Interacting on RP with like minded individuals is somewhat therapeutic, anyone else have the same experience?

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 23:44:29 -0400

More often than not, motivated like minded individuals can help pull you out of the proverbial funk.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2014 3:13 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 05 Oct 2014 03:13:58 -0400

Yes I agree MAJ Private RallyPoint Member very therapeutic. I'm also glad that the discussions are not always so serious. We all need a little laughter now and then.

Response by PO3 Shaun Taylor made Oct 5 at 2014 3:41 AM

PO3 Shaun Taylor — Sun, 05 Oct 2014 03:41:41 -0400

I've had the same experience. I'm very grateful for Rally Point and find myself always on here reading and learning something new.

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Oct 5 at 2014 4:24 AM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Sun, 05 Oct 2014 04:24:09 -0400

As long as the encounter is with someone of a like mind. I don't even mind if the discussion is at least with someone who s still looking for themselves or answers. However, I have run into hardliners on here that have frustrated me. While the those who lack compassion are few, when they strike it hurts. Sometimes it hurts worse because we believe they have shared our experiences and still refuse to see what we go through.

Response by Sgt Packy Flickinger made Oct 5 at 2014 5:10 AM

Sgt Packy Flickinger — Sun, 05 Oct 2014 05:10:43 -0400

Yes, very!! Its also very nice to get open and honest oppinions from other branches, other specialties and other ranks. There are a few local on here I'd like to have a beer with, if I ever get the damned time!!

Response by 1SG David Niles made Oct 5 at 2014 9:49 AM

1SG David Niles — Sun, 05 Oct 2014 09:49:20 -0400

I appriciated the open honest communication with out the imature bashing that you can see on other social media sights. Not that we can't be a little sarcastic at times...

Response by COL Randall C. made Oct 5 at 2014 11:47 AM

COL Randall C. — Sun, 05 Oct 2014 11:47:58 -0400

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member, couldn't agree more. In fact, I find it therapeutic interacting with those on RP regardless of their view. Some are absolutely set in their opinion (of course, we all get that way at times) while others are very open to having a discussion about topics.

Some of the best and most engaging discussions I've had on RP have been with those that don't agree with me, but are willing to engage in a civil discussion about why they have their view.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Oct 5 at 2014 11:57 AM

SGT Richard H. — Sun, 05 Oct 2014 11:57:04 -0400

Extremely therapeutic. There is a lot that goes on in the mind of a military person or vet that is only understood by the same. This helps fill those gaps for me.

Response by SSG Pete Fleming made Oct 5 at 2014 12:22 PM

SSG Pete Fleming — Sun, 05 Oct 2014 12:22:23 -0400

I thank Rally Point for its existence! It has been a huge help for me. I love the different discussions and personalities, though we see things from various perspectives, we have a similar root of understanding.

CPT Christopher Alexander, wish I had more thumbs to give...

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2014 2:02 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 05 Oct 2014 14:02:37 -0400

Yes. Thus far our Group Therapy sessions are meaningful...

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2014 3:16 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 05 Oct 2014 15:16:48 -0400

For me, talking to other members of the military is like talking to other scientists - they "speak your language". I can't talk to anyone like I can talk to military members and scientists. What civilians would get, "I'm going TDY to BAMC so I need to deal w/ DTS, then if I PCS I need to check my BAH or seek a retention".

Response by Cpl Glynis Sakowicz made Oct 5 at 2014 5:39 PM

Cpl Glynis Sakowicz — Sun, 05 Oct 2014 17:39:23 -0400

You are so right CPT Alexander! Lots of times, I've had a rotten day, that was only saved by the fact that I didn't need bail money or the need to get a few friends to help me hide a body, and I come home, turn on the computer and feel the onset of relaxation as I get a notice that someone has replied or voted up a comment.
Even the arguments on here, are well-thought out, concise, with a certain ammount of humor, as if all of us know that at this stage in the game, we've got more in common than most people, and it binds us together in ways they will never experience, which is... for them, kinda sad.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2014 10:55 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 05 Oct 2014 22:55:40 -0400

It is refreshing to say the least. You get to interact with some very unique people out there. I have come to view some here as friends as I have met some and can tell you some of their traits. I really hope RP is able to grow and spread out among all the services.

Plus, I am information junkie. I have now added this to one of my favorite sources of information.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Oct 5 at 2014 11:09 PM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Sun, 05 Oct 2014 23:09:56 -0400

Definitely works for me, just wish the forum would have been there earlier in my career as to expand my knowledge base and network even sooner in life. While not giving up on active duty in the near term, I will utilize you all for the rest of my days!

Response by Sgt Jennifer Mohler made Oct 6 at 2014 10:30 AM

Sgt Jennifer Mohler — Mon, 06 Oct 2014 10:30:55 -0400

I need this. This is my only adult interaction outside of online schooling. The only people I talk to face-face are my two and four year old. I don't have a working phone so I can't even talk to humans on the phone anymore.

While active duty you have to hold it in. You can't speak freely either because you have to be "the leader" or because you aren't allowed to speak against the leadership. Here you can just let it out. I value the group venting sessions on some threads, and the rest I value the adult discussion. In both areas it is invaluable to me that it is military. There is something different about military types vs civilians.

Sometimes I talk to adults at the gym, but I have to get them to take out their ear-buds first so I can ask "How the hell do you use this contraption, my paper says to use it". I also briefly talk to the adults in the child-watch to say "How were the boys" ... "Thanks!"

In short, this saves me from scrambling to find baby-sitting and gas resources that I don't have to get to a VA to maybe or maybe not get to talk to other vets, or to have them maybe or maybe not believe me or even care.