RallyPoint as a first impression maker.

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Feb 2014 20:27:14 -0500

Do you think the future chain of commands will use RallyPoint to check you out prior to assignment?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2014 8:29 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Feb 2014 20:29:34 -0500

Knowing it is here, why not. employers check facebook...

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2014 8:30 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Feb 2014 20:30:08 -0500

There are multiple ways to find out about an incoming Soldier, I do research on my inbounds but I always allow the incoming Soldier to walk in the door with a clean slate regardless of what I may come across, good or bad.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2014 11:35 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Feb 2014 23:35:56 -0500

Aww crap, I might be in trouble. 

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2014 12:03 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Feb 2014 00:03:01 -0500

<p>Sure, why not?  </p><p><br></p><p>Command Sergeants-Major all seem to know eachother, and do talk amongst themselves about outgoing or incoming Soldiers.</p><p><br></p><p>It can work the other way around too.  If you know where you are being assigned to next, why wouldn't you search on here for people in the unit or post?  Seeing who the people you will be living and working with, and how they think and express themselves will give one a little more familiarity than in the past just going in somewhere cold.</p><p><br></p><p>Technology gives us all the same advantages.</p>

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2014 12:03 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Feb 2014 00:03:14 -0500

I'm not sure what you can get out of here that you can't get from the S1

Response by SPC Dan Goforth made Feb 16 at 2014 12:24 AM

SPC Dan Goforth — Sun, 16 Feb 2014 00:24:19 -0500

SFC Day, I'm actually hoping to make a good impression here.  I'm about to PCS to Ft. Carson, and I'm carrying a little bit of baggage.  I'm hoping my future CoC sees that I realize I put myself in the position I'm in, and actually have a chance to fix it.  And if the situation can't be fixed, then at least I can leave the military with grace.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2014 12:40 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Feb 2014 00:40:34 -0500

When I assisted a BDE CDR, I was often asked to research the incoming officer slate.  Not LTs, but MAJs and LTCs were definitely looked at closely.  CPTs looking for company command as well.  He wasn't interested in political viewpoints, but certainly anything that looked like a lapse in judgement would get printed and stuck in the file.  I was amazed at what officers posted.  One of my favorites was a female MAJ who had close-ups of her oiled bare tummy in a bikini on FB and had "Friended" most of her own section.  Never actually met her...<div><br></div><div>I digress...yes, it will be used once people know about it.  If I am being perfectly honest, I do feel concerned about discrimination based on political view points.  There are people who have consistently posted responses to scenarios that I feel would not concur with how I would want things handled in my company.  That said, CPTs don't really get much say (if any) over what LTs they get.  </div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, I am known for being a divergent thinker, a "Red Teamer", someone who feels tradition gets a vote, but not a veto.  I would rather have a leadership team know that about me going in, and pass on me, than for me to be stuck in a unit where I was not a good fit.  I think some of the toxic leadership stories are really square-peg-round-hole situations where one or two Soldiers found themselves being the odd man out and were targeted for it.  I wish CDRs at every level had more control over the senior NCOs and Officers that enter their unit. </div>

Response by SFC Steven Harvey made Feb 16 at 2014 2:25 AM

SFC Steven Harvey — Sun, 16 Feb 2014 02:25:46 -0500

I certainly hope not.  <div><br></div><div>I'd rather them have a fresh start and use prior NCOER's to get a general idea of who they are and what they are capable of.  I use Rallypoint for the conversations in an open forum.  We have the highest ranks all the way down to the junior enlisted.</div>

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2014 9:34 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Feb 2014 09:34:22 -0500

SFC Day, <div><br></div><div>If I were a senior NCO, then I could see my future chains of command looking me up on RP.  As a lower enlisted, I think my opinions on pizza MREs and favorite movie quotes are safe from the prying eyes of my future company commanders and brigade commanders.</div>

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2014 9:54 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Feb 2014 09:54:30 -0500

Point blank - yes.  I use every tool available to vet a potential replacement or addition to the office.  Military personnel systems (ERB and NCOERs), Facebook, LinkedIn, RallyPoint.  There is no way I am going to put my seal of approval to the boss on a possible addition to the team that gives off the impression of being unprofessional.    <div><br></div><div>With that said, every one makes mistakes.  The key is to make sure those mistakes aren't on social media.      </div>

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2014 10:53 AM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Feb 2014 10:53:18 -0500

I think it's used now but I don't think it makes any difference.  When I transferred from active duty to the reserves last month, I took a peek at the gaining unit and the personnel there.  Most accounts were barely filled out and provided me nothing about the personnel there.  It's hit or miss.

Response by SPC Christopher Smith made Feb 16 at 2014 11:06 AM

SPC Christopher Smith — Sun, 16 Feb 2014 11:06:47 -0500

I have my fair share of "digital enemies" on here, and if my C.o.C was to see some of my debates I'm sure I would be looked at as a problem child before I even entered the door. I regret nothing, I will always defend my views if I believe they are true and I can prove that they are of merit. That said, if a C.o.C can remain professional and see potential in my ability to give my honest opinion no matter the rank or question, I could also be seen as a benefit to an organization. 

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2014 2:27 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 14:27:06 -0500

I don't see why not. If a better system of vetting individuals training/experience were to be implemented.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2014 5:05 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 17:05:15 -0500

They should, this is supposed to be a professional organization. You should present your professional face.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2014 7:36 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 19:36:10 -0500

I totally hope so.  It is a great tool to evaluate mid-career and beyond by seeing how they communicate in writing, what they believe in, how they conduct themselves, and how they design their own bio.<br><br>Also:  I hope they automatically discount anyone with an influence score of 75,000+ as having too much time on their hands and requiring more additional duties.  Tongue in cheek-ness intended.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2014 7:47 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 19:47:27 -0500

I guess to piggy-back off of your question, are there any leaders that would like to share what they look for if they do use RallyPoint? I may have to go back and delete some stuff. (Just kidding, I hope)

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made May 11 at 2014 9:05 AM

CPT Jacob Swartout — Sun, 11 May 2014 09:05:05 -0400

I can see it happening eventually down the line. Now its just getting everyone on board to create their accounts so the next chain of command can see who you are and what you have done in the past.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 28 at 2014 12:33 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Sep 2014 00:33:51 -0400

This being my first day on the site I have felt a sence of brotherhood that I have not felt since my Military career ended. I had stress relief and was able to work out some survivor guilt issues. What a great site! And am thankful for all the kind words I recieved and new friendships made. Glad I stopped by to check it out!

Response by SPC(P) Micah Lavigne made Dec 21 at 2014 12:11 PM

SPC(P) Micah Lavigne — Sun, 21 Dec 2014 12:11:03 -0500

SFC Day, As rally point (like facebook) grows in fame it will become another tool to see how Units can learn about the gaining Soldier other than what is on their ERB. The internet is not Private and I have learned if I don't want embarrassing things to resurface don't put myself in those situations. Cyberspace is a new wave of Information Gathering and we don't have to go far for an AR reference or intel (google is every Soldier's friend). So yes I do believe it will be a tool in years to come

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Dec 21 at 2014 12:23 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Sun, 21 Dec 2014 12:23:18 -0500

In the distant future, once they've caught up to the existence of facebook first.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Feb 8 at 2015 7:51 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 19:51:54 -0500

Yes, I think that is a reasonable prediction, especially given further growth by RP.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2015 7:53 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 19:53:45 -0500

They should, I would.

At the same time they should respect a person's opinion. Disagreement is not disloyalty.

Response by PO2 Stephen Brinkley (Scott) made Feb 8 at 2015 8:39 PM

PO2 Stephen Brinkley (Scott) — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 20:39:38 -0500

SFC Private RallyPoint Member I would hope that a soldier, airman, or sailor would not view Rallypoint or Facebook as a means of spying on a future gains. People use them sometimes as way to express their concerns without the worry that their COC would find out and hold it against them.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2021 9:40 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Dec 2021 09:40:51 -0500

Their first choice will be Facebook and many of the newer applications our younger folk like. RP is old fogy.

Response by SFC Randy Hellenbrand made Dec 26 at 2021 8:13 PM

SFC Randy Hellenbrand — Sun, 26 Dec 2021 20:13:34 -0500

I hope so. There are a few traitors on here.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2021 6:50 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Dec 2021 18:50:11 -0500

Absolutely...wouldn't you want to know who is serving under you?

Response by A1C Chris Pointer made Dec 28 at 2021 1:04 AM

A1C Chris Pointer — Tue, 28 Dec 2021 01:04:02 -0500

Interesting to see how this has aged. When I joined a few years ago when I enlisted this was a great site. I deleted my account for a bit then recreated it after seeing an advertisement, it did not age well at all.