Posted on Aug 30, 2014
IDENTITY THIEF? Why do some users hide/shield their identities?
11.3K
95
48
4
4
0
DEAR ANONYMOUS: What is the reasoning behind using a professional, social media platform, such as RallyPoint, and hiding/shielding who you are?
Whether you hide a profile picture, have a picture of someone else, or shield parts of your names, what's the benefit?
EVERYONE ELSE: How do you feel about this practice?
Personally, I find this unprofessional and have no interaction with these people (personal choice).
Would love to hear from both sides...maybe my (or someone else's) opinion can be swayed.
Whether you hide a profile picture, have a picture of someone else, or shield parts of your names, what's the benefit?
EVERYONE ELSE: How do you feel about this practice?
Personally, I find this unprofessional and have no interaction with these people (personal choice).
Would love to hear from both sides...maybe my (or someone else's) opinion can be swayed.
Posted in these groups: 
Anonymous
Anonymous
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 18
7
7
0
I don't see the big deal. Not everyone's comfortable with the overly-social aspects of social media. Not everyone wants people knowing every last detail about them. I share what I want to share, and for the rest, I'm fine with saying that it's "Noneya."
I don't see how it's unprofessional to choose what you want to show on social media. I do question the professionalism of criticizing people for what information they choose to share, as if we have some sort of RIGHT to it.
I don't see how it's unprofessional to choose what you want to show on social media. I do question the professionalism of criticizing people for what information they choose to share, as if we have some sort of RIGHT to it.
(7)
(0)
I agree with a lot of what you are saying SGM Matthew Quick. For all the members out there who are concerned about getting punished somehow IAW UCMJ (or some other reason) -- I would note out that we have some of the most senior service members (both enlisted and officer) from all the branches here on RallyPoint. For example, the seniormost enlisted leader in the ENTIRE US Army Reserve SGM Luther Thomas is on RallyPoint with his date of rank, photo, etc.
Having said all this, however, I do respect every member's right to choose which types of information/photos to include in their profile. For some people, being able to limit certain information may be a compelling value proposition for RallyPoint vs. another community, and I can respect that. Enabling this was a clear decision by the RallyPoint team upfront, which supports that point as well.
Having said all this, however, I do respect every member's right to choose which types of information/photos to include in their profile. For some people, being able to limit certain information may be a compelling value proposition for RallyPoint vs. another community, and I can respect that. Enabling this was a clear decision by the RallyPoint team upfront, which supports that point as well.
(6)
(0)
LCDR (Join to see)
The most senior service members also don't really have to worry about blowback for what they write. Their example really isn't very useful to an E-1.
(2)
(0)
CPT Aaron Kletzing
LCDR (Join to see) - right, I agree with you. I intended for that scenario to be relevant to individuals of any rank who may think, "If I use the RallyPoint social network and say what unit I am in, I am going to get into trouble with my chain of command."
(1)
(0)
LCDR (Join to see)
CPT Aaron Kletzing - Specifically, "am I likely to trigger the 'perpetually offended' member of my unit, and get accused of creating a hostile work environment, or some other nebulous charge?"
(0)
(0)
4
4
0
Until I was pushed into retirement, my electronic footprint was next to non existence due to my view of OPSEC, COMSEC, etc.
Once I needed to started looking for civilian employment I had to make myself visible to the world. Of course, I utilize various things (such as Lifelock) and other means to attempt to remain secure (which in our current state of technology is next to impossible). Once I decided to become a visible commodity to the world - I took the uncertain chance of not being a victim of the unscrupulous individuals on the web.
I hoped that here on RallyPoint that everyone was of an ethical and professional nature and mindset. I welcomed the chance to speak about issues with members of all ranks and the chance to get advice on various matters that someone might have more knowledge of.
In my opinion, this site has been a welcome addition to help military members with various issues and the promotion of goodwill. Plus, a lot of members are also on LinkedIn which helps with the transition process into the civilian realm.
I do understand the idea about repercussions of things said - there are still pockets of 'the good ole boy' mentality at various bases (which is sad). Until I was retired, I didn't feel able to make certain references to real life examples of leadership situations I had been exposed to or endured without the possibility of repercussions. Being retired, I no longer have that looming over my head - so I feel I can address issues or give examples (without using names of course).
Once I needed to started looking for civilian employment I had to make myself visible to the world. Of course, I utilize various things (such as Lifelock) and other means to attempt to remain secure (which in our current state of technology is next to impossible). Once I decided to become a visible commodity to the world - I took the uncertain chance of not being a victim of the unscrupulous individuals on the web.
I hoped that here on RallyPoint that everyone was of an ethical and professional nature and mindset. I welcomed the chance to speak about issues with members of all ranks and the chance to get advice on various matters that someone might have more knowledge of.
In my opinion, this site has been a welcome addition to help military members with various issues and the promotion of goodwill. Plus, a lot of members are also on LinkedIn which helps with the transition process into the civilian realm.
I do understand the idea about repercussions of things said - there are still pockets of 'the good ole boy' mentality at various bases (which is sad). Until I was retired, I didn't feel able to make certain references to real life examples of leadership situations I had been exposed to or endured without the possibility of repercussions. Being retired, I no longer have that looming over my head - so I feel I can address issues or give examples (without using names of course).
(4)
(0)
4
4
0
RallyPoint respects each individuals right to put as much or as little detail in their profile as that person feels necessary and that is commendable. I posted a similar question a while back about interacting with "anonymous" members and the consensus seemed to sway towards wanting people to identify themselves here. IMHO, there is no need to hide for fear of judgment or retribution here as it's a discussion forum. Those that have stepped over the line and abused their privileges here have been dealt with accordingly. I think having a picture and a real name helps everyone to feel comfortable, as I'm sure those that met up at RPX can probably attest to when finally meeting face to face. I also feel it helps keep the site at the professional level it has been maintained at all this time.
(4)
(0)
3
3
0
I know a number of people who work in military intelligence who simply do not put themselves anywhere online. Nothing that can identify them. They say it's beneficial in maintaining top secret clearance.
(3)
(0)
SGM Matthew Quick
MAJ (Join to see), so why would those individuals be on this site in the first place?
(1)
(0)
Suspended Profile
SGM Matthew Quick. Actually, we have met some rather potentially interesting colleagues on this site . . . and we have placed a few with other interested collaborating government organizations . . . not in any business capacity . . . and at no cost to anyone . . . simply for the good feeling it generates. Warmest Regards, Sandy
MSgt (Join to see)
Personally I believe being validated as serving, veteran or retired is more important.
(1)
(0)
MAJ (Join to see)
SGM Matthew Quick Good point. Wasn't considering that we all actually use our real names vs other sites that use aliases.
(0)
(0)
3
3
0
What's the benefit? Voicing an opinion and not being disregarded because of arbitrary factors. People of relatively low ranks can have valuable input, but have the content of their message disregarded or marginalized simply because the person reading doesn't feel that someone with relatively little experience could possibly have something of import to say.
Simply put, it lets the anonymous users comments stand on its own merits.
Personally, I think anyone who ignores those who wish to remain anonymous is the problem, not the anonymous users themselves.
Simply put, it lets the anonymous users comments stand on its own merits.
Personally, I think anyone who ignores those who wish to remain anonymous is the problem, not the anonymous users themselves.
(3)
(0)
2
2
0
SGM Quick,
If you were a private who was disrespected and treated horribly by your unit daily, you would probably want to vent your frustration about the unit, the army, etc.. without fear of reprisal. That's why a couple people do it.
I am also sure there are some who disagree with the majority on certain topic's but will not disagree with their own name (to avoid being ostracized).
If you were a private who was disrespected and treated horribly by your unit daily, you would probably want to vent your frustration about the unit, the army, etc.. without fear of reprisal. That's why a couple people do it.
I am also sure there are some who disagree with the majority on certain topic's but will not disagree with their own name (to avoid being ostracized).
(2)
(0)
SGT (Join to see)
Understood Sergeant Major. That's why I said that a similar analogy could be used here, not that it fit exactly.
My point was that given that combat situation I would not consider that cowardice. By that same token I would not consider it cowardice when a service member acts in a manner to shield themselves from the wrath of senior leadership. This is not to say that this is an excuse for the service member to be blatantly disrespectful or act in a manner that would otherwise bring UCMJ down upon them, but some opinions and venting that are otherwise kosher could still be detrimental to a persons career.
To bring this full circle, I do not view this hypothetical service member as displaying cowardice for remaining anonymous, I view them more in lines of displaying a "tactical retreat" mindset.
My point was that given that combat situation I would not consider that cowardice. By that same token I would not consider it cowardice when a service member acts in a manner to shield themselves from the wrath of senior leadership. This is not to say that this is an excuse for the service member to be blatantly disrespectful or act in a manner that would otherwise bring UCMJ down upon them, but some opinions and venting that are otherwise kosher could still be detrimental to a persons career.
To bring this full circle, I do not view this hypothetical service member as displaying cowardice for remaining anonymous, I view them more in lines of displaying a "tactical retreat" mindset.
(0)
(0)
SGM Matthew Quick
I would not equate (or use a similar analogy) for combat operations and masking ones identity.
This topic has gotten slightly off topic. I'll try to revise the topic for clarity.
This topic has gotten slightly off topic. I'll try to revise the topic for clarity.
(1)
(0)
SGT Suraj Dave
SGM Quick,
This is a .com website. Not a .mil or .gov. This is not AKO, the USG does not routinely monitor all of our correspondence on here. The only way you could get someone in trouble, is by looking at their profile and figuring out who they are, then calling their CoC. Even then, that is completely un-necessary.
I also stay by what I said. Them venting their frustration IS NOT cowardice. I am sure the privates would love to say things directly to you, but you can take their money away, they may have a family to support.
You call them cowards, but when they ever stand up to you, what will you do SGM? Call their Chain of Command? And then what? UCMJ? Maybe, just maybe, their complaining was justified. I was once in a majority female unit (as a PFC) I was discriminated against and treated different due to my gender. No matter how many times I said something, no one cared. Once I posted it on facebook, then my leadership wanted to solve problems and talk to me. I am a firm believer that if your CoC is treating you horribly, you should have the right to be heard and listened to. Have you heard of the facebook page U.S. Army W.T.F moments? I remember an incident where the soldiers at Ft. Polk were complaining of the water coming out of the sinks black an brown. Ofcourse the housing NCO lives off post, he could really care less. Those soldiers kept trying to get someone to fix their problems, but to no avail. All the sudden the send some videos of barracks room sinks shooting out black water.... to the U.S. Army W.T.F moments page. It went viral, 1000's of shares. Magically it started getting fixed the next day and the soldiers were temporarily moved away. Why did the soldiers have to resort to that to begin with?
SGM, no one listens to our lower enlisted when they talk. People only listen to them when they get on Social Media.
About this time last year I was getting back from my final deployment. I was assigned to live in these Korean War era barracks. There were cock roaches everywhere, big ones. Dead and alive everywhere. Mold was all over. I told the housing NCO, he did not care. That night I went to bed and woke up to a cock roach the size of my index finger crawling up my face.... I could not believe I lived more sanitarily in a war zone then in Garrison. BDE Housing was not going to do anything for me, I know they didn't care. I only had one way to make the issue known, to take a bunch of photos of all he dead cock roaches and mold, then post it online.
Even a slum lord can get locked up for treating his tenants like that. Its appalling. My SNCO's did not think my issues were important, then I put it online and now everyone wants to help me fix the issue.
This is a re-curing theme. Leaders not listening to soldiers, then soldiers embarrassing the Army by posting it online. We need to start listening to the lower enlisted.
Also, SGM Quick. I meant no disrespect. I am just attempting to prove a point.
This is a .com website. Not a .mil or .gov. This is not AKO, the USG does not routinely monitor all of our correspondence on here. The only way you could get someone in trouble, is by looking at their profile and figuring out who they are, then calling their CoC. Even then, that is completely un-necessary.
I also stay by what I said. Them venting their frustration IS NOT cowardice. I am sure the privates would love to say things directly to you, but you can take their money away, they may have a family to support.
You call them cowards, but when they ever stand up to you, what will you do SGM? Call their Chain of Command? And then what? UCMJ? Maybe, just maybe, their complaining was justified. I was once in a majority female unit (as a PFC) I was discriminated against and treated different due to my gender. No matter how many times I said something, no one cared. Once I posted it on facebook, then my leadership wanted to solve problems and talk to me. I am a firm believer that if your CoC is treating you horribly, you should have the right to be heard and listened to. Have you heard of the facebook page U.S. Army W.T.F moments? I remember an incident where the soldiers at Ft. Polk were complaining of the water coming out of the sinks black an brown. Ofcourse the housing NCO lives off post, he could really care less. Those soldiers kept trying to get someone to fix their problems, but to no avail. All the sudden the send some videos of barracks room sinks shooting out black water.... to the U.S. Army W.T.F moments page. It went viral, 1000's of shares. Magically it started getting fixed the next day and the soldiers were temporarily moved away. Why did the soldiers have to resort to that to begin with?
SGM, no one listens to our lower enlisted when they talk. People only listen to them when they get on Social Media.
About this time last year I was getting back from my final deployment. I was assigned to live in these Korean War era barracks. There were cock roaches everywhere, big ones. Dead and alive everywhere. Mold was all over. I told the housing NCO, he did not care. That night I went to bed and woke up to a cock roach the size of my index finger crawling up my face.... I could not believe I lived more sanitarily in a war zone then in Garrison. BDE Housing was not going to do anything for me, I know they didn't care. I only had one way to make the issue known, to take a bunch of photos of all he dead cock roaches and mold, then post it online.
Even a slum lord can get locked up for treating his tenants like that. Its appalling. My SNCO's did not think my issues were important, then I put it online and now everyone wants to help me fix the issue.
This is a re-curing theme. Leaders not listening to soldiers, then soldiers embarrassing the Army by posting it online. We need to start listening to the lower enlisted.
Also, SGM Quick. I meant no disrespect. I am just attempting to prove a point.
(1)
(0)
LCDR (Join to see)
Before you start using the excuse that RP is a professional site, maybe you should look at some of the posts that go on here. This site can get as facebooky as any other.
In addition, junior members can vent in a professional way that still could expose them to undue fire.
It is unbecoming for one who has rank to belittle our junior troops for not choosing to play a game where the deck is strongly stacked against them, and the stakes are UCMJ high.
In addition, junior members can vent in a professional way that still could expose them to undue fire.
It is unbecoming for one who has rank to belittle our junior troops for not choosing to play a game where the deck is strongly stacked against them, and the stakes are UCMJ high.
(2)
(0)
1
1
0
There is no such thing as secure information on the internet. If you don't want strangers reading your information Don't put it out there. Also, Rally Point is a prime example of misusing identification. They constantly use my information to send out invites to people I never met! I have repeatedly asked them to stop this practice and yet to date it is still going on!
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
Am I the only one who is confused by the title of this topic? "Identity thief" and then goes on to talk about people who hide/shield their identity. Isn't that how people protect themselves from Identity thieves? I'm just saying. ;-)
What I do know is the guy in that picture is wearing an unauthorized PT hat.
What I do know is the guy in that picture is wearing an unauthorized PT hat.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
Those who choose to be anonymous here on rally point fear reprisal and repercussions from their unit. Soldiers feel they can't go their leadership and express their feelings with what's wrong with their platoon/company/battalion. I remember sitting outside the SRP building here in Ft Hood and there was a private standing next to the rail minding his own business. He leans over the rail to spit and his PSG[SFC] sees him from a distance and commences to berate him horribly. I just remember watching the whole thing thinking to myself that was not called for by no means. But back to my point, if that happened to that kid, then what do you think if he's says something on RP, FB, twitter or any other website about his unit? That unit is going to throw the book along with the weight of the world down on this kid. Not saying that is right but soldiers need to release their stress but they can't because they feel they can't talk to their leadership about their issues.
(1)
(0)
SGM Matthew Quick
Let's not confuse Facebook/Twitter with RallyPoint...this is a professional social media platform.
In your response, if done professionally, expressing feelings with what's wrong with their platoon/company/battalion and providing constructive feedback isn't a bad thing...it's when servicemembers act unprofessionally (again, keep that on Facebook/Twitter if they have to) that gets them in trouble.
I have yet to see a masked/hidden profile act unprofessionally...is this REALLY the reason behind a masked/hidden profile?
In your response, if done professionally, expressing feelings with what's wrong with their platoon/company/battalion and providing constructive feedback isn't a bad thing...it's when servicemembers act unprofessionally (again, keep that on Facebook/Twitter if they have to) that gets them in trouble.
I have yet to see a masked/hidden profile act unprofessionally...is this REALLY the reason behind a masked/hidden profile?
(1)
(0)
LCDR (Join to see)
If a Sailor has a bad chain of command - the reason he's venting in the first place - then maybe he has a bad chain of command in other ways, as well.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
-
Ask questionGet expert advice and
tips for your questions. -
Post updatePost pictures, personal updates, plans, or anything you like!
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google 
