What is your opinion regarding interaction with anonymous RallyPoint members?

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 22:58:02 -0400

I, as I'm sure many of you, have observed anonymous RP members participating in discussions. I personally find it a tad unsettling to have someone who does not wish to be identified offering advice or opinions on a site for professionals. Does anyone else feel this way or do you not see it as a valid concern?

I am not questioning one's right to remain anonymous as RP obviously allows it. I'm just asking how people feel about participating in a discussion when they do not have insight into the person they are conversing with.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2014 11:02 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 23:02:49 -0400

Maj Robert Petrarca
Well, sooner or later, you knew it was gonna happen - Dudely Doowap was finally gonna say something that (a) made sense (b) I actually agree with.

I have no problem with those who want to simply monitor the comments. But if you're gonna make a comment, express your opinion and/or participate in something other than being a spy - then I say you need to grow a pair and put your name on what you say. I could care less if you're the Chief of Staff, Chief of Naval Operations, Commandant, or some Intell weeny that thinks they gotta have anonymity to protect their down range identity. If you fit those categories - you don't need to be here.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Jul 2 at 2014 11:18 PM

COL Vincent Stoneking — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 23:18:12 -0400

For me, it would depend on the context of the discussion. If appeals are being made to logic, I am probably ok with it. If appeals are being made to experience, I am throughly unimpressed, unless previous interactions with that person have led me to a different conclusion. I'm thinking here of "SSG R. K." or things like that, where there is enough identity to recognize them. I don't think I've seen any TRUE anonymous posts here. If they're actually anonymous, I have no use for them.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2014 11:25 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 23:25:44 -0400

I agree that it's unsettling. It's people like that who you have to worry about twisting things you say and taking comments out of context then being a BF and running to your COC.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Jul 3 at 2014 6:43 AM

MSG Wade Huffman — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 06:43:33 -0400

As a point of clarification, are you referring to those who show up as (rank)(servicemember)? If so, I think I may have an explanation. We retirees can not see their information unless the individual allows it on their own profile settings. Other servicemembers can see the info. Not sure it works in reverse with them being able to automatically see our info. This may just be them not being aware that their info is not visible to everyone in the forum.
This is the only thing close to anonymous I have seen on here.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Jul 3 at 2014 8:18 AM

SSG Robert Burns — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 08:18:36 -0400

I frequently change my name, picture, or just go anonymous at times so that I don't always get bombarded by the press when Im out in public. Not sure if this is why everyone else does it, but this is the life I live.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Jul 3 at 2014 10:38 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 10:38:52 -0400

I'm not a big fan of the "Servicemember". This is a social networking site which the goal of building your network and establish well-meaning and beneficial connections. Kinda hard to do when there are so many "Servicemember" profiles out there.

Response by MAJ Jim Woods made Jul 3 at 2014 10:48 AM

MAJ Jim Woods — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 10:48:18 -0400

I agree with Maj. Petrarca.

I try not to acknowledge any anonymous contributions. If they want to remain anonymous then I figure I contribute to their privacy by not responding to them.

OK that was political correctness at its best. How I really feel is that if they do not wish to reveal their identity, they got something to hide......LOL.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2014 10:53 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 10:53:30 -0400

I really question the person that does this. Even if they mean well but one speaks from experience. If one does not have a profile how do I know what they are saying is well founded or thought out from relevant experience. There has been several times that I looked at a persons profile when they responded. I do not view the response with any less favor but query to their experience in said topic. If someone was talking about infantry related issues but never served a day in the infantry that might let me focus on a response in return. If a person has a blink profile I might just think it was a PVT suffering from grandiose with illusions of his past to fill the void of his/her lack of knowledge.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jul 3 at 2014 1:12 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 13:12:29 -0400

I don't like anonymous posts. If you are going to say something, at least have the courage to put your name next to it and claim it.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Jul 3 at 2014 1:28 PM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 13:28:55 -0400

I could be anonymous? Seriously, I had no idea you could go stealth or incognito. To cool for "OLD SCHOOL"! LMAO, seriously if you can't man (or woman) up with your sage advice and opinion under who you are, then why do it in the first place? Hummmmm, maybe I ought to go get me one of those awesome Mexican wrestling masks and take a picture and come up with a unique name to be anonymous!

Response by LCpl Steve Wininger made Jul 3 at 2014 3:54 PM

LCpl Steve Wininger — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 15:54:49 -0400

I find it troubling that one would have to post anonymously. Although everyone has the right, and ability, to do so, I question their credibility. I am certain they have valid reasons for doing so but it leaves a lingering question as to why they feel they have to.

I have wondered about the "Service Member" posts, but I never took them as serious as I do someone that isn't incognito.

Response by LCDR Doug Nordman made Jul 3 at 2014 5:41 PM

LCDR Doug Nordman — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 17:41:10 -0400

I'm a little unclear on RallyPoint's vocabulary. By "anonymous" does that mean "unverified"?

Or does "anonymous" mean that someone has switched all of their profile settings from "Public" to "Hide" or "Only me"?

I have no problem with anonymous ("Hide"/"Only me") advice, as long as the poster understands that there's no such thing as anonymous credibility...
(signed) -- Doug Nordman

Response by MSG Floyd Williams made Jul 3 at 2014 8:52 PM

MSG Floyd Williams — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 20:52:08 -0400

What is the purpose being on Rally Point if he/she want to be anonymous?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2014 10:44 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 22:44:17 -0400

I personally don't care if their name or picture is available. If the advice/commentary is good, then it is good whether they are anonymous or not. Seeing someone's name and/or picture does not provide any credence to someone's comments in my book. I read the post, comment, or advice and will decide if I think it is of any quality. I rarely even notice who made the post unless it is a job specific question.

Response by Cpl Glynis Sakowicz made Jul 4 at 2014 11:53 AM

Cpl Glynis Sakowicz — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 11:53:16 -0400

Not being Catholic, but it sorta reminds me of a confessional, you know? You state what is in your mind, and an unseen person comments on your views. I agree that I respect those people for who and what they are and their experiences, but it would be nice to be able to understand WHO exactly it is.

Response by SGT Leigh Barton made Jul 4 at 2014 1:13 PM

SGT Leigh Barton — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 13:13:01 -0400

Anonymous commentators can just go right ahead and join in. As a rule I'll hit the thumbs up just to indicate that I've responded. But Anonymous has down voted me a couple times. I've got broad shoulders that crap just rolls right off of. But if there's a chance that either Anonymous or I can benefit from the response, then bring it. Hopefully one of us will have the symptoms of rectal/cranial inversion reduced.

Response by CMDCM Gene Treants made Jul 4 at 2014 11:30 PM

CMDCM Gene Treants — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 23:30:02 -0400

No, I have a really hard time taking someone who is hiding his/her name seriously. This is a networking site first and foremost. If you do not want to be taken seriously then continue to hide your information, most of us will continue to ignore you even when you downvote us.

Active Duty people, why limit the ability of Vets and Retired to see your career information? I just don't get it. Can any of you clarify and/or justify that so I understand it? All of my stuff is out there for you to see and I am not ashamed of any of it, why are you? Or am I just missing the obvious. Please, please enlighten me if you can.

Response by SGT Thomas Lucken made Jul 5 at 2014 11:20 AM

SGT Thomas Lucken — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 11:20:55 -0400

If you have to hide your identity, then you don't need to be in the discussions!!!! That is how I feel.

Response by 1SG Larry Everly made Jul 5 at 2014 12:05 PM

1SG Larry Everly — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 12:05:49 -0400

When I go to the local supermarket or retail store, I frequently interact with strangers throughout the store. We're from the same community so there's a commonality between us to some degree. I consider RP a similar situation. We're all soldiers past and present or civilians who support soldiers in some manner. We share a common thread; we're American's...family! I enjoy reading everyone's viewpoints although I may not always agree.

Response by SGT Richard Pacheco made Jul 5 at 2014 11:57 PM

SGT Richard Pacheco — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 23:57:52 -0400

It's good to hear from everyone and every aspect.

Response by MSgt Stephan Hall made Mar 8 at 2015 10:04 PM

MSgt Stephan Hall — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 22:04:41 -0400

Interesting post, sorta defects the purpose of the venue.

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2015 10:55 PM

CPO Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 22:55:52 -0400

without a picture or without some information that allows open communication and to know who i am speaking with, then to me, it is rare I will place much value in many things the other may share. I will always weigh things, just not as heavily since for all I know, they are the type of troll that would be booted from most any other site. Not sure what the standard is here. Usually though, those are the same people that make stuff up as they go and then leave the stink behind.
Finally, I may not have much, one thing I do have is my personal integrity and my name. I will speak for myself, rather proud of my name and those I have loved in my life. I have had a fantastic career and a crappy career. I am sure in the end, The things that were the most difficult are the most rewarding and those that are a walk in the park is simply a moment out of the storm to recover and gain for the next test. To hide behind the made up name or the empty shell of a silhouette to me would only be to represent just that, an empty shell.

Response by MSG John Wirts made Nov 3 at 2015 12:17 AM

MSG John Wirts — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 00:17:18 -0500

I tend to avoid the anonymous discussion participants, I was totally disrespected by "service member" No identifying info, no service branch, gender, or even country. Everything I related from my service time was contradicted, ridiculed, or disparaged. That one definitely had an ID TEN T error, between the ears.

Response by SGT Leigh Barton made Nov 6 at 2015 6:38 PM

SGT Leigh Barton — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 18:38:43 -0500

Anonymity has never been able to mask "rectal - cranial inversion syndrome" By the same token, potentially useful information may be coming from sources that wish the information provided evaluated on its own merits as opposed to their history.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Dec 21 at 2016 7:13 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 19:13:41 -0500

They don't want to be known as having been noticed. I oblige.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Dec 21 at 2016 9:05 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 21:05:18 -0500

If you can't say it as yourself then maybe you should consider not saying it.

Response by LCpl Donald Faucett made Sep 25 at 2017 4:00 PM

LCpl Donald Faucett — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 16:00:35 -0400

I consider them as third parties. You may connecting with "Rocketman"

Response by LCpl Donald Faucett made Sep 25 at 2017 4:02 PM

LCpl Donald Faucett — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 16:02:21 -0400

Agreed

Response by LCpl Donald Faucett made Sep 26 at 2017 3:53 PM

LCpl Donald Faucett — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 15:53:22 -0400

It is the enemies jobs to infilitrate any and everything they can. If they get their foot in the door, tons of personal information will sure to be hacked, or attempted. I say no!

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jul 11 at 2018 9:28 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 21:28:53 -0400

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca I just now went thru ‘People’ on RP and blocked all of the “Anonymous” names I could locate.

Seek responsibility, accept responsiblity or don’t bother me. W/o that acceptance, an opinion or vote ain’t worth used dog feces!

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Jul 12 at 2018 7:54 AM

SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM — Thu, 12 Jul 2018 07:54:31 -0400

why hide? you got something to say have the balls to show your face then hide behind your rank or a computer screen.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Aug 18 at 2018 1:18 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Sat, 18 Aug 2018 13:18:29 -0400

I do not inter-act nor respond or nuthing else w/ anonymous posters!