Posted on Dec 2, 2014
Would you like to see a RallyPoint like website for veterans, active and retired that is not for professional development?
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So it was explained to me by a RP administrator that RP is meant for serious professional military development. He also pointed out that because the military I served in was nothing like today's therefore my experience is irrelevant. As RP members we are only supposed to be discussing things like regulations, how to get promoted etc. Please don't tell me facebook provides what I am talking about. It doesn't.
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RallyPoint
RallyPoint
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 46
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Looks like RP runs the gamut from old dogs like us to young bucks and lasses just getting their feet wet in the Military and they can always learn from us Old Dudes and Dudetes. Keep putting in your 2 cents since you've been there and done that!
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I would like to see RP team up with veterans groups, wounded warrior project, etc. So that we can have tools to reach out and help those who are suffering the invisible wound. This is something that I care so very much about, for those of you who have know a service member who has fallen on their own sword you know very well what I mean. When they do this awful thing their pain becomes that of those who love them.
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Cpl Brett Wagner
SSG John Erny - That sir is an outstanding idea. If each of the 190 some thousand RP members donated .50 that would be a nice amount of money. There ar emany great ones out there, Fisher House, Wounded Warrior, IMSFF, etc. It would be great props for RP too. We should approach Maj Weiss with this idea.
I'm asking all my RP friends (did not list all but ones I could remember or easily access) to check out what this outstanding solider SSG John Erny had to say.
SSG Andres Redondo GySgt Austin Belanger MAJ Carl BallingerMSgt Curtis Borders PO2 David Wagner MCPO Gene Treants Capt Jeff Schwager SFC Kristine Erb SFC Mark Merino MAJ Robert Petrarca SPC Shelby Thundercloud LCpl Steve Wininger TSgt Tifani McCauley
I'm asking all my RP friends (did not list all but ones I could remember or easily access) to check out what this outstanding solider SSG John Erny had to say.
SSG Andres Redondo GySgt Austin Belanger MAJ Carl BallingerMSgt Curtis Borders PO2 David Wagner MCPO Gene Treants Capt Jeff Schwager SFC Kristine Erb SFC Mark Merino MAJ Robert Petrarca SPC Shelby Thundercloud LCpl Steve Wininger TSgt Tifani McCauley
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Personally - I'm against FB. Entirely too many wanna-be experts (expert definition: ex - formerly or belonging to; spert - drip under high pressure) on subject matters they can't actually spell the words to. I also disagree with the "free-for-all" attitude of FB - which allows people who don't have a clue to speak their mind without what they believe is no consequence. Too many people are under the impression they can just spout out bullshite endlessly without consequence - which is not true. They (non-military personnel) are free to say what they wish about the government without the government beign able to muzzle them in any manner. However, that "freedom of speech" does not prevent reactions to one's comments by individuals, etc., which is where a lot of people get themselves in trouble at work for instance.
Don't get me wrong - you wanna go out and spout out some unproven theory (conspiracy, et al) - go for it. Just don't do it on my time. It's like some of the people who want to rant at me about the ills of the VA during an appointment with me to help garner some VA benefits for themselves. I usually stop their ranting and raving and tell them if their going to do nothing but bitch about the VA then I no longer have any time for them. I also tell them there's 40 veterans out there waiting in line patiently to see me to try and get some of those benefits he/she is bitching about - and those 40 waiting are more than wiling to take the chair they are wasting my time in - early.
Most of what I saw on FB was useless bullshite.....I got not time for that.
Don't get me wrong - you wanna go out and spout out some unproven theory (conspiracy, et al) - go for it. Just don't do it on my time. It's like some of the people who want to rant at me about the ills of the VA during an appointment with me to help garner some VA benefits for themselves. I usually stop their ranting and raving and tell them if their going to do nothing but bitch about the VA then I no longer have any time for them. I also tell them there's 40 veterans out there waiting in line patiently to see me to try and get some of those benefits he/she is bitching about - and those 40 waiting are more than wiling to take the chair they are wasting my time in - early.
Most of what I saw on FB was useless bullshite.....I got not time for that.
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Cpl Brett Wagner
PO1 George Medley I'm not familiar with "bullshite" is that a British term? I think I have heard my son in law use it. Most people born and raised in the US use bullshit. Just wondering.
As far as free speech and people using it goes. I think that is what you did and when you tell people they are going to have to leave and forfeit their hard earned benefits at the VA and you face not consequences right? So as long as one is sitting in the right chair one can say whatever they like. IOWs if they have the upper hand the power over someone else.
BTW nothing above is written in an angry way.
As far as free speech and people using it goes. I think that is what you did and when you tell people they are going to have to leave and forfeit their hard earned benefits at the VA and you face not consequences right? So as long as one is sitting in the right chair one can say whatever they like. IOWs if they have the upper hand the power over someone else.
BTW nothing above is written in an angry way.
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PO1 (Join to see)
nah...bullshite is how I get by my autocorrect....
I disagree that one can say anything without consequence. IMO anyone that believes they can just spout off anything anytime is full of it....the only thing that is protected is (non-active duty personnel) ability to say what we want about the government. The government cannot jail us or hang us unless we make a direct threat... You, nor anyone else, are NOT protected in any fashion from pushback or even being sued for things you say about other common, everyday people. You simply are not legally protected under those circumstances.
As for me telling someone that is spouting off bullshite during an interview with me so they can apply for benefits - especially if their commentary has absolutely nothing to do with the conversation at hand - then they are wasting MY time that can be more effectively used to help another veteran who is willing to focus on the situation at hand (getting / applying for benefits) rather than ranting.
By the way - it's not power - it's managing my time. What I currently do, for the veterans, is on my own time, at MY expense. I receive absolutely no compensation in any shape, fashion or form from anyone for what I do. So, if you consider me telling someone who is wasting my time that I am volunteering at my own personal expense that I am in power....tough shite.
I disagree that one can say anything without consequence. IMO anyone that believes they can just spout off anything anytime is full of it....the only thing that is protected is (non-active duty personnel) ability to say what we want about the government. The government cannot jail us or hang us unless we make a direct threat... You, nor anyone else, are NOT protected in any fashion from pushback or even being sued for things you say about other common, everyday people. You simply are not legally protected under those circumstances.
As for me telling someone that is spouting off bullshite during an interview with me so they can apply for benefits - especially if their commentary has absolutely nothing to do with the conversation at hand - then they are wasting MY time that can be more effectively used to help another veteran who is willing to focus on the situation at hand (getting / applying for benefits) rather than ranting.
By the way - it's not power - it's managing my time. What I currently do, for the veterans, is on my own time, at MY expense. I receive absolutely no compensation in any shape, fashion or form from anyone for what I do. So, if you consider me telling someone who is wasting my time that I am volunteering at my own personal expense that I am in power....tough shite.
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And to think that I've learned most of what I know from vets. Horrifying. I find it amusing that it takes the military 30 years to update some regs. I guess we're all mostly irrelevant.
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It has always been a bit of both to me. I can discuss topics of military development and improvement, current events, discussions of the developments within multiple theaters, etc. Then we get the threads that are all about PT belts and that just makes me get a warm and fuzzy inside. I am stuck with a civilian job I do not like (for a few more months at least) and RP has always given me that connection to the military lifestyle I love on a more regular basis.
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OK everyone I am sorry for all the commotion. I really wish I had saved the exact words and post because the person has conveniently removed the posts that tore me up. I will say he did not use the exact word irrelevant but was clear about what RP is and is not. He was clear that the military I served in was nothing like that of today and IOWs my experience would not be relevant in today's military. My bigger issue was how he spoke to another member, his saying this is not facebook or linkin if that is what you want leave. I asked him if he has told other members to leave and he said yes.
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Cpl Brett Wagner
PO2 Jonathan Scharff I so wish there was an undo button in all areas of my life... NP I think we are connected now. I noticed you were/are an ET. Did you see that in my profile? It is a long story I will have to share someday.
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PO2 Jonathan Scharff
Cpl Brett Wagner Yes I figured out a way...lol Just went out to an email and was able to connect through that. May not have been the easiest way, but it got the job done. Yes I did notice the electronics background. Would love to hear the story.
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I like the idea of a Facebook-like portion of RallyPoint, sort of an open forum where people could post random (military related) items. RallyPoint's Q&A format is somewhat limiting, probably for a reason.
Bottom line is that the focus of RallyPoint should be (IMHO) military stuff, regardless of the format.
Bottom line is that the focus of RallyPoint should be (IMHO) military stuff, regardless of the format.
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Cpl Brett Wagner
CW5 Scott Montgomery that is what I would like to see. SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas with all due respect on facebook they do not have vetted groups or users. I also think service members should not have to give up their 9th, 10th, 14th and other Amendment rights on RP or any media but especially one associated with the men and women who have fought to preserve those rights.
Just MHO and opinions are like belly buttons we all have one. I think... can you be born without one? I never stopped long enough to think about that, oh no ADD kicking in.
Just MHO and opinions are like belly buttons we all have one. I think... can you be born without one? I never stopped long enough to think about that, oh no ADD kicking in.
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About RallyPoint - The Professional Military Network
RallyPoint is a professional military network that was founded to help make military life better. RallyPoint connects service members and veterans, giving them the best tools possible to succeed both while in the military, and beyond.
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IF that is the intent, I expect that RP will be starting a decline soon.
I doubt that is the intent. Those things are certainly a facet of the discussions on RP, but far from what I see the intent as. I think the analogy of LinkedIn is better. The overall focus may well be professional discussions (and I have derived a lot of value from same!!), but there also needs to be room to discuss those other topics that are of interest to the community.
Of course, at the end of the day, the intent is to have a high-quality community of participants (the product) that third parties can advertise to.... (Same as Fb, or any other free social media site)
I doubt that is the intent. Those things are certainly a facet of the discussions on RP, but far from what I see the intent as. I think the analogy of LinkedIn is better. The overall focus may well be professional discussions (and I have derived a lot of value from same!!), but there also needs to be room to discuss those other topics that are of interest to the community.
Of course, at the end of the day, the intent is to have a high-quality community of participants (the product) that third parties can advertise to.... (Same as Fb, or any other free social media site)
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