What is the role of veterans (not actively serving) on RallyPoint?

2013-11-15T12:41:00-05:00

RallyPoint's stated mission is to help make military life better for those currently serving.What is the veteran's role on RallyPoint? Is a veteran's role limited to thoughts, potential job connections and help for those transitioning out of the military and into civilian life? Or could RallyPoint also become a professional network of veterans in civilian business. If so, how? What ways are veterans using RallyPoint?

Response by CW3(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2013 1:30 PM

2013-11-15T13:30:57-05:00

I think you have almost hit every point a veteran could do on rally point. From giving advice to transitioning service members or other veterans to connecting with other members Or finding a potential job or helping someone find a job. The greatest tool the RallyPoint gives is the networking ability. We might not have the need now, but somewhere down the line RallyPoint will help someone with a career making decision.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2013 1:38 PM

2013-11-15T13:38:25-05:00

I think that is the "and beyond" portion they mention. The connections you make to ensure your stability after getting out of the military. From what I've seen, there are quite a few Vets who have done really well for themselves.

Response by SGT Chris Birkinbine made Nov 15 at 2013 2:36 PM

2013-11-15T14:36:56-05:00

If for no other reason, I think Veterans have an important role on RallyPoint for providing advice, and help to those getting ready to make the transition into the civilian world again after active duty.

It is also a good connection between those who spend their lives in an active duty environment to have a middle ground connection with those in the civilian life. I find that many career military people either just don't know, don't understand, or plain forget how things work in the civilian world. I think Veterans serve as perfect mediators having spend a good amount of time in both worlds.

Response by CW2 Geoff Lachance made Nov 16 at 2013 8:45 PM

2013-11-16T20:45:52-05:00

We are brothers and sisters! Our role as veterans is to aid our military family in whatever capacity. There are so many struggling with physical and phycological wounds, suicides, unemployment and many other problems. We must help each other along. Duty, Honor and Country was our purpose while serving and although retired, we are the few who know this to be true. We owe it to those who have fallen to not forget that purpose to which we have all served and which we serve today!

Response by Capt Frank McClung made Nov 26 at 2013 8:29 AM

2013-11-26T08:29:53-05:00

Thanks for the input!

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2013 12:18 PM

2013-11-26T12:18:11-05:00

There are plenty of absolutely vital jobs a retired or any veteran can do to help. One would be to locate housing for displaced veterans and their families. Legal help that actively participates in finding solutions, whether it be a bankruptcy or even a criminal matter. And yes of course, if you have a business you could evaluate their skills and their usefulness to your business. There are a lot of good ideas out here and this was an excellent question. I never regard a person as old school and irrelevant but many vets end up feeling that way.

I talk to Veterans at the VA and PTSD clinics, especially the older ones. A lot of times the VA is where older veterans go to sit, many are all alone and no one is there making the older veteran feel wanted or appreciated.

While there, I try to strike up a conversation with them because ultimately their needs can be met, by social events like parties, commander call set-ups and even talent shows (or the lack thereof) and just have a good time. They have their medals and now they deserve respect, not just a bowed head over a funeral. That is too late then.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2013 9:28 PM

2013-11-26T21:28:51-05:00

So they can share their thoughts, ideas and experiences. We all can learn from each other here.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Nov 26 at 2013 9:34 PM

2013-11-26T21:34:01-05:00

Just like everyone has said, as a Veteran we can give insight to the transition process as well as help establish/build social networks. Networking is very important in the world today. Sometimes it isn't what you know but who you know that help get your foot in the door.

Response by SGT Bonnie L (Hoecker) Silver made Nov 27 at 2013 5:33 PM

2013-11-27T17:33:25-05:00

I was recently hired by Easter Seals with has teamed up with The Dixon Center in establishing a Veterans Transition Initiative. I'm on the core team to create what this roll out initiative will look like. I have worked with several thousand transitioning members from all branches so I have a lot of information to contribute but I will put it out to you, here, if you have any input that you would like to see or feel isn't currently available, etc. any suggestions, tips or advice, please email me at [login to see] or [login to see] Have a great Thanksgiving. Be blessed and Be in gratitude.

Response by LT Peter Gallagher made Nov 28 at 2013 11:47 AM

2013-11-28T11:47:32-05:00

I wish there was an RP when I left active duty. There are countless questions about work transition, college, graduate school, etc that you need to bounce around an experienced, trusted group of folks. For me today, RP is fundamental. I just launched a Veteran Owned strategy consulting firm. This site is the best source I've found to put questions out and get solid, candid feedback from other (Veteran) business owners. We're in this together.

Response by MAJ Craig Clark made Nov 28 at 2013 3:23 PM

2013-11-28T15:23:29-05:00

Frank - you hit the nail on the head. Over the last
month I’ve become increasingly frustrated on Rally Point as I’ve witness people
wanting to talk about, what I view as, insignificant topics. Topics such as what is your favorite cadence
or should people who didn’t actually do 20 years be allowed to be called retirees,
all the while watching certain retirees hide behind their previous military
rank and “hold court” with those of lesser rank.

WE ARE SO MUCH BETTER THAN THAT FOLKS.

From a veteran standpoint, I see Rally Point as a place for those
who have transitioned to assist those about to transition or help those who are
having a hard time finding work/adjusting to civilian life. Be their sounding board to help them find
their way. No rank, no egos, just people
who share the brotherhood of military service assisting those in need, where we
can, along the path they’ve chosen.

I’d like to see a section on Rally Point where transitioning
soldiers can get assistance writing their resumes, be assigned mentors, be
instructed on how to interview, how to change the military acronyms into
language civilians can understand, how to network, how to ask for a raise, how
to get a job, how to apply for a loan, how to do whatever it is that they need
to do.

I’ve met many on Rally Point who have the skills to asset vets
and transitioning military members. We
can make Rally Point’s open forum what we want and I’m stepping up willing to
put my experience in the civilian world to good use. Anyone
else of the same mind?

Response by PO1 John Shope made Nov 28 at 2013 7:22 PM

2013-11-28T19:22:09-05:00

I was reading the comments here on Rally Point and I'm a little hesitant about posting this, but how do you network with other veterans here on Rally Point? Or for that matter find support network? I still suffer the psychological wounds from my military service - things you just don't talk about with just anyone and the counselors at the VA, well I don't think they have a complete understanding at time how hard things can be since I'm not a combat veteran. I've been out for over two years and I'm still having a hard time transitioning back to civilian life.

Response by Cpl Ray Fernandez made Nov 28 at 2013 8:28 PM

2013-11-28T20:28:51-05:00

Learning from your mistakes is said to be a good thing, and learning from others mistakes is the best thing. A lot of veterans can help each other as well as current active duty members by sharing experiences and letting people currently serving know what to do and what to expect to make their transition out of active service easier. I think veterans can help each other as well by letting another veteran who may be in search of a job who may be hiring if someone else is looking for a specific skill set. Not all roles are tangible or even obvious all the time.

Response by Lt Col Skip Fleshman made Nov 29 at 2013 6:19 PM

2013-11-29T18:19:50-05:00

This is a great question. Setting RallyPoint aside for a minute, I personally like to try to help members transition out of the military, help veterans looking for something new to do, stay in better touch with active duty friends/veterans and connect with like-minded veterans in my local area. Living in the SF bay area, it's always fun to connect w/ veterans now working in the technology industry.

I think RallyPoint can be a great tool for all of my connection points to the military.

Response by TSgt Marcial Guajardo made Nov 30 at 2013 10:17 PM

2013-11-30T22:17:21-05:00

Perspective

Response by SSgt George Brown made Mar 7 at 2014 8:53 PM

2014-03-07T20:53:19-05:00

We can mentor those who are currently in, and it is a great resource for vets as well.

Response by CPT Richard Riley made Mar 22 at 2014 6:44 PM

2014-03-22T18:44:06-04:00

Searched & found this question while I though of something similar .... Without stealing anyone's thunder, RallyPoint is only what you make of it - no more, no less. There are comments about insignificant or silly issues just as there are questions and updates about real-time problems. It is, in its basic form, a military networking site. You have the ability to search the comment base to find questions and answers to a myriad of subjects. It is a virtual resource that is free to use, easy to update, and accommodates all walks of military life.

Stating that it is what you make of it, will depend on what you want to get out of it. You have to admit that it's never bland or boring & that is part of it's beauty. There are not very many places you can go to interact with the diverse group of current and former military personnel from all different walks of life. You can focus on what you currently need, you can ask questions, you can often times find answers to something because your question has been asked before, responses in a thread can run the gambit from currently serving, retired, enlisted, officer, and anywhere in-between.

I was going to start a discussion with: Is there anything currently serving members NEED from veterans that they have difficulty finding. but with a little research the question has already been posed.

I think, in the end from a veterans standpoint, RallyPoint gives you back some of the camaraderie you had while serving and gives you a place to distribute the knowledge you gained in a forum and format that's easy to use and successful on most if not every count.