Should RallyPoint be used in the NCOER?

SSG James Doherty — Fri, 15 May 2015 20:42:08 -0400

With the upcoming changes to the NCOER form and the requirement to "extend influence beyond the chain of command"; should rally point be used to help accomplish this task?

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2015 8:43 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 May 2015 20:43:05 -0400

Wow, would THAT start the influence points spiking.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made May 15 at 2015 8:55 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Fri, 15 May 2015 20:55:02 -0400

If you can make the bullet work, why not? It better be well written though... I created and ran a Milsuite page that was used to enhance communication between many echelons of command, and provide a quick resource for references and Q&A sessions. Did my rater feel that justified a bullet? Sure did. I don't see why Rallypoint should be any different...

Response by SGT David T. made May 15 at 2015 9:04 PM

SGT David T. — Fri, 15 May 2015 21:04:19 -0400

I would say no because there is a potential for this site to become too politicized and candid discussions would be less likely for fear that something they say would be taken out of context and make its way into the NCOER in a bad light.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 15 at 2015 9:11 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 15 May 2015 21:11:49 -0400

No unless you an quantify it and vouch for the quality.

Response by MSgt Brian Welch made May 15 at 2015 9:12 PM

MSgt Brian Welch — Fri, 15 May 2015 21:12:32 -0400

For your answer you have to look at the intent that they are looking for by requiring influence extending beyond the chain. They are intending to have the cream rise to the top so to speak. There are lots of great NCOs. A great NCO finds it natural to have impact within his chain, hell he does it on a daily basis just in how he carries himself, presents himself, and the communications he has with others. But an exemplarily NCO goes beyond and has further impact. Maybe he's involved at the Post-level in various off duty charity drives, or a Post advisory committee, or you name it. I'm not sure Facebook'n with a bunch of vets meets the intent.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2015 9:57 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 May 2015 21:57:07 -0400

I am going to have to say no. Why, well that is a bit more tricky. Should you get a check mark in the values section if you post something on your Facebook wall that does not conform to military regulations? No, you don't. Do you get recognized for stopping to help an elderly man change his tire, no. These should not go on an NCOER, but they speak about who you are. It goes into what kind of leader you are. The more you do, it becomes you. It will also become expected from you.

Response by TSgt David Holman made May 15 at 2015 10:10 PM

TSgt David Holman — Fri, 15 May 2015 22:10:04 -0400

I would use it as an advice tool, but I don't think I would ever use it in an evaluation. There should be some professional organizations on your base outside of the CoC that you could get involved with. That would show involvement and mentorship.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2015 10:46 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 May 2015 22:46:00 -0400

Some of these answers may be too narrowly focused.

I might not go down the path of highlighting metrics specifically provided by RallyPoint (Influence score, etc...), or even mentioning "RallyPoint" itself, but, what about using RallyPoint to facilitate influence by offering mentorship/leadership?

Consider what SGM Matthew Quick is doing here:
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/records-review-fy15-sfc-board

What if you offered, to RallyPoint NCOs, to review records prior to a promotion board?

What if you come around full circle and captured how many you helped that ACTUALLY got promoted?

If you reviewed the records of 10 Soldiers, and they went on to get promoted, that's 10 for 10....100%....a testament to your effectiveness and influence (beyond your chain of command). You are helping the Army, as an organization, place the best people--those who best prepared and set themselves up for success--to assume roles of even greater leadership and responsibility.

Consider the context of force shaping/draw down, as well....because promotion boards are becoming that much more competitive, I would say, especially nowadays, it would be an even greater testament to your influence and leadership if you were able to help Soldiers get promoted, via stellar records reviews, especially considering this transition to a peacetime Army and the highly competitive nature of it.

"Aggressively provided comprehensive records reviews to 32 Soldiers, throughout CONUS, resulting in 27 promotions across 5 states, during a period of rapid/intense drawdown and transition to highly competitive boards associated with a peace time Army."

...or something like that...

RECORDS REVIEW: FY15 SFC Board | RallyPoint

For those interested, I am available to review active Army SSG records for the upcoming FY15 AC SFC board (convenes 2 June 2015) during the next 30 days. MILPER Message 15-053, SFC Board Announcement - https://www.hrc.army.mil/milper/15-053 Note: Ensure you've completed SSD-3 (required for promotion consideration). If you are interested in getting your records reviewed, email the following documents to matthew.j.quick.mil@mail.mil: - DA Photo...

Response by LTC J. Lee Mudd made May 15 at 2015 10:59 PM

LTC J. Lee Mudd — Fri, 15 May 2015 22:59:57 -0400

SSG James Doherty's original question was 'should' RP be used; to which I would lean to an answer of 'no.'

The better question may be 'could' RP be used when assessing influence outside immediate chains. As a senior rater or reviewer, I would favorably consider comments based on RP or other military-themed networks (Together We Served, for example) if they were well-written and supported.

Response by SGM Eric Lobsinger made May 16 at 2015 12:20 AM

SGM Eric Lobsinger — Sat, 16 May 2015 00:20:30 -0400

SSG Doherty,
Although creative, the challenge is how your rater will qualify and/or quantify a bullet statement such as this on an NCOER. The question of how negative comments on social media can adversely affect a career is pretty easy; but, it is a bit more problematic in demonstrating how a subordinate's comments on a social media site have directly influenced fellow service members. It has been done successfully before. If your rater is considering this approach, he or she is challenged with ensuring the bullet is one the board will consider as validation of an accomplishment.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 19 at 2015 11:38 AM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 19 Sep 2015 11:38:07 -0400

Do you do volunteer work? Help the community?