RP VS Facebook General question

2013-12-24T14:18:51-05:00

Here in RP, we address each other as in the actual military.

At least I seem to think so.

For those who have a Facebook account, how do you address those you have that are either veterans or currently active SM?

I am curious to see what kind of feed back is provided on this topic.

While there may be different responses, I like to see how this inter communication is engaged outside of any military related platform.

Example:

SSG Laureno Pabon

PVT Jonathan Pabon

Are both in Facebook interacting with each other through email and chat.

Do you:

1 interact like this:

SSG Pabon: "PVT Pabon did you prepare for the GI party tomorrow?"

PVT Pabon: "Yes SSG, my room is ready for inspection".

2. Or like this:

SSG pabon: "Johnny did you prepare for the GI party tomorrow?"

PVT Pabon: "Yes, my room is ready for inspection."

I'm aware that family members are different but how do actual RP Members interact with each other is more the main question.

Response by SFC James Baber made Dec 24 at 2013 3:51 PM

2013-12-24T15:51:44-05:00

Whether it be here of on FB,

I address people accordingly, if it subordinate and they are active I address by rank, if they are veteran/retiree I address by first name.

NCO-FB by rank or 1st name depending on how much we know each other for active, veteran/retiree pretty much 1st name.

Officer-Sir/Ma'am whether active/retired/veteran, it is a respect thing for me that has been ground in along the years.

If it goes to 1st name basis it is initiated by them and told to address that way.

Response by CH (CPT) Heather Davis made Dec 24 at 2013 9:45 PM

2013-12-24T21:45:50-05:00

SSG Pabon:

Regardless if the veteran is
retired, I genuinely address the service member as their last rank. Rule of thumb once a CSM always a CSM or Master Chief and that way the conversation and tone
stay professional.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2013 9:52 PM

2013-12-24T21:52:58-05:00

As a rule I don't FB friend Soldiers in my current unit. When in command I had a unit FB group that was useful for getting info out.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2013 11:31 PM

2013-12-24T23:31:44-05:00

I have a rule about situations like this. [I'm currently on hiatus from Facebook until I finish my Bachelors.]

1) I don't or at least try not to add anyone I'm currently working directly with. This leaves awkward situations, inside jokes, rants, etc. out of the question for workplace interaction. Once they or I depart the unit, I'm more than happy to add people to Facebook.

2) On my Facebook page, there's no such thing as "rank." We're all people. I tend to vent about things and post about controversial topics and everyone is more than welcome to chime in, as long as there's the understanding that FB doesn't equal "the military."

That's just me though. I screen the people I add to my page and I try to keep the number below 300, so it's a very select list of those I know personally. I'd like to think those who are on there are on the same page as me with first name/open discussion basis.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 25 at 2013 11:17 AM

2013-12-25T11:17:38-05:00

SSG Pabon, that's my point, really. I think since it's meant to be a personal venue, that it should be left to the discretion of the page owner is all.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2014 1:38 PM

2014-03-11T13:38:54-04:00

I am in agreeance with those who keep their FB page private. I currently do not have any FB contacts that are in my unit, or even my battalion. I only have 1-2 that are even in the army and one is my brother, the other is a good friend.

I have many different ways to contact my soldiers. Email, phone call, text, etc. I like keeping my facebook as a way to communicate with my family and personal friends, so I keep it as private as possible.

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made May 4 at 2014 4:47 PM

2014-05-04T16:47:29-04:00

Yes, I only use FB to see family and friends pictures for most. I occasionally post something and its to say hi or comment quickly about sports and family. I'm kind of bored with FB for now. RP is interesting and I have learned a lot just from reading the thread responses.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 4 at 2014 6:28 PM

2014-05-04T18:28:18-04:00

I like the flexibility on FB. I love to discuss Military Matters on RP. I have accounts on Linkedin, military.com, twitter, google plus and now together we served. Sure is a lot of social networks out there.

Response by Sgt Packy Flickinger made Sep 10 at 2014 2:22 AM

2014-09-10T02:22:57-04:00

I would think you would only "friend" someone on FB who is your friend. therefore they should be addressed more personally than professionally.

Here it is both. There are many active, some may know each other personally. Contact is not limited to friends here.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2014 9:15 AM

2014-09-10T09:15:29-04:00

SSG Laureano Pabon , on FB I have managed to continue to exclude any of my subordinates and supervisors. However, former supervisors and subordinates have made the cut from time to time. Generally I still maintain a level of formality with officers, even on FB.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Sep 10 at 2014 7:07 PM

2014-09-10T19:07:57-04:00

Here is about etiquette and respect on FB I'm more "Joe bag-a-donuts"

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2014 7:50 PM

2014-09-10T19:50:13-04:00

Military etiquette is not needed on Facebook. Professionalism should still be used because events on Facebook are the same as events in public. So use of private jokes and nicknames should be kept off the public part of Facebook.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Sep 10 at 2014 8:30 PM

2014-09-10T20:30:41-04:00

My recommendation would be to avoid being Facebook friends with anyone above or below you and your chain of command. Facebook was not even around in my time but I can imagine plenty of difficulties that could arise from it.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2014 10:30 AM

2014-10-30T10:30:53-04:00

SSG Pabon, im glad you posted this, and i feel more junior enlisted need to read this. On facebook, i am a member of quite a few groups, many of which are veteran based, the amount of blatent disrespect from member to member is through the roof, i came here to RP and i was instantly taken back by how professional it is. I compare this site to that of Garrison life on a military installation, where everyone is watching, you address NCO's by their rank, while on facebook, it seems a majority of past service members lose that respect for the rank of those who are still serving, you would think that by having served, they would still keep their bearing and tact, I love this site because of the professionalism and i do think more Junior Enlisted need to come here and learn something. I see brand new E-2's coming into units, and due to the relaxed environment in the NG, they see Pfc Joe call a SSG by his first name, and are easily influenced to do the same, and it bugs the shit out of me. I am old fashioned, and will never catch myself doing that, something inside me always prevents me from stooping to that level. I really want to say something to them when i see it, but im just a Spc, have been for over 8 years, i wish being a "Senior Specialist" was an actual thing, that way if i was to say something to that PVT, i wouldnt have to worry about them running to their Section Sgt, or Squad Leader and complaining...