Posted on Feb 1, 2015
GySgt International It Pmo & Portfolio Manager
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(additional comments added at end of this post)

I've been retired since '99, so I've gotten a bit undisciplined.

Having said that, I have to admit I've been a bit uncomfortable seeing some of the discussions on Rallypoint; particularly between officer and enlisted -- presumably by folks currently wearing the uniform (unfortunately, I've trended like most retirees and can't fit mine! LOL)

Are others feeling this discomfort? Is social media a place where folks can get in trouble?

Semper Fi team!
Pete Hoeft

Additional comments (repost of something I added below):

In response to everyone who responded, Thanks! I'm relatively new to Rallypoint. And if you haven't already figured out, I'm one of those folks who likes to share my opinion.

I agree that the majority of discourse has been appropriate and professional. And there are times some folks have danced around the edges.

Hehehee. As much as I like to think I keep up with times and that I'm not an old fart, I guess I grew up in a different time where we (SNCOs and Officers) had our conversations, but mostly in private.

Many of you represent a generation that has "grown up" with social media being part of your lives, with this just being part of it.

Something else to keep in mind, however, is that prospective employers (and maybe your current employer) will be checking backgrounds and public records prior to hiring and part of that is a check of social media. Many folks will benefit from intelligent conversation and the discourse will provide some good insights into how you think. As for those who choose to lay it all out there . . . . be careful to keep it professional. You might be persuading a hiring manager to pass you over. As a former Intel guy, I tend to assume HR types are reading anything I post, so I err on the side of caution.
Edited 10 y ago
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Responses: 23
SFC William Swartz Jr
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At times I just shake my head and scroll along....internet badassery is something I can live without.....
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MAJ David Vermillion
MAJ David Vermillion
10 y
Let us be respectful to each other and remember the power of good influence. That does a lot for me, trying to be disrespectful proves nothing in the end but resentment.
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LTC Self Employed
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9 y
I have my opinions and sometimes people disagree and I learn from them that the more I know or believe, I sometimes forget the context or I don't see the big picture as clearly and sometimes I am myopic and I have to reevaluate my stance. That is what I am learing from this forum is that with the collective ideas and respectful debate/disagreements from others we can be a better profession or be better people with better empathy of that with we disagree with or don't understand fully. I really like this forum!
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CPT Company Commander
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I can say this pops it's head up a bit. We often see the LT, not me of course, that knows far too much for their lack of experience. Then we see the SGT that goes out of his to bash the LT on a topic. I lost count on how many times I have been called out as a LT. I recall one episode where the soldier called me out about being a dumb Newbie, or something that affect. The issue was that I was an NCO longer they have been in the Army. I wasn't using my current picture. I think my current picture reflects a bit more as I don't seem like that cherry Lt. But it is from both sides of the house. It is also from the RET vs SM. The back in my day vs. how it is done now. We should remain professional no matter what our status is.
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SPC Infantryman
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I've earned my IKWB... By winning an argument against a CSM.
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