Is there a valid reason why someone wouldn't verify their RallyPoint account if they have been members for a while?

2017-07-23T21:05:21-04:00

There seems to be a few members of RallyPoint whose military service seems questionable based on statements made. When questioned about it, they usually do not respond. I'm not saying they aren't real vets, but is there a reason why someone wouldn't (or couldn't) verify their account? Just curious, because it seems easy to do and if its privacy issues you can always send in a redacted DD-214, and adjust your privacy settings.

UPDATE: Seems like there is some issues (at least with newer members) of having a problem verifying their accounts. RP Admins: Any suggestions?

Response by PO2 Josh Gauvin made Jul 23 at 2017 9:07 PM

2017-07-23T21:07:16-04:00

How do I verify it I'm rather new to rally point

Response by AN Christopher Crayne made Jul 23 at 2017 9:11 PM

2017-07-23T21:11:12-04:00

I've seen that also. Maybe it's for keeping the person(s) who are on active duty status, and weary of being recognized by someone in their chain of command hidden. Security clearance concerns, or retribution. That's my guess.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2017 9:11 PM

2017-07-23T21:11:59-04:00

Up until this past week, RP wouldn't accept any form of verification from me. I finally got the email going.

Response by Cpl Thomas Kifer made Jul 23 at 2017 9:32 PM

2017-07-23T21:32:52-04:00

I am currently looking to get a copy of my dd-214. I had misplaced it many years ago. I Am also currently trying to get my disability rating. So when that arrives I will fill out everything that I can. I believe I have a lot to offer RP. So transparency is critical to my success here.

Response by SGM Jerry Kastler made Jul 23 at 2017 9:43 PM

2017-07-23T21:43:08-04:00

I am not going to mail my DD 214 to someone behind a site on the internet. The other ways of verification don't seem to be working for me. Easier to coast. If it is a problem, I got by without the site for a long time.

Response by PFC Jonathan Albano made Jul 23 at 2017 9:59 PM

2017-07-23T21:59:37-04:00

Can't speak for everyone, however, the PII that is required in the verification process is a legitimate reason why some might not wish to verify (OPSEC and whatnot). Even with privacy settings, there's still a chance of an unsavory character getting their hands on sensitive info. The less info you share, the lower the risk.

Response by 1SG Russell S. made Jul 23 at 2017 10:17 PM

2017-07-23T22:17:33-04:00

FWIW I had to send at least 3 emails of my retired ID, then several IM to get someone to respond. That was me, I was being aggressive on wanting to get it done. Others that are passive are most likely still waiting.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2017 10:55 PM

2017-07-23T22:55:54-04:00

On this tack, perhaps someone can enlighten me on any or all of the following:
1. Why does RP allow ANONYMOUS members?
2. Why is anyone not required to post a suitable photograph with his or her profile?
3. Why are full names not required?
My point is that I feel these practices are inconsistent with what RP's policies SHOULD BE regarding any member's profile.

Response by SrA Mike VanDeMark made Jul 23 at 2017 11:57 PM

2017-07-23T23:57:33-04:00

I had a heck of a time getting verified when I signed up roughly a year ago. I ended up finding an old military buddy to verify me as legit on here.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2017 12:32 AM

2017-07-24T00:32:04-04:00

I can only think of two reasons not to verify yourself; one, security which hasn't been an issue for the majority of us who have. And two, the unverified aren't who they say they are and they are just here to troll.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2017 2:23 AM

2017-07-24T02:23:31-04:00

I mean I understand opsec that's why I didn't take any pictures of CAC but there was other ways to prove legitimacy like I tool a pic of my BCT certificate and also my navy good conduct certificate and submitted those. I think some people are trying to embellish their history maybe.

Response by SSG Keith Brevard made Jul 24 at 2017 8:18 AM

2017-07-24T08:18:47-04:00

I've come accross individuals that told huge tales about being in and doing things in the military. The one thing that remains the same about all of them is that when questiined, they get very evasive.

Response by SPC Jason Jordan made Jul 24 at 2017 12:57 PM

2017-07-24T12:57:44-04:00

I tried to verify. Emailed a photo of my VA ID.. A week later, still says unverified

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made Jul 24 at 2017 2:06 PM

2017-07-24T14:06:55-04:00

I do know the electronic verification method is kinda messed up

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2017 5:21 PM

2017-07-24T17:21:22-04:00

I'm an "old school" retired Coast Guard Senior Chief that is not totally sure whether my account is verified or not. I'm not very computer savvy. I just did the minimum necessary to participate in discussions that are interesting or humorous to me and that I may have a comment or opinion about. Due to several reasons it's hard for me to be away from my residence to actually participate in a veterans group/organization or to volunteer for something involving other vets/military members to keep that connection to, and gain enjoyment from, the military community. We have experiences in common that civilians just don't get, starting with military humor. I am not really interested in other services/programs,etc, offered by the RallyPoint site.

Here is a piece of verification for you: In 1980 the Coast Guard Training Center Petaluma, California's liberty van had a broken sliding door that we all had to mess with to get it to work right, and if people had been drinking it was even harder to deal with!!

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Jul 24 at 2017 5:42 PM

2017-07-24T17:42:48-04:00

They are fakes or rejects

Response by PO1 Bill Gowey made Jul 24 at 2017 8:31 PM

2017-07-24T20:31:01-04:00

Need to check dates on dd214

Response by CPO Stuart Gupton made Jul 24 at 2017 9:29 PM

2017-07-24T21:29:04-04:00

I do not know the security of the RallyPoint systems and I am reluctant to supply the info asked for.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2017 11:42 PM

2017-07-24T23:42:26-04:00

This question pops up fairly frequently. The answer is simple for a lot of people...Rally Point does not offer adequate safety features to protect personal information. Despite what some people here claim, you can actively engage in social media without revealing sensitive personal information if you know a few basic rules...and yes there are people (actively serving or former service members) who prefer to avoid association with the military as much as possible for legitimate reasons.

Response by SPC Brandon Israel made Jul 25 at 2017 4:33 AM

2017-07-25T04:33:50-04:00

Wat if it won't let u verify? I tried the second option and it gave me an error. I know who I am, I know my info and I'm not gonna let a damn device tell me I'm an error, its b.s. Can't do #1 cuz I'm discharged since 2012. Don't have any of option 3 available. Wat can be done? I'm not fake.

Response by PFC Eric Parrish made Jul 25 at 2017 11:59 AM

2017-07-25T11:59:23-04:00

I entered my information and it would not verify. Sooner or later I will photograph my dd-214 and send it. However, it is not that high on my list of things to do.

Response by SSG Robert Gallovitch made Jul 25 at 2017 4:05 PM

2017-07-25T16:05:24-04:00

I just joined RP, and cannot verify my service. I put in my biometrics twice and couldn't complete the process. It would display a message that the information couldn't be verified.

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Jul 25 at 2017 11:44 PM

2017-07-25T23:44:56-04:00

All of my military records are in storage across the country. I am taking care of my mother after cancer surgery. Plan to verify when I get a chance to take some time off to get to my records...

Response by Cheyenne Lindgren made Jul 26 at 2017 3:23 PM

2017-07-26T15:23:55-04:00

Just stay true people

Response by SPC John Chambers made Jul 26 at 2017 6:05 PM

2017-07-26T18:05:02-04:00

With my account I'm just waiting for a copy of my DD-214.

Response by Sgt Martin Querin made Jul 26 at 2017 6:41 PM

2017-07-26T18:41:09-04:00

It took me quite a while to get verified, even with discharge papers and several certificates of promotion.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2017 8:46 PM

2017-07-26T20:46:43-04:00

This member, whose military service has not been verified yet, RETIRED in 1985 after 24 years' active service. Providing a copy of a DD-214 would be a lot easier IF I COULD FIND IT. However, having moved four times since I retired, many of those items were lost and I simply do not care to deal with cryptic methods for obtaining a copy of that ancient document. RallyPoint has not accepted a copy of my military identification card, so this retired veteran remains UNVERIFIED.

Response by Capt Hansel Bumgarner made Jul 26 at 2017 9:28 PM

2017-07-26T21:28:28-04:00

Just busy with other things.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2017 12:21 AM

2017-07-27T00:21:17-04:00

Why not put a time limit on access to the sight. Maybe a trail period, 30 days, then no access until verified, just to maintain the integrity of the sight.

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Jul 27 at 2017 10:50 AM

2017-07-27T10:50:31-04:00

As for unverified members, they shouldn't be allowed to post. As for difficulties in GETTING verified, i emailed my a pic of my VA ID & DD214(s) and got verified almost immediately.

Response by MSG David Johnson made Jul 27 at 2017 10:55 AM

2017-07-27T10:55:51-04:00

I never really paid attention to this before I saw this post.
I was going through my profile to see what I need to do to finish the last 15% of my profile. I started looking at stuff and ran across an endorsement that was blank other than a comment and the word UNVERIFIED!
I'm so shocked! An Unverified SM that I let in my door, shame on me.
I guess I've gotten lax in my SA, it took a while for me to get verified so I didn't think much of it. But after reading comments about the Unverified folk being on here to troll, I think back to some of the comments and see that the commentary from this supposed 21A LT were a bit over the top. I just thought that's the way he was. Most of the comments were appropriate so I didn't question them.

So now my question is this, how do I kick him down the road? His endorsement is still up, but that's it, can't look at the profile. It's probably going to be something simple.
I guess I have an RP Unverified war story to tell now. I'll be looking closer now.

Response by SSgt Boyd Welch made Jul 27 at 2017 1:00 PM

2017-07-27T13:00:52-04:00

Some of it has to do with online records verification. Some records coming out of Ft. Holabird Maryland were destroyed via a fire and online records are unobtainable so then you must send in the DD 214. This might no be the reason in all cases but it is why I had to send mine.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2017 6:40 PM

2017-07-27T18:40:04-04:00

I had trouble with verifying my service. The "Verify with SSN#" feature didn't work. I tried several times. Had to send a picture of my CAC card in and wait a couple weeks. No doubt there are some fakes on here, but there are some issues with verification as well.

Response by SGT Charles Ficklin made Jul 28 at 2017 7:46 AM

2017-07-28T07:46:07-04:00

Chief that would depend on the verification process, to much PII will create problems. Too many despicable people out there who are itching to steal your identity.

Response by CPO Glenn Moss made Jul 28 at 2017 10:13 AM

2017-07-28T10:13:35-04:00

In this day and age, people who aren't cautious of providing personal details are naïve, at best. So yes, there are valid reasons.

Even if it's not publically shown to other members, there are plenty of examples of companies and web sites which have sold personal details to other companies and web sites. A google search will bring up a ton of hits on this issue.

Response by SGT Nate Taylor made Jul 30 at 2017 9:57 AM

2017-07-30T09:57:11-04:00

As a new member to RP, with a job that requires a security clearance, I am very reluctant to share too much personal information online. Especially, anything that would allow someone to replicate enough of my personal information to try and steal it for nefarious purposes. Additionally, because I still maintain a security clearance, I am hesitant to divulge too much information that could risk that as well. If there was someway to control what information is shared, I might feel a little more secure in filling out my profile and sharing my information.

Response by PFC John Brooks made Jul 30 at 2017 7:40 PM

2017-07-30T19:40:13-04:00

Basic training Ait both at Fort Bliss station in hohenfels West Germany Charlie battery 2nd and 57th Air Defense Artillery

Response by PV2 Donald Woods made Aug 7 at 2017 12:19 AM

2017-08-07T00:19:29-04:00

Ive got my DD214..will send it in when i get home off tge road

Response by PO1 Tony Holland made Oct 2 at 2017 3:38 PM

2017-10-02T15:38:54-04:00

Perhaps they should be limited to a 3 month trial period?

Response by SSG George Holtje made Oct 24 at 2019 5:27 PM

2019-10-24T17:27:30-04:00

I’m just lazy. It doesn’t do anything more for me right now. I’m busy fixing phone and DSL to worry about my RP responsibilities