Posted on May 15, 2015
Why don't we discuss topics that are more relevant to Junior enlisted?
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I had a Soldier reply to my last post of Junior enlisted not participating and he mande a valid point. Most on here are senior and we do not discuss many of the things they are interested in. Here is what he said when I asked what topics Junior Enlisted would like to see.
thanks for asking! SSD1, How to prepare for your first deployment, How to build better relationships with your leadership, How to understand your ERB (some doesn't even know where to find it), Soldier of the month, quarter boards, TSP how to set it and selections, How to apply for TA and when you are eligible. SFC there's a world of topics for the Junior Enlisted that are not spoken here often because most of the active users here have already passed that phase.
I believe part of RP is mentoring young Soldiers so post your comments on some of these topics and what you do.
thanks for asking! SSD1, How to prepare for your first deployment, How to build better relationships with your leadership, How to understand your ERB (some doesn't even know where to find it), Soldier of the month, quarter boards, TSP how to set it and selections, How to apply for TA and when you are eligible. SFC there's a world of topics for the Junior Enlisted that are not spoken here often because most of the active users here have already passed that phase.
I believe part of RP is mentoring young Soldiers so post your comments on some of these topics and what you do.
PFC
SPC
Leadership
Mentorship
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 44
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PFC Kyle Klofstad
MSgt Keith Hebert Some things, such as the ERB, soldier of the month board, and quarter boards, are things that shouldn't need to be asked about because they are important facets of enlisted life and should be discussed, taught, and gone over early on. One example may be to even introduce a short class in BCT to teach soldiers how to read their ERB's and LES's.
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SrA Edward Vong
Ultimately everyone has been an E-1 to E-4 at one point, unless they came in commissioned. I'm pretty sure there are things that we have all seen as junior enlisted that can be brought up.
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SSG(P) (Join to see)
You're the center of your own universe at this age and the world changes so fast at this age.
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We discuss questions that are posted. If our junior enlisted folks post a question, we can discuss it.
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
LTC David Stender Sir, I've post a few questions that I think your input would be very valuable. Do you mind giving them a look and answer them if you may?
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1SG (Join to see)
LTC David Stender Per my discussion yesterday of why Junioer Enlisted dont participant on RP discussions one of the major results was they're questions get ignored or ridiculed what do you think we can do to resolve this issue?
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SSG Timothy McCoy
SFC (P) Michael Loveless, I may have missed the boat here, the only questions that get ridiculed are for two reasons. I have found them for; 1) that the guff comes their own peers or 2) they keep beating them same dead horse in that Discussions.
As an old (ie as in older than rocks, younger than dust), Leader, and a Teachers Kid, I believe that we here can answer those question that are asked some what anonymously in a "Safe" venue, no matter how redundant they are.
As an old (ie as in older than rocks, younger than dust), Leader, and a Teachers Kid, I believe that we here can answer those question that are asked some what anonymously in a "Safe" venue, no matter how redundant they are.
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SSgt (Join to see)
I have not been on RP long, so might be missing something. The only questions I have witnessed being ridiculed are ones along the lines of "my supervisor is an a-hole, how do I get him to leave me alone" or "my supervisor wrote me paperwork, how do I get out of it".
I have yet to see a single intelligent question be ridiculed by anyone.
I have yet to see a single intelligent question be ridiculed by anyone.
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1SG (Join to see) THANKS for bringing this to every body's attention! I bet there's a lot of Junior Enlisted that will benefit from this discussion.
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MSG Brad Sand
SGT(P) (Join to see)
I think RP can be an excellent resource for young soldiers like your self. Do not be afraid to ask questions and build relationships with those senior to you. Learn from our mistakes and success. Additionally, help your peers to do the same.
I think RP can be an excellent resource for young soldiers like your self. Do not be afraid to ask questions and build relationships with those senior to you. Learn from our mistakes and success. Additionally, help your peers to do the same.
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
MSG Brad Sand that's what I've been doing for the last 6 months, and with my last discussions I've been trying to bring my peers into the discussions.
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MSG Brad Sand
SGT(P) (Join to see)
Good for you. If there is ever anything I can do to help, never be afraid to reach out. I have high expectations of you...you are our Army's future. We are all replying on you.
Good for you. If there is ever anything I can do to help, never be afraid to reach out. I have high expectations of you...you are our Army's future. We are all replying on you.
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I think the junior enlisted have the most to gain by RP, if they are smart enough to use it. Key word 'if'. I love helping these young American heroes.
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1SG (Join to see)
Great comment MSG Brad Sand could you give any feedback on the topics that are discussed in the writing of my post.
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MSG Brad Sand
1SG (Join to see)
I do balk a bit answering most of these questions because I have retired and how quickly things change.
The simple answer to most of these questions, in my mind, is to talk with their first line supervisor...their squad leader should be providing all this information. If they are not, then they need to be asking.
I do balk a bit answering most of these questions because I have retired and how quickly things change.
The simple answer to most of these questions, in my mind, is to talk with their first line supervisor...their squad leader should be providing all this information. If they are not, then they need to be asking.
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While I would love to see more Junior Enlisted creating and joining discussions in Rally Point I feel there are two reasons for a more leadership exclusive(ish) conversation set.
1. Most of the topics are created by NCO's or Officers, and Vets that were NCO's and Officers. It would stand to reason that those conversations would be in their interest group.
2. The topics we discuss related to leadership and current events are great professional development topics for Junior Enlisted ready to step into leadership. It is a bit of a challenge for them and helps them think critically. A wonderful example of such a critical thinker is SGT (Join to see). I think she is a shining example of how we as leaders, and former leaders, want to engage Junior Service Members.
Neither of these negate the relevant point that there are topics which are very relevant to Junior Enlisted that are probably not broached. I encourage any Junior Enlisted Service Member to speak out, ask, and learn. This is a great place for them to do so.
1. Most of the topics are created by NCO's or Officers, and Vets that were NCO's and Officers. It would stand to reason that those conversations would be in their interest group.
2. The topics we discuss related to leadership and current events are great professional development topics for Junior Enlisted ready to step into leadership. It is a bit of a challenge for them and helps them think critically. A wonderful example of such a critical thinker is SGT (Join to see). I think she is a shining example of how we as leaders, and former leaders, want to engage Junior Service Members.
Neither of these negate the relevant point that there are topics which are very relevant to Junior Enlisted that are probably not broached. I encourage any Junior Enlisted Service Member to speak out, ask, and learn. This is a great place for them to do so.
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I have no issues passing on any advice or wisdom that I may have (I enjoy the mentoring aspect of the job), but you have to ask. As a senior officer, I am very removed from what is going through the mind of an 18yr old PVT and what is important to his world. And I am sure that is the same for many of the senior members here. I can't give if I don't know what's needed.
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1SG (Join to see)
Agreed Sir it sounds like you do relate to the Junior Soldiers cause to me young officers (2LT-1LT) are still junior and you just do it at a different level. Thanks for your input and I enjoyed your feedback and it gave me a different perspective.
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CPT Pedro Meza
One solution is that junior enlisted ease drop on our dialogue, in other hands read our dialogues. RP is a good place for all to look and read and learn or accept what is being posted but please choose wisely from what you read.
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PFC Kyle Klofstad
This is just a suggestion, and maybe it's a little crazy, but maybe it wouldn't hurt if on occasion a lower enlisted who has questions about why things are the way they are could take turns sitting in (quietly, respectfully, and as an observer only) on some of the less sensitive meetings? ex: PFC John Doe doesn't like staying at the company so late for reasons that his leaders aren't able to or won't give him. Maybe let him sit in on a 1SG meeting or PSG meeting, then ask him after words if understood what was going on. Chances are, it he did, he can then tell his squad mates and alleviate some of the tension among that builds up when you're staying late don't ever know why.
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We have a tendency to talk abt supervision and management issues. I remember when I was an E-1 to 3, (34 years ago), I was a mind of mush and depended on people above me to coach, career counsel, take me by the hand and lead me. I was lucky. Instead of being screamed at, people brought out Regs an SOPS and made me what I am today. We burden our first line leaders with so much paperwork now, the have their heads looking down at a desk or computer screen. Nobody is looking up to see what is going around them. Hense, we loose GOOD first termers b/c we don't give them the attention and personal interaction the need; require; and desperately need and deserve. I attend 1SG meetings in the BDE and discuss these issues. Amazing how these issues get fixed when someone gives a damn...and retention goes up!!!
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This is a great suggestion 1SG (Join to see). Getting the junior enlisted more involved here will benefit everyone. Thanks for facilitating this conversation!
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Those are great topics, I didn't have great leadership so I was on my own to find out about the majority of the posted topics. I'm sure I'll learn some new stuff on here as well.
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1SG (Join to see)
Oh ok, that's what I was wondering about was if it was on your career map. Good deal then.
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We do discuss issues relevant to junior enlisted whether they know it or not. I witnessed and personally contributed to many issues regarding junior enlisted. We've discussed pay, promotion requirements, schools, education, uniforms, financial stability, deployments and it effects, UCMJ, LES, Awards, EO/Sexual Assault, and many other topics related to the junior enlisted.
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1SG (Join to see)
SFC Michael Jackson, MBA First of all love the name. I am glad to here this and I have not seen many these posted with that a said maybe we need to tag the PFC, PVT, and SPC when posting them to get them involved and let them know it is a good topic for them.
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SFC Michael Jackson, MBA
1SG (Join to see), thanks for name complement. I think that tagging some of them is a great idea and I'll do more of that. I don't want to feel I'm singling them out or targeting them. I respect everyone's contributions. Sometimes when you tag people it gets misinterpreted as pointing the finger rather than an invitation to discussion.
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PFC Kyle Klofstad
1SG (Join to see) and @SFC Michael Jackson, MBA, I think tagging whole ranks for a discussion topic is an excellent idea and I wouldn't mind putting my two cents in to help further a topic along. I believe getting lower enlisted involved with discussions here would be very beneficial to them, and if I had know about this forum I probably wouldn't have gotten myself into near as much trouble as I did for questioning my superiors.
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