fleming III — Sun, 10 May 2015 18:55:01 -0400

I would say don't get wrapped up in worry about what others think of you prior! If you do the right thing and use good judgement, a good rep will follow you!

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2015 8:12 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 May 2015 20:12:00 -0400

Your reputation is everything. It's a small community and everyone knows everyone else. When you PCS to a new duty station, most likely someone knows you are coming and has done their intelligence work. Someone they knew was your boss or your subordinate. Everyone does their best not to poison someone with their own perceptions, but here's an example. As I was leaving Squadron Command, I had a choice to make. I could inform the incoming Squadron Commander of my impressions of people or I could use the old "I am not going to taint your opinions and make you start from where I am at," or I could be absolutely honest and tell the incoming Commander what I thought his poker hand looked like. I went with the latter option. I'd rather know what people think about those around them. As a Commander, everyone gives you a false read. They are different around you than they are around everyone else. Your reputation is everything, but you can't make efforts to maintain it. If you do, it only gets worse. Your reputation is who you are. Try and change who you are, and you will look like a fool. Do your best, and know that fate carries you and you carry it with you...but be aware...everyone is watching. Everyone is talking. Everyone knows. Be valiant and be righteous.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2015 8:57 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 May 2015 20:57:35 -0400

Since I'm not active duty, I admit that I'm not as tight lipped around here as I otherwise would be. The way I see it, this forum is a place to be professional, but I absolutely refuse to step on eggshells.

In my volunteer roles for my sorority in which I'm heavily involved... yes, I have a reputation. One I've worked hard to obtain. It's not sunshine and roses, and I don't want it to be. I work with finances, budgeting, training college aged women that their financial obligations to their sorority is a stepping stone to the real world, and that they should treat their sorority bill just as important as they would a utility bill. They may not like it while they are an undergraduate student, and I probably make them mad when I call them out for sporting a new purse when their sorority bill is past due and then I tell them they won't be attending the social function at the end of the week if they don't get their bill paid. I've worked HARD for my reputation as a hard-@$$. There are other advisors who play the role of "good cop." I'm usually bad cop, and I prefer it that way because that's what I'm good at. Am I intentionally mean or ugly? No, but I'm not going to sugarcoat things, and I'm NOT going to Bless Your Heart. One of the best things about a sorority is learning valuable life skills, and I figure it's my duty to teach you NOW what the consequences of poor financial choices are. If you don't pay your electricity bill, your power will get cut off. If you don't pay your sorority bill, your membership privileges will be revoked. It's the same principal.

Other than that.... I simply try to do the right thing. Nothing to think about, no lies to keep up, no "calculated explanations" for why you did something a certain way because you simply tell the truth and do the right thing.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2015 9:38 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 May 2015 21:38:05 -0400

Your reputation is a direct reflection of your actions. Same goes for an OER/NCOER, I do not work for them, they work for me. I do not think how people will view something I do or if it will go on my report card. If you do the right thing and are consistent, everything will follow.

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made May 10 at 2015 9:48 PM

LTC Bink Romanick — Sun, 10 May 2015 21:48:48 -0400

Yes your reputation precedes you. As far as rally point goes......A word of advice..... "Even a fish wouldn't get in trouble if he didn't open his mouth"

If I was still on active duty (I'm retired for 15years) I'd sure has he'll be careful what I said here.

Oops I said hell I forgot that this is the new praying Army.

Response by COL Charles Williams made May 10 at 2015 11:15 PM

COL Charles Williams — Sun, 10 May 2015 23:15:16 -0400

In my branch, from Major on, it was all about your reputation. You were recognized by name from then one. That can be a good thing, if you are good. It can be not so good, if you are not so good. That said, all did/do every day is my very best. I let my actions and results speak for me.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 1:05 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 May 2015 01:05:00 -0400

I don't think a person should walk on eggshells and you are who you are. But you probably should give some consideration to how you are perceived. It also doesn't help if someone states false allegations about you. Starts you digging out of a hole. I would say those still active should be careful and think before posting. Could save you a lot of future anguish.

Response by SGT Justin Lamb made May 11 at 2015 2:24 AM

SGT Justin Lamb — Mon, 11 May 2015 02:24:57 -0400

Sir,
I'm not as worried about it because if someone with a bunch of friends doesn't like me because i sneezed funny, then he bad mouths me, i'm screwed until i can prove all of whom he told wrong. I keep my eyes on the mission and let the ones around me see for themselves. I'm dont go out of my way to impress anyone. I take care of Soldiers and get the job at hand done, then go onto the next fun mission. I see a reputation is a point of view on how another sees you. If that person happens to not like you than your rep will be shadowed anyways.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 5:08 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 May 2015 05:08:44 -0400

You get one chance to make a first impression.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 6:49 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 May 2015 06:49:13 -0400

I have already posted a thought about this, but I was thinking more about it and a few more thoughts came to mind. I have mentioned a couple of times that there are a few things that I NEVER put in open forum. I do not speak openly for example about POTUS, my Chain of Command etc. The reason? Not because I don't have opinions, or feelings but because I KNOW the policies and regulations regarding social media. If someone decides to dig deep enough or far enough to find enough, then problems can be caused and you may not have actually MEANT these comments to be anything more than a comment. I try to make sure that I am carrying myself as professional a possible in the forums just the same as if I were talking to whomever it is face to face, meaning I address Officers with a Sir or their rank, anyone that outranks me in my NCO corps with their rank and my peers and below with respect. The same way that I treat people in my day to day. Don't get me wrong, I am not some sweet super nice guy. I am not lovable, huggable, and everyone wants to be my friend kind of guy, I am just me. I run my Platoon with the end game goal being that all of my troops are bettered at the end of my time leading them. I would HOPE that I am able to contribute things in these forums the same way. As I mentioned in my last post, THIS is how I try to ensure that my reputation precedes me in a positive way IF it is going to. If it never does, then at least I lay my head down at night and know that I did things the right way.

Response by SPC Chelsea Fernandez made May 12 at 2015 9:01 PM

SPC Chelsea Fernandez — Tue, 12 May 2015 21:01:56 -0400

Since im affiliated with the military my reputation is everything to me. I will never do anything that would make my reputation bad and looked upon as a Soldier. I watch what I post on social media especially nowadays you see young girls posting half naked pics on facebook, IG, etc. We all should hold ourselves to a higher standards when not in uniform.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2015 9:06 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 May 2015 21:06:12 -0400

Although the 915A/E field is larger than most MOS's, I have ran into Warrant Officers that I have either taken over for or vice versa and we always know a handful of mutual 915's of various ranks. Same goes for the O-grades, I have ran into several MAJ's through MG's who have worked with other Officers that I have worked with too. Only advice that I have to offer is to work hard for your boss, do your best to improve your professional skills and continue to build positive relationships with fellow Warrant Officers, Officers, NCO's and Soldiers.

Response by SGT John Wesley made May 24 at 2015 9:54 PM

SGT John Wesley — Sun, 24 May 2015 21:54:58 -0400

Your reputation does precede you! Whether in the military or civilian world. My MOS was very small and everyone knew you or knew of you, so I always attempted to maintain a positive reputation.

In my life in the civilian world, I remind my guys that it really is a small world and word of mouth will bite you if you don't leave a good reputation.

My best advice is, even if you despise who you work for or what your doing, do your best til you find another job.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 28 at 2015 3:45 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 15:45:22 -0400

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member You should just hope nobody asks me about you.

Response by SGT Rick Ash made Sep 28 at 2015 7:41 PM

SGT Rick Ash — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 19:41:33 -0400

I was in Sales for 31 years selling high end hardware/software solutions that were tailored to a specific business problem within one client. I made sure to take all recommended classes and the follow up certification testing for over 30 vendors. My biggest product lines were HP, IBM, Cisco and all of the major server/storage/security vendors. By leaving a good impression on the vendors I was introduced to companies that ended up being my customer for 25 years. I always did my best to be ready for that first meeting with a new customer. If I left a good impression on the first visit it made all the follow on meetings easier to get. By any measure my 31 year career was very successful.
Growing up my father always told me that "The last thing a person sees when you walk away is the back of your shoes" To this day I shine whatever I am wearing out in public that day whether it's dress shoes, casual shoes or nice "H&H" or "Ariat" or "Justin" cowboy boots. A lot of the boyz at church call me "Mr. Shiny Shoes".... :-)