How would you feel about civilian authors on Command Post?

Kanika Misra — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 13:30:14 -0400

Sometimes we receive requests to publish pieces written by civilian authors with no prior military background but strong opinions or relevant experiences onto Command Post (http://www.rallypoint.com/command-post). In the past, writing pieces for CP has only been an option for active SMs and veterans. Should we open up the section to civilians as well, or leave it as-is?

Thanks for the feedback!

RallyPoint - The Professional Military Network

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jul 5 at 2016 1:34 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 13:34:07 -0400

I don't see why anyone shouldn't be able to "submit" something to the RP staff for possible publication.

Sometimes it will be applicable, sometimes it won't. Just like the Military Times (et al) or the Gannett Company (who owns the Army/Navy/Marine/AF times & USA) has writers who are not always military.

The goal is to promote discussion.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2016 1:46 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 13:46:50 -0400

The Command Post has the opportunity to review, suggest alternatives and ultimately publish/or not any submissions.

Therefore. I think the quality/relevance of the submission should be the deciding factor rather than who wrote it.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2016 1:51 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 13:51:11 -0400

I have no problem with it. As mentioned by SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" , this is not Facebook. I trust the RP Staff will ensure that the submittals are relevant to this site.

Response by MSG David Johnson made Jul 5 at 2016 2:17 PM

MSG David Johnson — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 14:17:57 -0400

The civilians you are speaking of must have some knowledge of the military if they know about CP

Response by Sgt William Biggs made Jul 5 at 2016 2:35 PM

Sgt William Biggs — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 14:35:20 -0400

I'd suggest they have one or two spots per month. CP should primarily be veteran or SM written, but an occasional post by a civilian should be welcome. It would be especially helpful if they were school officials, scholars, employers, or those that could provide serious benefit to the members that read and respond to the article.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jul 5 at 2016 2:49 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 14:49:49 -0400

I would say I need a fourth option. Torn, Part of me would love to keep everything here part of our own little clique/club of those that have served but another part of me welcomes any input we can learn from, Civilian or Military.

Response by MSgt Mike (Lobo VNV Original) Morrow made Jul 5 at 2016 3:51 PM

MSgt Mike (Lobo VNV Original) Morrow — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 15:51:13 -0400

I would say let civilians respond, monitor the response before posting.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Jul 5 at 2016 4:59 PM

SN Greg Wright — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 16:59:52 -0400

I have no problem with it if they're not anonymous (seems to be a thing these days). I would have a big problem with it if they wanted to remain anonymous. We have valuable Civilians who contribute, I see no reason they couldn't in this manner, as well.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jul 5 at 2016 5:00 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 17:00:18 -0400

I'm okay with non-veterans or active service members expressing opinions on RP as long as they are clearly identified as "Pure Civilians." I worked with many government employees and contractors who were pure civilians and found their opinions on military matters useful and sometimes quire refreshing. One way to get ideas that don't match the classical military thinking.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Jul 5 at 2016 5:20 PM

Capt Tom Brown — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 17:20:47 -0400

Kanika Misra Would not care to be bombarded with yet more political and cultural oped pieces strongly advocating for or against hot button emotional topics. Would like to see the type of piece taken from a professional journal which went toward enhancing a reader's professional or even technical knowledge about a topic. If the author is a fairly recognized legit subject matter 'expert' on an issue I would be interested to see what s/he objectively has to say for or against or about the issue.

Response by Cpl Dennis F. made Jul 5 at 2016 5:39 PM

Cpl Dennis F. — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 17:39:08 -0400

About the same as I feel about commissioning civilians into the military without experience. Bad idea.

Response by Maj Rob Drury made Jul 5 at 2016 11:30 PM

Maj Rob Drury — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 23:30:01 -0400

I dunno. How would you feel about fast-food burger flippers with strong opinions publishing in medical journals?

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2016 5:01 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Jul 2016 05:01:54 -0400

Do you mean "Resa WARCHICK Kirkland" . . . if so I wonder what would be the purpose.