Is it me or is this site Active Duty/Army Reserve-heavy? How do we make the National Guard feel included? Do we even bother?

1SG Michael Blount — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 08:41:56 -0500

I'm of two minds. On the one hand, I'd like to see an all-inclusive site. I started in the Army National Guard, it has some great Soldiers and NCOs and their voices should be heard, too. On the other hand, I'm wondering if the site would get overwhelmed.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2014 8:50 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 08:50:24 -0500

1SG I don't think there are enough contributors on RP as a whole regardless of branch or affiliation. I always see the same names commenting on, responding to, or posting discussions. To answer your question 1SG I'm not quite sure how we could get the word out. I've invited all my military friends of Facebook and I talk to people in my unit about joining RP but beyond that I'm not sure what else we can do. I actually posted a similar discussion asking the older SMs if they encourage their subordinates to join RallyPoint and it didn't get a lot of attention. The National Guard is still a part of the military so they should have the same opportunity to learn on here that I do.

Response by SPC Christopher Smith made Feb 11 at 2014 11:15 AM

SPC Christopher Smith — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 11:15:45 -0500

Just like any other social media site, you have your early birds, looking for the next best thing, and wanting to put an early stamp on it. Then you have the sheep, they look from afar and worry about is this thing real, or is it a scam. As time goes on and more people are talking about what they heard a CSM/COL/GEN say on RP, around the water cooler, more people will look into it. Word of mouth is the cheapest and most effective marketing strategy. Add in the ability to pick the brains of your superiors and in some cases debate a topic (respectfully of course), people will wander into the pot.

To answer the original question, I say this, a think tank should always be about quality, but if you limit yourself to like minded people how do you truely consider yourself solving anything? I do not think having a strong NG presence would overwhelm the site, but would give higher ups a good ability to understand how to better intergrate and include these units in future endevors.

Response by CH (CPT) Heather Davis made Feb 11 at 2014 11:31 AM

CH (CPT) Heather Davis — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 11:31:57 -0500

1SG(P) Blount:

Respectfully, it is imperative that we provide acceptance, professionalism, and reach out to all services.

1. The other service's perspective is shared and by creating dialogue, we create connection.

2. Rally Point, is a place where all service members regardless of rank, service, can feel heard, and accepted.

3. Those that have served are able to pass on wisdom to the next generation.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2014 12:08 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 12:08:33 -0500

I think reserve and guard status personnel are missing out
on some opportunity by not participating on this site. Here is one thing that may encourage them to
join. I actively search this site for
Veteran status, Guard status, and Reserve status individuals for the purpose of
hiring them in the civilian sector.
Shouldn't that be a good enough reason to put your name out there?

Response by CPT Mike M. made Feb 12 at 2014 8:18 AM

CPT Mike M. — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 08:18:17 -0500

Are their numbers *proportionately* lower than the active and reserve sections? Rhetorical question I know but with many more people being active and/or reserve than in the guard, you'd have to come to expect to see similar ratios of personnel on here.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 27 at 2014 4:25 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 16:25:28 -0500

1SG,

I found this site by accident. Since then I have told my peers, subordinates and superiors about it. I see a lot of NCO's from the Guard on here. I believe it starts there. NCO's introducing the site to their subordinates and showing them the knowledge and resources available through utilizing this site.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2014 11:15 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 23:15:14 -0400

I guess I don't count. :(

Response by SSG John Jensen made Apr 24 at 2015 2:26 AM

SSG John Jensen — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 02:26:08 -0400

7 years Army, 22 years Cal Guard, and 19 of those guard years were also full-time technician

Response by CMSgt Robert Remel made Sep 17 at 2015 2:43 PM

CMSgt Robert Remel — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 14:43:54 -0400

Hard, when I really had no home to go back to after 32 years ! The Guard troops get to stay at home. Live on the Gulf Coast of Florida instead of Arkansas . CMSgt Bob Remel. 100% Combat Disabled Vietnam Veteran.

Response by 1SG VonErick Trim made Sep 17 at 2015 11:06 PM

1SG VonErick Trim — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 23:06:29 -0400

I am retired now but during my time, i have seen a dramatic change from the guard before Desert Storm and now. Four overseas deployments and I have seen the National Guard transform. There are good and bad across components. That is why it is so important for NCOs, both junior and senior and staff, maintain a high standard for discipline and performance. Politics will wain in the support of the Guard and Reserve but we must stay ready. We will be called on once again...soon.

Response by SFC James Barnes made Sep 30 at 2015 7:05 PM

SFC James Barnes — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:05:20 -0400

Army National Guard is already here and were not all quiet.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 30 at 2015 9:41 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 21:41:36 -0400

We tend not ID our components. We can absorb them all!