Why are so many Active Service Members names hidden from Veterans and Retired members, while ours are displayed for all to see?

CMDCM Gene Treants — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 13:49:15 -0500

I am not at all woriied that my name is out there for Active Duty to see, but why the "secrecy" about your names? It just seems strange to me that Active Duty members names are hidden and cannot be view by Retired and/or Veterans, unless they choose to allow it.  Many SM do allow it, but those who do not, Why Not?  Is it that you are worried that you might be identified by a crusty old fart and IDed?  I am just not sure of the reasoning.  Can you enlighten me?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2014 2:28 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 14:28:56 -0500

MCPO Treants,

I believe the reason why so many active service members names are hidden from veterans and retired members has to do with the default member settings on Rally Point. Some active service members, for the sake of OPSEC, prefer this setting, while others are not aware that this setting is active. However, there are some active service members who choose to allow their full name to be viewed by other RP members.

Veteran and retired members of RP do have a choice to hide their names (and their photos) from the public and from other RP members. This can be done by clicking on the triangle in the upper right corner of the screen. From there, select "Settings" and go to "Privacy Settings". In "Privacy Settings" you can keep your name, picture and other information from your RP profile hidden to certain members or non-members of RP.

I hope that this answer helps.

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Jan 29 at 2014 2:32 PM

1SG Steven Stankovich — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 14:32:09 -0500

I wish I could shed some light on this for you Master Chief. Maybe it does have something to do with a sense of "freedom of maneuver without fear of reprisal." I am personally a big fan of putting my name next to my comments.

Response by SFC Stephen P. made Jan 29 at 2014 3:31 PM

SFC Stephen P. — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 15:31:55 -0500

I don't recall messing with the settings. Checking it just now, I saw my name showing as "partial" to verified veterans.

I honestly was unaware of the option.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jan 29 at 2014 5:47 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 17:47:20 -0500

I didn't even know the option existed...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2014 6:37 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 18:37:58 -0500

Master Chief, thank you for pointing this out. I honestly had no idea about those options.

Response by Lt Col Luis A. Rojas made Jan 29 at 2014 10:42 PM

Lt Col Luis A. Rojas — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 22:42:23 -0500

Master Chief; Thank you for the heads up, I just checked my settings and made the appropriate changes to allow both active duty and veterans to view my profile.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2014 11:44 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 23:44:29 -0500

MCPO Treants, mine is set so that verified veterans can view my name, but unverified veterans cannot.  <div><br></div><div>It's not because I have something to hide.  It's because whe<span style="font-size: 13px;">n given a choice, I don't share my personally identifiable information (PII) with those who don't have a need to know.  That rule was preached to me in basic training and is reiterated every year in one of our mandatory training courses.</span></div>

Response by SSG Mike Angelo made Mar 15 at 2014 4:22 AM

SSG Mike Angelo — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 04:22:04 -0400

we veterans r special

Response by PO1 Nathan Watts made May 16 at 2016 2:14 PM

PO1 Nathan Watts — Mon, 16 May 2016 14:14:32 -0400

You either stand behind your statements with your real name or your statements are literally worthless. Such is the reason I don't even reply to them when they post. For all I know they could be just some snot nosed brat Daddy didn't spank enough.

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Mar 25 at 2017 12:06 PM

SSgt Boyd Herrst — Sat, 25 Mar 2017 12:06:53 -0400

I agree with the "need-to-know", maybe the mbr. could use "nom d'guerre" known only to The Colonel and admins..? (An idea?) another idea where it says security clearance would be need to know or PMYOB , it might sound rude or that
Word(cringe): not p.c... I think even displaying a clearance is redundant after
S'body has completed their service . Nice but We really don't need to know! Kinda like tootin' your own horn..

Response by 1SG David Niles made Jul 27 at 2017 7:55 PM

1SG David Niles — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 19:55:29 -0400

What I don't get is why a civilian member gets to be hidden when they are checking out my profile, kind of creeps me out

Response by MSG David Johnson made Dec 16 at 2017 10:02 PM

MSG David Johnson — Sat, 16 Dec 2017 22:02:25 -0500

I believe initially the settings were such that you had to be verified to view any active duty names. Once you were verified you could see everyone's names. Over time they have added different levels of security settings but never really advertised them.
I know that I have never changed my settings since I was verified way back whenever.

Response by MSG Micheal P Floyd Jr made Jan 4 at 2018 8:06 AM

MSG Micheal P Floyd Jr — Thu, 04 Jan 2018 08:06:18 -0500

I am one of those whose name isn’t identified, so allow me to enlighten my brothers and sisters as to “Why”. Many of us are “Classified”, and our identity doesn’t exist - on paper or data base. When was the last time you met a Seal Team? When was the last time a member of the CIA stopped you for speeding past him recklessly? When was the last time you met a M.P., who was assigned to a vital operation within NORAD, Central Command, Area 51, or her sisters. Let’s just say, “you haven’t”, and from this “you won’t”... Live with it, because there are some things you don’t have a need to know and there are some people you don’t need to know.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Jan 4 at 2018 11:48 AM

SSG Edward Tilton — Thu, 04 Jan 2018 11:48:57 -0500

That and false ranks

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2018 11:49 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Jan 2018 11:49:19 -0500

I think because some have top security clearances or members of special opts. (SEALS, Delta, etc.)

Response by SSgt Kerry Dillon made Sep 16 at 2018 5:47 PM

SSgt Kerry Dillon — Sun, 16 Sep 2018 17:47:43 -0400

I belive names are omitted due to terrorism threat i know in the past that some active duty members recieved threats

Response by Lt Col Michael Kwan made Aug 4 at 2019 2:20 AM

Lt Col Michael Kwan — Sun, 04 Aug 2019 02:20:50 -0400

Ever hear of hacking?

Response by MSgt Manuel Diaz made Apr 25 at 2021 9:06 PM

MSgt Manuel Diaz — Sun, 25 Apr 2021 21:06:27 -0400

Consequences of saying the right thing to to the wrong person.