Is RallyPoint Bridging the Gap between the different generations of veterans?

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 11:28:05 -0400

RP Members what do you think? Has RallyPoint found the secret to "Bridging the Gap" between those that have served at the pleasure of our country during peacetime, the Cold War, and those that have served in combat in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, & other locations throughout our military history.

Will it continue to close that gap as we move forward on 2016, 2017, & beyond?

Did RallyPoint find the secret ingredient?

I think it did!

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 23 at 2016 11:30 AM

PO1 John Miller — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 11:30:55 -0400

It is most definitely closing the gap. I've come to feel like I have a personal connection with many more "older" vets, particularly Korean, Vietnam, and Cold War vets.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2016 11:32 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 11:32:40 -0400

I learn from people of different generations daily, thanks to Rallypoint. I especially enjoy learning about IT and music from before my time.

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Jun 23 at 2016 11:34 AM

Sgt Tom Cunnally — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 11:34:04 -0400

I was NOT aware of any gap to be honest Col... And I am probably one of the oldest if not the oldest RP member...

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jun 23 at 2016 11:45 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 11:45:03 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs RallyPoint is good for those active duty service members and veterans who are: (1) net-savvy; (2) who enjoying spirited but moderated debate, (3) have a thick skin for inconsistent application of rules which change over time.
If they spent at least one tour in the military they should have already experienced "inconsistent application of rules which change over time."
One of the better places I have seen for veterans to connect is TogetherWeServed which is better at displaying information on individuals but harder to get involved in discussions than RallyPoint. LTC Stephen C.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jun 23 at 2016 11:45 AM

CPT Jack Durish — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 11:45:21 -0400

I would like to see categories explicitly set up to improve the connection between the generations and to have these categories more clearly delineated rather than just a "tag". Some suggestions: Serving Member Needs Help - subcategories could include Direct Support (someone living in the community to help with personal and family problems), Advice (of any kind). Another category could be Transitioning with subcategories for Relocating, Employment Opportunities, Referrals, Advice, Direct Support (as above). This would encourage younger members to ask and help older members see the need. I became an active veteran (joining veterans organizations and serving) to help other veterans as well as serving members. My wife an I are "professional" grandparents (very actively engaged in the lives of our grandchildren) and there's always room for more. That might even be a sub-subcategory of Direct Support. Young families separated from their extended families could use that kind of support, couldn't they?

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Jun 23 at 2016 12:07 PM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 12:07:06 -0400

I think the more we VETS of all times and all branches get together here we get to express our thoughts, ideas, who and how we are.
What it all boils down to is we VETS no matter if we served during war or peace time, we answered our nation's call. We all signed the dotted line and pledged to put our lives on the line in support an defense of our Country and Constitution. We respect each other and from what I've seen and read here will always support each other, no matter if we differ in political opinions, religions, or what, we are all BROTHER/SISTER-IN-ARMS. We understand each other and we don't have to prove a point. Yes, I think Rally Point is GOOD! For me, especially living OCONUS, away from all vets, here is where I can relate, talk, and continue to make friends. I am so glad for this site.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Jun 23 at 2016 12:09 PM

SN Greg Wright — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 12:09:22 -0400

Excellent post as usual, Colonel. I personally never felt distanced from other vets, but I certainly have made friends here!

Response by SGT Craig Northacker made Jun 23 at 2016 12:30 PM

SGT Craig Northacker — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 12:30:33 -0400

Veterans have historically been segregated by the US Government using a variety of techniques, dating back to the 100,000 veteran rally in DC. The government had only toyed with the veterans - one trick was to give bonds maturing in 1945 - pretty useless in 1925 or so. So the veterans got mad and descended on DC, where they were fired upon by the Army. There are 20 some odd million of us, and we have families. One voting block, or one consolidated and organized block of any kind is an absolute threat to our political friends, so using wars, times served, theaters of operations, etc, are simple devices meant to avoid a critical mass. That has tended to cause rifts, including among VSO's. Rally Point has deftly sidestepped these artificial divisive techniques by not being a government flunky or being constrained by federal funds. Well done, folks, on accomplishing your mission bringing us together as a community.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jun 23 at 2016 12:55 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 12:55:24 -0400

I get along great with those that served in 'Nam and Korea. And know a few that were in WWII.

Response by PO2 Robert Aitchison made Jun 23 at 2016 1:00 PM

PO2 Robert Aitchison — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 13:00:22 -0400

Any forum that allows different generations of veterans to interact will have that effect. RP is pretty good at it but it leaves the oldest veterans (WWII & Kiorea) mostly behind. Don't think I've ever seen a WWII vet here though I do have the pleasure of working with and meeting some on the USS Iowa.

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Jun 23 at 2016 1:24 PM

SSgt Terry P. — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 13:24:08 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs Interesting topic,Sir.For me RP has improved my understanding of the "New Military" to some extent.Since i have one son in the Marine Corps and another in the Army ,it helps me understand the military they deal with now.

Response by SGT Paul Mackay made Jun 23 at 2016 1:59 PM

SGT Paul Mackay — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 13:59:46 -0400

yes

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2016 2:10 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 14:10:29 -0400

I have always felt time doesn't matter between veterans. Except for the generation before always had it tougher! LOL!

Response by SP5 Mark Kuzinski made Jun 23 at 2016 3:41 PM

SP5 Mark Kuzinski — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 15:41:41 -0400

I do see a resurgence but as stated, more needs to be done. We have all but lost the greatest generation and now it's time for us baby boomers to show the way - anyway will do.

Response by PO3 William Garner made Jun 23 at 2016 4:08 PM

PO3 William Garner — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 16:08:10 -0400

Hard for me to say at this point as I've just started being active here. I'm still finding my way around.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jun 23 at 2016 5:22 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 17:22:57 -0400

I don't know about Bridging the Gap but it shows that past and present Military Members are not of one Monolithic Mind set and that is a good thing.

Response by MSgt Zachary Wiederstein made Jun 23 at 2016 5:35 PM

MSgt Zachary Wiederstein — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 17:35:35 -0400

I think no entity can bridge the gap because the services change so much from one generation to the next. We all have the service in common with one another but because of the rapid changes from one gen to the next it is difficult for the new gen to relate to previous generations and probably even more difficult for the previous to relate to the current. How many times have you heard "back in my day" stories. SMs attitudes and opinions are all based on the times they served and are often unrelatable to the current situation. Case in point: saw a young SM PCSing to Kadena and wanted some info about Okinawa. A retired SM talked about how it was when he was there...in 1973. No way that information was timely, relevant, or accurate to the young SM. In conclusion I respect and admire the previous generations SMs. It's great to listen to their stories but unfortunately the services have changed so much that it doesn't quite feel like we're even serving the same service a lot of the time.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Jun 23 at 2016 5:47 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 17:47:04 -0400

Personally, I believe it has. Here we have a place where Veterans of all ages are able to sit down and have a civil discussion about anything whether it be past service or current events. We have different ranks coming together and communicating equally. I've engaged in discussions with senior enlisted, officers, and even the junior troops. We have active duty as well so we can still perform our duty of shaping the future leaders of the military by sharing experiences, providing wisdom and guidance.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jun 23 at 2016 5:51 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 17:51:36 -0400

Yes, it is amazing how similar our experiences were.

Response by ENS Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2016 1:28 AM

ENS Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jun 2016 01:28:19 -0400

I think so!

Response by 1SG James Lampe made Jun 24 at 2016 7:05 AM

1SG James Lampe — Fri, 24 Jun 2016 07:05:02 -0400

Yes, it's closing the gap, but as with many things there will always be room for improvement. I believe CPT Durish is spot on with his recommendations and reasoning.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2016 2:35 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jun 2016 14:35:16 -0400

I haven't been on RallyPoint for very long at all, but I have noticed a few things.

1. If you have a fairly straight-forward question, it will likely be answered to the best of the community's ability.
2. There is a huge disparity in terms of demographics (i.e. it's mostly veterans, retirees, and those with rank)
3. There are two kinds of debates; helpful and heated. There is seldom in-between.

In conclusion, RallyPoint is helping to bridge the gap when it's something people can agree on, opinions can often overshadow facts however, when older veterans/retirees put on their rose-tinted-glasses and mock the current generation.

I hope this helps add some perspective from the Junior Enlisted side of things.

Response by Kim Bolen RN CCM ACM made Jun 25 at 2016 9:52 AM

Kim Bolen RN CCM ACM — Sat, 25 Jun 2016 09:52:18 -0400

I as a civilian, have had the honor to "peek through the looking glass", so to speak. I can not answer for the Veterans. What I have observed on this site is nothing short of miraculous. Yes, I do believe it has "Bridged the Gap". For instance, my Dad USMC Korea loves Stephens Civil war Posts. My Dad is not on here, but through me, he can see. I prefer this site to many others, so for me it has bridge a gap as well, but not entirely. There is so much I need to learn.

Response by SPC Christopher Simpson made Jun 28 at 2016 3:38 AM

SPC Christopher Simpson — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 03:38:57 -0400

i find it to be of great help. it has helped me understand that differences from one time period to to another, and also ow much the military has a whole has changed.

Response by MSgt Richard Rountree made Jun 28 at 2016 9:59 PM

MSgt Richard Rountree — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 21:59:31 -0400

I find it refreshing to be able to discuss a number of topics with people who've served across several generations. It's also disconcerting to realize that in many ways that today's military thinking has been hobbled by the shackles of political correctness. Bottom line for me is I'm very impressed with RP so far.