What are your thoughts about civilians (such as family) members on RP?

SGT Chris Birkinbine — Thu, 05 May 2016 13:21:23 -0400

I read the original response to this question two years ago, and almost unanimously service members and vets were against the idea, and yet it persisted. Now that it has been about two years, and the number of non military people on here has drastically increased, what are the thoughts of service members and veterans?

Personally I would still rather they were not here.

Response by SFC Wade W. made May 5 at 2016 1:24 PM

SFC Wade W. — Thu, 05 May 2016 13:24:52 -0400

I am not comfortable with civilians in a military setting. On FB it becomes a major problem when civs want to insert themselves into our conversations. I am happy with us, military and veterans in this group.

Response by TSgt Dawn Premock made May 5 at 2016 1:59 PM

TSgt Dawn Premock — Thu, 05 May 2016 13:59:31 -0400

The only civilians I believe should be on RP are dependents.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2016 2:14 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 May 2016 14:14:27 -0400

Military setting? Really? This is a PUBLIC forum with a military focus. There are controls in place to remove offending members, military and civilian alike and they have been used well. I see no need to bar non military members. Most of them are supporters; those who are just lurking, or want to come and do stupid shit are quickly flamed and removed by the admin.

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made May 5 at 2016 2:34 PM

PO1 Brian Austin — Thu, 05 May 2016 14:34:14 -0400

I don't have a problem with civilians, recruiters, supporters, dependents, govt, or potential enlistee's joining. Nothing wrong with an exchange of ideas or opinions. Might learn something on the way or change some preconceived notions.

If they start trolling i have no doubt our esteemed Admin's will squash that quickly.

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made May 5 at 2016 3:06 PM

Col Joseph Lenertz — Thu, 05 May 2016 15:06:38 -0400

I remain opposed. While there are many military family members who might be very nice people and who might like to be on the site, I like RP as military only because we share the oath of service, we have a common bond...and when the rhetoric gets hot or the arguments move toward unprofessional, we can return to the common bond and be brothers again.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2016 3:08 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 May 2016 15:08:53 -0400

There are civilian recruiters on this site and that helps our members. There are also civilian supporters, and we can appreciate their support. We also have potential recruits, and if we can answer questions and support them, we are doing what RallyPoint should be doing: supporting past, present and future members of the military family.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made May 5 at 2016 5:21 PM

SSG Carlos Madden — Thu, 05 May 2016 17:21:50 -0400

Great questions. The short answer is about six months ago we debated opening up RallyPoint to everyone. We decided to try it with the understanding that if civilians began to overrun the network and detract from it as a Military site, we would close it down. That did not happen and the civilians have been a small minority of contributors and positive additions to the community. As SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" said, we have much stricter requirements and standards for Civilian accounts as well.

Response by SFC Randy Purham made May 5 at 2016 6:01 PM

SFC Randy Purham — Thu, 05 May 2016 18:01:14 -0400

Civilians are a value added asset to the military community. Remember that you were once a civilian and will be one again if you live enough.

Response by SPC Rory J. Mattheisen made May 6 at 2016 1:58 PM

SPC Rory J. Mattheisen — Fri, 06 May 2016 13:58:44 -0400

I personally know that the inclusion of everyone affected by military life can only be a good thing. I appreciate the point of view and have had civilians in my personal life reaching out be the reason their loved on is on this side of the dirt. Many times the spouse or kids can ask questions that a service member is afraid to.

Response by SGT David T. made May 6 at 2016 3:26 PM

SGT David T. — Fri, 06 May 2016 15:26:16 -0400

The military and veteran communities are not cloistered. Family members are an integral part of military and to separate them takes something away from the whole. I have no issues with them as a group. They bring a different perspective to the table and the community here has the opportunity to break some stereotypes that civilians have of us.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Jul 22 at 2016 10:52 AM

MCPO Roger Collins — Fri, 22 Jul 2016 10:52:45 -0400

As long as the individual is interested in the military or associated with the military, I'm good with their being on here. With one caveat, they fill out a profile that let's us know where they are coming from.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Jul 22 at 2016 12:33 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Fri, 22 Jul 2016 12:33:04 -0400

Wasn't there a topic a while back complaining that the civilians don't understand us and that causes them not to stand by us? I'll take the civies and trust RP to manage them.