How useful is RallyPoint once one leaves the service?

2017-04-23T13:04:38-04:00

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2017 1:07 PM

2017-04-23T13:07:59-04:00

Well, it can help you stay connect with like minded people who can still offer advice.

Response by Sgt William Biggs made Apr 23 at 2017 1:10 PM

2017-04-23T13:10:09-04:00

It's really great for staying connected and getting inside information from AMA's that are done on here. We've had Senators, Congressmen, and important military officials field questions. You can also look for jobs on here, so it's as useful as you make it.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2017 1:15 PM

2017-04-23T13:15:53-04:00

I would also add you have useful information that just might help our serving members. Just because you are no longer serving does don't mean you are of no value to other members.

Response by SFC Vince Dunlap made Apr 23 at 2017 1:23 PM

2017-04-23T13:23:03-04:00

Thanks for the early responses. It's just that I've barely used RP since leaving the Army, and I've seen others ask similar questions. Just wanted to get some input from others.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2017 1:30 PM

2017-04-23T13:30:04-04:00

Rp is just like any other source. It is only good if you use it.

When I left the military there was not even an internet.

I like RP because I gain knowledge for the wisdom of others.

Response by MSgt Ken "Airsoldier" Collins-Hardy made Apr 23 at 2017 1:55 PM

2017-04-23T13:55:49-04:00

SFC Vince Dunlap – Great Question, Sir! It was the reason MAJ Yinon Wiess co-founded RallyPoint (Trevor, 2013). And Dig this: The intrinsic value of RP is only realized by those who understanding first the 'notion' of a 'RallyPoint' and its relationship to an objective (Rosenthal, 2015), and then the notion of 'Networking' ("Network." n.d.). Practical post-service application of RP would be using the network as an Initial Rally Point (IRP) to coordinate the Veterans March on American See Link for more details: https://www.facebook.com/events/ [login to see] 09054/

"Network." (n.d). Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved April 23, 2017 from http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=network

"Network." (n.d). Berkeley FrameNet search results: Closest match is 'network'. Lexical unit search results: Closest match is 'network'. Retrieved April 23, 2017 from https://framenet2.icsi.berkeley.edu/fnReports/data/frameIndex.xml?frame=Network

Rosenthal, D. (2015, Aug. 21). What is an objective rally point? Retrieved from https://www.quora.com/What-is-an-objective-rally-point

Trevor. (2013, Apr. 29). Reporter - RallyPoint Profile. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0U9BCjSQ-uQ

Veterans March On: America - Castle Rock, CO

Veterans Walk: Veterans, Families of Veterans and Supporters of Veterans come out and walk in support of our awesome Veterans! Come and join us!

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Apr 23 at 2017 2:19 PM

2017-04-23T14:19:04-04:00

"Useful" is on a pretty broad spectrum. So if you're looking for MIL help informally outside the CoC, check. Transitioning, check. Job hunting, check. Riding hogs with COL Mikel J. Burroughs, check. Probably one of the strengths of RP is it's diversity of stuff that can help at any given time. Sometimes that same diversity clogs things up. Repetitive questions because members won't search RP or even Google/Wiki first comes to mind. But overall, if you're here and come back, RP did something for you.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Apr 23 at 2017 3:11 PM

2017-04-23T15:11:12-04:00

SFC Vince Dunlap Any Networking Tool is a Good Tool. I can't speak to as far as the Job Market but as a El Dorado Canyon Vet it was a Great Tool to Reconnect with Shipmates from that time PO2 Robert M. and CPO Allen D. (Al) B. as a Desert Strike Veteran it was a Great Tool to reconnect with PO1 Greg Mitchell as a OOD Inport of USS California CGN-36 it was a Great Tool to reconnect with PO2 Billy Cole My POOW that covered My Ass more than Once.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Apr 23 at 2017 3:28 PM

2017-04-23T15:28:47-04:00

SFC Vince Dunlap Amongst RP mbrshp are those of us who love the military for it's history, mission and the amazing service members we met in the military.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2017 3:29 PM

2017-04-23T15:29:21-04:00

SFC Vince Dunlap This can be a useful site for transitioning service members and veterans. Questions can be asked with great thoughtful answers provided by the members. RallyPoint allows us to connect with fellow veterans that have shared experiences. We also have the opportunity to mentor those that need our expertise, along with potential new recruits that can benefit from our knowledge.

Response by Capt Jeff S. made Apr 23 at 2017 5:12 PM

2017-04-23T17:12:48-04:00

If you look on RP, you can even find Snowflakes whining about politics. And you don't even have to look that hard to find them!!! Right SPC?

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Apr 23 at 2017 6:03 PM

2017-04-23T18:03:52-04:00

Well it all depends on how you define useful... Sure... I'm not worried about my uniform regulations or checking into a new command etc.

But... I get to keep in contact with service members past and present. I get to pass my knowledge/wisdom to those who might seek it.

It also allows me to stay in the loop regarding military related matters.

So for me, I find it very useful.

Response by PFC Jonathan Albano made Apr 24 at 2017 8:29 AM

2017-04-24T08:29:24-04:00

The short answer is very useful. It's good for finding job posting relevant to your MOS, it's a good place to ask for transition advice, its a good place to ask about veteran benefits and services, and the list goes on.

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Apr 24 at 2017 3:48 PM

2017-04-24T15:48:06-04:00

I left the Army in 2008 and started my civilian job in 2010 but did not hear about RP until 2016 crazy right? All these different social media sites trying to help me and I pushed them off, Never reading books or trying to get help with my resume because no one wanted to help, Thank you Rally Point members and COL. and crew because there are a lot of veterans out there who can not write resumes or covers letters because the system is F'ing broke and the Senior LEADERSHIP knows but the CSMA and the Chief Staff of the ARMY or Military won't do nothing about it. Our military is failing us everyday as we transition out into the civilian sector. TAPS and ACAP is JOKE really it is. It has done nothing for me, you know the key is, RALLY POINT completing you profile and networking with people you don't know because they spread the word, I meet wonderful people all over the world who help me and guide me in direction that ARMY would never thought of doing, I won't say I didn't learn anything in the ARMY hell yeah, and I got to travel as well. But thanks to RP things are going a lot smoother, I read better, I blog and I do social media and I keep in touch with my new friend and the world and the news. I was missing something for along time and I see young soldiers on her making comment about the government , big brother watching and you took and oath and remember someday your going have pick up your weapons and fight for your country if in this country or another country and you won't have your freaking cell phone with you.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Apr 24 at 2017 5:06 PM

2017-04-24T17:06:21-04:00

Define 'useful'?
SFC Vince Dunlap this type of resource is useful as you make it...like most things in life.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Apr 24 at 2017 5:12 PM

2017-04-24T17:12:06-04:00

SFC Vince Dunlap Like anything Vince you make RallyPoint what you want it to be. For me I've connected with some really great individuals from all the service branches, I've been able to help several through some PTSD, MST, and TBI issues, I've connected with some great members that have become members of the Board of Directors for Victory for Veterans that I Chiar. I've been asked to be on a Board for National Veterans Transition Service, Inc. A/K/A Reboot. I've worked hard to post some outstanding job opportunities for other veterans here on RP, and the list goes on. Its what you make it my friend. Let's get connected and get started. Thanks,

Response by MSgt Carl Stokes made Apr 24 at 2017 7:29 PM

2017-04-24T19:29:41-04:00

not really useful, but its nice to see whats going on and the issues that todays soldiers face, like the above about males wearing lipstick? This just didnt happen in my Army unless you passed out from drinking.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Apr 25 at 2017 10:11 PM

2017-04-25T22:11:51-04:00

Not sure... SFC Vince Dunlap as I found it after I retired...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2017 11:37 PM

2017-04-25T23:37:55-04:00

Rally Point has filled an empty void in my life since I've gotten out. I find myself surrounded by people that live in a comfortable box of no real knowledge of the outside world, except what they see on TV. Trying to talk to regular non military civilians is almost like talking to my kids. They look at me like what?

What I wouldn't give to recover one of the abandoned bases and turn it into just a living and working community of veterans. And those with civilians families that still like both worlds, give them the off base housings.

I bet this would eliminate a lot of issues in the life of a lot of vets. Until then, I'll keep to my little farm and all it's glory. Lol

Thank you RallyPoint and all of its creators and members for giving me and others something to look forward to again everyday.