Posted on Jun 24, 2015
Is it possible to make RallyPoint more appealing to enlisted soldiers?
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I asked in two more forums I belong to what the members (mostly enlisted) thought of Rallypoint and if they had heard of it. I expected to receive positive responses in return but what I received was that they had the opinion that Rallypoint is weighted with Officers and higher ranking NCOs and they didn't believe it would be of a benefit for them. I was disappointed to receive this response especially since this was the theme of the majority of responses.
RallyPoint
Enlisted
Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP)
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 23
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I have a lot of lower enlisted that I've connected with on purpose to show them that at the Colonel Level we are human, make mistakes, have opinions, do really care, are available to help them, and we can be very respectful of the fact that (rank shouldn't) matter as we discuss and post our opinions. I've had personal messages from some and I've even spoke with a few on the phone to help, coach, mentor, or provide "free" advice. I think it is the senior leadership (Officers and NCOs) that should be reaching out to the enlisted and encouraging them to participate on a regular basis. Just my two cents for today - great topic to bring up by the way CPT (Join to see)
I really liked the data that LTC Yinon Weiss provided as well. Thanks for your continuous involvement in RallyPoint!
I really liked the data that LTC Yinon Weiss provided as well. Thanks for your continuous involvement in RallyPoint!
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
PO3 Friend Wilkins You have definitely made my day and I'm glad that your morale is up. Let's keep it going in that direction with some very positive things each and every day. There may be some bumps along the way, but let's just fill them in and keep moving. Thanks for sharing your story about your Grandfather - he is watching down now and very proud of the direction you are taking!
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1.) There is a huge age/maturity/experience gap within the RP audience.
2.) RP is competing for attention from the "younger" members. There's an awful lot of other social media out there --I've been told that FB has already been ear-marked for "parents!"
3.) Most commands are encouraging vigilance when posting on social media.
To this, I would predict that many RP members prefer to passively participate.
2.) RP is competing for attention from the "younger" members. There's an awful lot of other social media out there --I've been told that FB has already been ear-marked for "parents!"
3.) Most commands are encouraging vigilance when posting on social media.
To this, I would predict that many RP members prefer to passively participate.
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LTC Yinon Weiss
Ironically, it is the most junior members who are most concerned about social media vigilance. The more senior members tend to have the experience to know what is ok and what is not, so many junior members tend to avoid everything just so they don't get in trouble.
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PO3 Pamala McBrayer
LTC Yinon Weiss I disagree. We are functioning in a surveillance state. There is an active “purge” going in…using SM to censure those who will not roll with new “woke” agendas. The thought police are particularly interested in our country’s military personnel.
With that being said, I am glad I am no longer in the military, and I wish I could say that I recommend military service. It is a noble undertaking, but it’s purpose has been dangerously undermined. It is increasingly political more so than about protecting this nation or its people. I am primarily concerned our government plans to use our military against civilians, the citizens who may disagree with our government, and coerce obedience by use of force.
With that being said, I am glad I am no longer in the military, and I wish I could say that I recommend military service. It is a noble undertaking, but it’s purpose has been dangerously undermined. It is increasingly political more so than about protecting this nation or its people. I am primarily concerned our government plans to use our military against civilians, the citizens who may disagree with our government, and coerce obedience by use of force.
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I personally like that fact that most of the time I am seeing responses from officers and NCO's because it shows that what I was taught about the senior enlisted and Officer ranks was true. That they do care about what does happen down here at the E-1-4 level.
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Just FYI - RallyPoint membership is currently 87% enlisted. Anybody can see the breakdown, including by pay grade, by using the People Search page on the desktop site, if you're curious: https://www.rallypoint.com/search
RallyPoint | Military Community Search
Find active Service Members and Veterans on RallyPoint through our Advanced Search
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
That sounds pretty close to total force breakdown. Without getting too much into the metadata, is RP's representation "close" to the force as a whole? I realize we will likely sway slightly higher just because of our vets.
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LTC Yinon Weiss
Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS - Yes, it's fairly close to the total force breakdown, with the exception of under representation of E-1 through E-3, though that is reasonable since many of them are still in basic and initial training, or focusing on other things in life.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
LTC Yinon Weiss The E-1 through E-3 isn't really surprising though. As E-2 & E-3 are essentially automatic in all services (E-4 in Army) and with Army being largest representation, the numbers will would naturally skew higher.
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CPT (Join to see)
Thanks for the information I will share it on the other sights I referenced. Hoping they will see their perception of RP is incorrect.
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CPT (Join to see) Ma'am, even though I'm a PFC, I'm 32 years old and my interest are way different than most of the Junior Enlisted. I would like to see more discussions where we could participate but, either lack of knowledge, experience or interest, there's too many discussions that our input wouldn't be of too much help. 1SG (Join to see) have tried to get us more involved here, thing that I appreciate, but the response hasn't been as big as it could be. MAJ Ken Landgren has also made his part but, I guess discussions related to the Junior Enlisted are not that appealing. Also, I've seen so many discussions lately that are more just looking for attention than for actual healthy discussions that I haven't been that active this month. To wrap up my response, check the "Trending Discussions" and just one is appealing to us, the rest...
P.S. There are more than 34K E-3, why the top influencers are always the same?
P.S. There are more than 34K E-3, why the top influencers are always the same?
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Give it time. RallyPoint is relatively new. I predict we will be listed as military education and then they will earn 1 promotion point for every 10,000 influence points.....lol?
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Correct me if I am wrong but isn't that the point? That we as O's and SNCOs are accessible to lend a hand and some pearls of wisdom when they hit a brick wall. Or are just curious about something that they do not want to run up their CoC?
Or want to kvetch about having CQ duty on Valentine's Day/2LT saluting a 1LT? ;)
--Kidding aside, as a HUGE proponent of mentoring, I am delighted being part of the RP community. I welcome all ranks and their questions. What I do not want to see is an overrun of FB-esque postings and the like.
Or want to kvetch about having CQ duty on Valentine's Day/2LT saluting a 1LT? ;)
--Kidding aside, as a HUGE proponent of mentoring, I am delighted being part of the RP community. I welcome all ranks and their questions. What I do not want to see is an overrun of FB-esque postings and the like.
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This is a great question, and there's probably a lot we can do both on the product side and as a community to lower the barrier for participation from more junior members. I look forward to reading everyone's insight on this!
We've had similar discussions before, not about what we can do, but why it is that they may not participate as much. There are some great comments in this one in particular: https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/why-does-it-seem-like-junior-enlisted-do-not-participate-on-rp-discussions
We've had similar discussions before, not about what we can do, but why it is that they may not participate as much. There are some great comments in this one in particular: https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/why-does-it-seem-like-junior-enlisted-do-not-participate-on-rp-discussions
Why does it seem like Junior Enlisted do not participate on RP discussions? | RallyPoint
Updated at 825 a.m. 16 May 15 The results show it is fear of influence from the senior military. So now my question is what is the issue her? Updated at 210 p.m. 14 May 15 Believe it or not the polls are pretty even. We have so many good comments and participation that all levels can learn something from. Take the time to read the comments and then give your input. Updated at 1040 a.m. 14 May 15 This is all great feedback so far keep it coming...
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The reason lower enlisted don't want to be here is because they cannot ask a question without someone running to their chain of command. I've seen this too many times on here. Instead of helping them, they get scolded for their questioning of their "leaders" or what not.
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