Officer/Enlisted Discussions (Arguments) on RallyPoint

2015-02-01T10:07:04-05:00

(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.

Response by MSgt Michael Durkee made Feb 1 at 2015 10:22 AM

2015-02-01T10:22:13-05:00

I've seen some discourse, but being retired, I would hope that it could remain professional and encourage intelligent thought. If I was still Active, there would probably be more concern for our Profession of Arms and I would jump into the foray :)

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Feb 1 at 2015 11:41 AM

2015-02-01T11:41:53-05:00

At times I just shake my head and scroll along....internet badassery is something I can live without.....

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Feb 1 at 2015 11:59 AM

2015-02-01T11:59:47-05:00

I can definitely understand your concern.

A solid portion of our membership is Veterans & Retirees, so the traditional Officer/Enlisted dichotomy just no longer applies any more. We tend to forget that we are still examples for those that are still in, so when we speak our minds, this can create a very flawed "perception."

Upon exodus, we've essentially graduated from a Senior/Junior relationship to that of Peers. But "old habits die hard."

Now, I'm not trying to excuse unprofessional conduct. We, should always maintain a professional demeanor, even in heated discussion. Especially in a public venue. You never know who is watching, after all.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Feb 1 at 2015 12:25 PM

2015-02-01T12:25:18-05:00

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member, are you uncomfortable with officer and enlisted having discussions with each other or specific content?

Response by SPC Christopher Smith made Feb 1 at 2015 1:12 PM

2015-02-01T13:12:40-05:00

Came in with a degree and years of experience in business and other areas. Recruiter screwed me so I'm not wearing bars, but that doesn't take way from the fact that I can give great insight into many issues brought up by most Officers.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2015 1:49 PM

2015-02-01T13:49:47-05:00

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.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2015 1:57 PM

2015-02-01T13:57:43-05:00

I've earned my IKWB... By winning an argument against a CSM.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2015 2:11 PM

2015-02-01T14:11:08-05:00

If we keep discussions professional and courteous, then we can have the difficult conversations. Being active duty, I still need to be careful about which discussions I join, and what I say. If a discussion is (or becomes) unprofessional, then I advise staying out of that particular conversation. Don't be afraid of social media, just be respectful of it.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2015 3:17 PM

2015-02-01T15:17:55-05:00

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.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2015 3:34 PM

2015-02-01T15:34:29-05:00

I think that there are advantages to having input to discussion from both sides, as long as it is done with the professionalism expected from military members. There are topics that lend themselves to poking fun at one side or the other, and I think that the authors knew that when writing the question. The (some would call infamous) saluting LT thread is one.

I have not seen much in the way of bashing from either side, but I tend to stay away from the usual suspects: Politics and religion.

Response by Sheryl Verhulst made Feb 1 at 2015 5:03 PM

2015-02-01T17:03:06-05:00

i'd say that while still serving, it is not a good idea to get into heated debates b/w enlisted and commissioned. 1) military checks many social media platforms and could find grounds to NJP up your butt for one thing or another 2) perceived professionalism. As a crusty vet though? Carry on.

Response by SGT Justin Lamb made Feb 2 at 2015 6:41 PM

2015-02-02T18:41:34-05:00

On screen or to someone's face your still directing comments to someone of possible higher rank. At least that's how I see it

Response by SFC Douglas Davis made Feb 2 at 2015 8:03 PM

2015-02-02T20:03:58-05:00

The beauty of this forum is it only takes a couple of days to spot the trolls, that like to get in a pissing contest. I tend now to just ignore the trolls and try to post things in a respectful way. If I find a topic that might set me off on a tangent then I just say to myself it is not worth getting upset over.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2015 8:07 PM

2015-02-02T20:07:58-05:00

It amazes me on how many people take everything that everyone posts extremely personal. It has gotten to the point that I just found out that one of my former squad leaders is possibly being bared from re-enlistment due to his comments on Facebook.

Response by MAJ Chris Ballard made Feb 3 at 2015 8:39 AM

2015-02-03T08:39:00-05:00

One of the things I like about Rally Point as opposed to many other venues, is that the conversations tend to be respectful. There are exceptions, of course, but it is the internet after all. On the whole, though, I think it's a good opportunity for young soldiers and us old farts to bounce opinions off one another in a fairly safe environment. You'll never completely rid the world of keyboard Rambos, but this site does better than most.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2015 5:50 PM

2015-02-10T17:50:57-05:00

I don't have a filter on here, nor do I feel the need to. There is nothing military about this site, despite what it attempts to be. Frankness is necessary. If my opinion hurts the feelings or sensibilities of someone with a whole lot of stripes or a whole lot of stars, then that's just too bad for them.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Feb 10 at 2015 6:07 PM

2015-02-10T18:07:49-05:00

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member I think you raise a reasonable concern. We must, as a professional military continue to hold ourselves to high standards even in the digital domain, it is up to us to police each-other and keep our honor clean.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2015 9:34 PM

2015-02-10T21:34:16-05:00

Gunny, another thing that I'm not sure has been addressed is the caliber of service people has changed. What I mean by that is that in many cases the enlisted persons are at least as educated (formally) as the officers. It leads to a situation where in the office we become collaborators towards a common ends in a way with the O having final say. I experienced that as an IS1, and then as a paralegal NCO that was nearly finishing law school. The importance isn't the formality but whether there is a mutual respect, and a respect for rank.

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Oct 6 at 2015 1:11 PM

2015-10-06T13:11:16-04:00

My only discomfort Ive had is from active duty weasels hiding behind their rank and thinking that I still have to adhere to UCMJ and kiss their back sides, along with someone who is no longer active duty trying to pull rank on me and shove their egoistic idiotices on me. For the most part I have met awesome people on this forum and wished I had served with most of them. If we could get all these people together... DAMN!!!!! what a unit we would have!!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2015 7:11 PM

2015-12-13T19:11:42-05:00

I posted this a few times so it is deja vu for some of you....
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!

Response by ENS Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2017 9:38 AM

2017-04-30T09:38:26-04:00

Those on Active Duty must keep their rank/paygrade in mind and adhere strictly to the highest level of professionalism. However, rank/paygrade is not an excuse to "flex" your opinion or point over someone else's' nor will it be tolerated on RallyPoint. All members, Active, veteran and retired alike must adhere to the community guidelines and maintain some level of professionalism as if they were wearing the uniform themselves. Behavioral violations and responses that are seen un unsuitable on RallyPoint should be reported and the admin will handle it accordingly. A warning typically suffices, however there are other, more punitive means of correcting problems within our community.

I believe SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SSG Carlos Madden CPT Private RallyPoint Member would agree.

Cheers!

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Apr 30 at 2017 1:06 PM

2017-04-30T13:06:52-04:00

As an old retired guy, I'm often surprised and mildly flattered when somebody on RP shows courtesies I was afforded when on active duty. I don't in any way expect such things because I've gotten used to being "Mr. Coe" or "Jim" to most people and basically being treated the same as any other "Joe civilian." I have disagreed with RP members over politics and religion on occasion, but I am pleased to say the discussions have almost always been respectful. Very rare name calling did cause me to block one RP member, but that's a definite minority.

I recommend active duty and reserve service members keep it respectful on RP when addressing a person of senior rank. It's not disrespectful to express a different opinion or point out errors of fact. Remember anything you post here or on any other social media could be published in the NY Times or used in a legal proceeding.

Response by SPC Ken Sawyer made Aug 22 at 2017 5:35 AM

2017-08-22T05:35:46-04:00

To me as a former enlisted man it depends on the officer how I interact with him/her. Make a comment that sets you as some how better than me just because your an officer and watch out. As a civilian I don't have to take being looked down upon by anyone. As for anyone searching my social media to investigate me I don't really care I have been running my own company for 14 years. And my job performance speaks for itself. I always respect the rank and uniform just not always the person. I have known a few officers that I wouldn't want to follow to the chow hall never mind combat just because of their attitude.