Do you encourage your soldiers to use RallyPoint?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 09:02:35 -0500

This question is directed to all NCOs and officers of all branches, not just Army. Have you encouraged your subordinates to join RP? I tend to see an exponential amount of rank on here but seldom do I see as many lower enlisted asking questions or responding to them in kind. I think this is a great tool and it has not only helped me professionally, but it also provides some entertainment for me at the end of the day, or when I'm in geology! I would like to see more lower enlisted on RP because I believe RP is a great tool to gain a great deal of knowledge and insight from those more experienced than us. Let me know!

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2014 9:09 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 09:09:55 -0500

I have been pushing RP in my unit. I agree, there is a lot of knowledge in this forum to be harvested.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2014 5:40 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 17:40:50 -0500

I recommend rallypoint to my Soldiers and NCOs but I tell them to use discretion in what they post, about their jobs and who they are. This is not a secure site and like any website, it can be cyber attacked. Social media is one of the easiest collection tools when it comes to identifying who is who in a foreign military organization. <div><br></div><div>If I was a Russian HUMINT operator, this would be the perfect tool for me to use to identify potential sources.</div>

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2014 6:19 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 18:19:13 -0500

I don't have anyone under the paygrade of E-5 that I work with. I send an invite to every of my NCO students after they graduate.

Aside of pushing it out, I am worried about an RP in which we force people to create accounts via monthly counselings or forceful suggestions. I appreciate all quality junior enlisted input but I dislike the idea of people who don't want to be here being forced to contribute. In short: If someone is going to embarrass me by virtue of association, I will not recommend RP to them until I have fixed them or at all.

Response by 1SG Johnny Carter made Feb 12 at 2014 6:33 PM

1SG Johnny Carter — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 18:33:25 -0500

I am a HUGE SUPPORTER of Rallypoint and preach it to my Soldiers and push it on FB to my vets. This is a valuable place with resources beyond belief. When I have a problem I look on hear and 9 times of of 10 it's been talked about with many avenues of approach. Also for assignments and career progression man this is it!!! Love Rallypoint!!!!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2014 10:46 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 22:46:39 -0400

I don't think it is a matter of not inviting "junior enlisted" (I dislike the term Lower Enlisted) but more a matter of them wanting to join. Since RP is a professional forum where service members share ideas that mostly apply to career development, I don't think many service members in the ranks of E-1 thru E-4 are interested in professional development. Since the age range is 17-24 I think there focus is Facebook and Xbox/PS. Not that I blame them, I know when I was a young Soldier I had little to no interest in professional development. Now I know that the question is going be asked, "There are LTs on this site and they are 22-24?". But as we all know, earning a commission and completing a college degree takes a degree of maturity. That being said, most LTs are taught to "manage their own careers" and to seek advise.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 12 at 2014 12:52 AM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 12 Apr 2014 00:52:44 -0400

I recently just joined RP and I'm liking the environment thus far. It would be great if more of the uniformed service decided to join in. One force, one fight~ I discovered the place by accident, so I think more coverage is necessary for military personal, especially for ranks E1 to E-4.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Jun 23 at 2014 1:31 PM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 13:31:57 -0400

Yes, I encourage it the same as MilSuite, but frankly, folks seem to attached to their Facebook and LinkedIn. It is hard to get folks to add another place to grow into their already supposedly busy daily lives!

Response by SFC James Barnes made Oct 14 at 2014 10:12 AM

SFC James Barnes — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 10:12:33 -0400

I have been pushing this to all the soldiers in my company and squadron. The resources I feel are a benefit to my troopers