Is RallyPoint supposed to replace the chain of command and NCO support channel?

I agree with your post but this is a complicated issue. I feel that maybe we as leaders do fail when this happens but we must remember that those posting are o a different generation. Their lives revolve around social media. They go where they feel most comfortable and that is social media.
I am not completely sure how I feel hit part of the problem may be that senior people respond to these posts with advice. This is both good and bad. Part of me wants to say that the only reaponse should be "take it to your chain or support chain". But, remember these young soldiers live on their phones and social media. It will be interesting to see how this type of issue plays out over the next few years.

This will never change the CoC. However, they may feel comfortable speaking their minds in a forum where they won't be judged and where people actually LISTEN to them.

I would say supplement your chain of support. There are many of us who will look at problems differently, thus the solutions might be different.

No I am not sure they are being lazy but if someone is willing to go out there and get some insight from a few NCO's how can that be a bad thing? I agree that if a younger enlisted needs guidance should definitely seek advise from his/ her first leader but we have all known a few first line leaders that fell short on mentorship.

MSG (Join to see) There could be any number of reasons why an E2 would ask a 'simple' question on RP or a SM would relate a 'raw deal' or personnel problem seeking counsel which might otherwise come from the COC. Rather than shut these folks down I think the attitude here is to take the question at face value and try to provide a good response. At the same time we should also add the advice to make the same inquiry within their COC and suggest the person or position who is more likely to know the answer and give them straight advice. There seems to be a number of such questions coming from reserve or NG units where troops live a distance from their units and only see the units on a monthly basis.

This question poses several interesting observations.

I'm a member of a Facebook group designed for Air Force E-9s (Chiefs) to answer questions in a "virtual online panel" type forum. As I read some of the questions, they would seem to support your point; some are perhaps questions with answers available through either individual research or using the chain of command. But, these Airmen are getting steered that way in many responses as well. Some of the Chiefs (and other SNCO subject-matter experts) are not very polite when they tell the OP to "look it up" or to "ask your supervisor." Some, on the other hand, provide links and thoughtful interpretation the young Airmen may not be able to get from their SSG who may be unavailable or less experienced.

I think social media is changing the way our young warfighter (of all branches) communicate. Is it relpacing the chain of command? I don't think so. Not if the chain of command, especially first-line supervisors, are involved in the lives of their troops. Are those asking questions just being lazy? Good question SFC--and you know, probably some are and some aren't and we can usually tell the difference, right? ;-)

I have responded a few times here in the last month that you just hit with an 8 pound sledge.

I can hardly believe some of the questions are asked on here that should be asked of team leaders, or even assistant squad leaders, if they have those anymore, even a squad leader should be queried about these posts first.

It's the sign of the newest generation that have no respect for their leadership, AND a failure of the leadership within the platoon to not give a briefing about RP, I was in during a period when computers came bursting on the scene and was given OPSEC briefings from the very beginning about what you put online and where.

Now on the other side of the coin, if a Soldier has already exhausted ALL resources at his disposal, then I agree this would be a forum to get information.

As an E5 section sergeant I was asked a question by an OC during an NTC rotation. I had to be honest, the training manual didn't give the answer to the question. So the OC said he would find the answer and mail me the info, I thought ok, this won't happen. It took that OC about a month to find the answer, but he did snail mail me a copy of the FM, and newest TM that answered the question.

Now I understand that not every question can be screened but there should be a response from, maybe there should be a first comment asking "Did you ask your COC before posting this question?".

Maybe I'm just old fashioned about this whole deal.

Although I Only Served 4 Years,
I Was In Management For FMC, Then Self Employed For 27 Years Before Retiring.
I Think I Can Safely Say "Leadership Is Sadly Lacking, Both IN And OUT Of The Service"
Many Don't Lead With Confidence,Therefore Get Little Respect.
THIS Can Easily Lead To The Enlisted Lower Ranks To NOT Go To Them For Advise...
Simply Not Confident In Their Leaderships Ability To Give The Proper Advise..

Unfortunately, I think it is primarily leadership that is lacking actual leadership on a fairly epic level.

RECENTLY I assisted a SM get a medical extension because his unit, chain of command and the medical providers had all FAILED him. It took a great deal of frustration and dealing with people and providers who refused to do their jobs, to get there but finally THANKFULLY we were in front of the General on his FINAL day in the Army (no longer his final day --- he is now extended and awaiting his MEB ) (story is shared
I have often heard stories from other SM's who have had COC's who they feared for reasons of retaliation. If they took a LEGITIMATE issue to them, quite often that COC had a field day with the soldier and would begin to ostracize them.
SM's (especially JR. Enlisted) need to understand that simply because someone says that is the way it is done, does not make it right.
This has carried over into the civilian work force that supports those commands, treating soldiers as if they are an annoyance or a nuisance. It truly is disturbing to see.

calling someone lower enlisted people is probably why people complain about their command...