Is there a lack of gender diversity on RP?

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 19:24:26 -0500

Maybe because I'm new...I have yet to see any females or any one in the LGBTQ community comment in any of the discussions.

Unlike Reddit, Twitter, etc, the RP community is a relatively safe place for candid discussion.

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Feb 28 at 2016 7:31 PM

LTC Yinon Weiss — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 19:31:22 -0500

Women represent only about 1 in 7 of military members, so there are relatively few to begin with. Female membership of RallyPoint is not that much lower than that, but they appear to lurk a bit more than post. It is always good to encourage more diverse points of view.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2016 7:33 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 19:33:18 -0500

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member Women comment often here on RP, perhaps it's the subject of the discussions you're viewing.

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/have-you-ever-been-the-victim-of-a-clerical-error

https://www.rallypoint.com/shared-links/do-military-women-want-combat-jobs-the-survey-numbers-say-yes-and-so-do-more-than-9-000-combat

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/women-do-you-want-to-transfer-to-combat-arms-mos

Have you ever been the victim of a clerical error? | RallyPoint

I raise my hand to this one. I was the victim of a clerical error at AR-PERSCOM. With a keyboard stoke someone changed me from being female to male. After becoming aware of this I contacted AR-PERSCOM to request they change it back. I was asked to prove I am a female by sending documentation. No problem I sent off a copy of my birth certificate as requested. Waited and still no change was made to my records. I contacted AR-PERSCOM again to be...

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2016 7:33 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 19:33:32 -0500

I see a lot of women on here answering questions. As far as sexual/gender orientation, I don't see that as an issue as most topics generally revolve around military oriented topics and not necessarily social issues, unless they play into military topics somehow. With the responses I see, I have yet to see a "I'm a bisexual transgender service member who's also Hindu and I have this to say on the subject" type response...which has the ability to take away from the discussion and focus it on the service member.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2016 7:43 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 19:43:24 -0500

We have some very good females who comment. But, frankly, I seldom notice the gender of the person commenting.

Response by PO1 Rick Serviss made Feb 28 at 2016 7:58 PM

PO1 Rick Serviss — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 19:58:11 -0500

There are females here but I don't pay attention to the gender. I kept in touch with someone I met on RP for a few months. Hopefully her tour in Afghanistan is over and she's home with her family. I enjoyed talking to her and hearing about what it's like. She's a soldier.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2016 8:57 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 20:57:21 -0500

I actually post when relevant, and respond when needed. I've seen a few lgbt posts that went very ugly.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2016 9:16 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 21:16:55 -0500

Sir, I see quite a few women that comment on or start posts. They are valuable contributors to RallyPoint.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2016 9:18 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 21:18:14 -0500

Any lgbt going to the AMPA Gala?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2016 10:09 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 22:09:47 -0500

They're here sir. But just like most of us, they pick and choose the conversations they join.

Response by SGT Carissa Lara, RCS made Feb 28 at 2016 10:39 PM

SGT Carissa Lara, RCS — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 22:39:19 -0500

We're here. I pop in from time to time and I really only comment on things that I have a constructive comment on. According to Rally point I'm still in the top 100 E-5 so I can't be doing that bad lol.

Response by 1stSgt Eugene Harless made Feb 28 at 2016 11:33 PM

1stSgt Eugene Harless — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 23:33:41 -0500

I have noticed quite a few females on RP. The vast majority of topics have nothing to do with sexual orientation, so most people (and may I add appropriately) don't bring it into the conversation. For instance if the topic is about adopting a new service rifle I dont see how bringing up which side of the plate you swing from as having anything to do with the issue.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 29 at 2016 12:13 AM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 00:13:40 -0500

For me personally I just feel like I don't know enough to actually answer most questions or someone already said what I would.

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Feb 29 at 2016 1:30 AM

Sgt Tom Cunnally — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 01:30:31 -0500

There are several ladies here doing a great job contributing to our discussions. I just wish we had Tulsi Gabbard, Tami Duckworth, & other ladies from Congress who served in the military. I know I for one would probably learn something because I am just not into this year's presidential campaign. In 1960 I walked our neighborhood knocking on doors just to give residents John F. Kennedy For President handouts to read.

Response by TSgt Melissa Post made Feb 29 at 2016 2:02 AM

TSgt Melissa Post — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 02:02:46 -0500

I make regular posts in waves. If that makes sense. I post for a while daily, then I get busy with life in general, then I rediscover RP and start posting again. I usually only post when I have something to say, something is bothering me, or I feel like perhaps I can contribute in a positive way. I don't vote people down (that I can recall). If I don't agree, I usually just don't post anything. I try to seek out new friends, and leaders who I believe can give me good advice. I feel like here it is a safe place to address an officer or anyone of higher rank to get their perspective on a situation (not that I mind the responses from others of my rank or below me). But yes the girls are here. Just remember though, in ratio there are as many females in the military as there are men anyways...or so I read.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 29 at 2016 5:03 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 05:03:57 -0500

The military in general isn't gender diverse. Therefore, RP would be about as gender diverse as the military. Way more men want to go to war or serve their country or get free college or deploy constantly or move every 2-3 years or ..... than women.

Response by PO3 David Fries made Feb 29 at 2016 6:35 AM

PO3 David Fries — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 06:35:45 -0500

My question is, does it really matter? Do people need to self-identify as a member of one group or another? We are all part of the Military family (community), nothing else should make any difference.

Response by Maj John Bell made Feb 29 at 2016 7:11 AM

Maj John Bell — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 07:11:08 -0500

Not trying to be a smart alec here, but my heterosexuality has never had any bearing on any RP discussion I've entered into, so why bring it up? Perhaps it is that they do not think that their gender identity is germane to the issue.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 29 at 2016 8:01 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 08:01:48 -0500

No offense intended Sir, but why someone has to say I am from the LBGTQ community before commenting?

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Feb 29 at 2016 9:28 AM

Cpl Jeff N. — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 09:28:02 -0500

You would have to be very new, like a matter of hours or days not to see women posting topics or comments and even periodic sexual orientation issues posted. We cannot seem to avoid people that want to talk about with who/how they have sex these days. Just search the topics. There is plenty out there.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Feb 29 at 2016 10:30 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 10:30:00 -0500

There's lot of women here!! Sooner or later you'll discover them. They are great, and vocal as well!!

Response by Kanika Misra made Feb 29 at 2016 10:36 AM

Kanika Misra — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 10:36:32 -0500

Here's a Command Post that may interest you - https://www.rallypoint.com/command-post/when-not-if-will-we-see-open-transgender-military-service

When, Not If, Will We See Open Transgender Military Service? | RallyPoint

On November 23, 2014, the Palm Center released a statement entitled "Military Services Have Failed To Comply With New Defense Department Rules On Transgender Personnel." http://www.palmcenter.org/files/services%20out%20of%20compliance%20memo.pdf This followed a report from last March where former Surgeon General Jocelyn Elders led a group that concluded there were no sound medical reasons why transgender people couldn't serve in the military...

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 29 at 2016 11:31 AM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 11:31:40 -0500

I don't post often, but check out what others post.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 29 at 2016 1:15 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 13:15:51 -0500

How does the gender or sexual orientation of someone posting on here benefit anyone or the military technically, tactically and professionally? Specifically, how does your question help anyone professionally besides maybe for your own personal gain and or attention seeking?

Response by SGT Richard H. made Feb 29 at 2016 2:35 PM

SGT Richard H. — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 14:35:59 -0500

They are out there. As far as women, I think the percentage of active female RP members is probably about in line with the percentage on active duty. With regard to the LGBTQ community, my thoughts are that we probably wouldn't even know it unless someone felt like telling us, which would most likely happen only if it's relevant to a given conversation.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 29 at 2016 4:51 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 16:51:55 -0500

Sir, I have seen women comment often. And as for the LGBT community, there may well be people commenting that aren't going to broadcast their affiliation. Not everyone is flamboyant about it. But the bigger question sir, is this; even if you knew who they were and if they were affiliated with the LGBT community, would it make a difference? It is refreshing to have the diverse perspectives, this is true, but does it matter what their sexual orientation is, when a heterosexual may have the same ideals and thought processes?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 29 at 2016 5:09 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 17:09:14 -0500

Good question Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member. Since I've been in RP, there have been many discussions with male female input. In fact a lot of the female questions are better than the males. Just don't piss them off or you'll get jumped by male and female members.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Feb 29 at 2016 9:33 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 21:33:14 -0500

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member I did not know we were supposed to track stuff like that.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2016 5:43 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 05:43:55 -0500

I'm a transgender Sailor on RP, I just don't participate in forums very often. And when I do, I don't proclaim my identity unless it is relevant. Just putting myself out there now because I believe that visibility is important, especially if there are others out there looking to connect.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Apr 24 at 2018 5:51 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 17:51:36 -0400

You know Sir, I do the same thing I did while serving- I don't ask personal questions- I'm an old green warrior- don't see skin color, race nor gender.