Opening Rallypoint to U.S. Ally Soldiers? Pros/Cons.

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 10:20:51 -0500

Response by SFC Robert Trodahl made Jan 24 at 2014 10:27 AM

SFC Robert Trodahl — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 10:27:22 -0500

I think we should keep it in house. Alot of the discussions may not be understood to foreign nationals in the context we are talking about.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2014 10:30 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 10:30:51 -0500

¡No bueno! I have worked with almost all Latin American militaries and one Con would be they do not understand U.S military culture. Also they are not use to seeing NCOs leading and having a voice in their forces.

It might open their eyes, but it might cause friction because of different beliefs.

Note: I have work for 4 years with my fellow counterparts of South and Central America in WHINSEC and now the Inter American Defense College and they are a different breed.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jan 24 at 2014 10:36 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 10:36:51 -0500

So far the Army PR machine has done a good job of establishing our reputation as a disciplined, knowledgeable, educated NCO Corps.

Do we really want to ruin that by having them watch us argue over such earth shattering topics like fleece caps and nail polish?

Lets leave the mystery in place shall we?

Response by Lt Col Luis A. Rojas made Jan 24 at 2014 10:38 AM

Lt Col Luis A. Rojas — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 10:38:32 -0500

Very good question SSG Parra, I have to agree with SFC Trodahl and SSG Cedeno, they bring up very valid points. I too have worked with our Latin American partners and know that culture differences could hamper discussion threads on RP.

Response by SSG Laureano Pabon made Jan 25 at 2014 2:47 AM

SSG Laureano Pabon — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 02:47:55 -0500

SSG If RP did that I would not mind, however I would have a code of silence in affect.

I never served with any other Armed forces other then the USA and RP was created for US Military members and veterans by a SM himself. If ally soldiers were brought in then I guess we can bring every one on Face Book as well.

Some topics here in RP need to stay with in and need to be handled with us.

If we spoke about cats, they might think cows and that can produce a misunderstanding and confusion.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2014 1:55 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 13:55:39 -0500

SSG Parra,

No. I would leave if that happened since I'm a 35 series. In my case, it wouldn't be an OPSEC violation, but it would be telling foreign militaries who I am and what I do. Complete with a name, rank, assignment and picture.

Now, based on my experience, that is NOT something other militaries need to know...

Response by SGT James P. Davidson, MSM made Jan 26 at 2014 8:58 AM

SGT James P. Davidson, MSM — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 08:58:42 -0500

I would vote 'No', were this a democratic process. This isn't the United Nations or NATO.

I can see trouble brewing with that idea in three ways, the first of which agrees with the above comments of conversations that would be 'lost in translation', and the second including responses and conversations being held in foreign languages that enough of us would not understand, let alone be able to follow along, participate in or contribute to, and finally the OpSec issues with some of our 'special' soldiers.

Response by SSG William Patton made Jan 26 at 2014 11:16 AM

SSG William Patton — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 11:16:54 -0500

I think Rally Point should be kept with only US military members. Even though our allies are our so called friends, there are too many differences between the groups and that could result in many arguments as to why a particular country's military is better. I have served with other nationalities in the US Army and they were always boasting about why their homeland was better than the US. Our reply was if it is so great, why are you still here? I feel there would be more arguing and little else would get accomplished.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2014 5:38 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 17:38:47 -0500

I hate to pile on, but I think it's a bad idea. The definition of "foreign contacts" extends to anyone with whom you have regular contact - including only through social media. It is very clear on the new EQIP. Investigators get very nervous when you cannot answer basic questions about your foreign contacts like DoB, place of birth, current address, etc - especially if they work for their respective governments or have military affiliations or...the real red flag, if they work for foreign intelligence services.

Thanks to MIBOLC, I have foreign contacts that work for foreign intelligence services and was raked over the coals in my periodic re-investigation as to why I still talk to them. I certainly do not need to have more ways to "keep in touch."

Response by Maj Walter Kilar made Jan 26 at 2014 6:06 PM

Maj Walter Kilar — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 18:06:44 -0500

Pros: none. Cons: those of us with certain security clearances would leave the site immediately.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2014 6:10 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 18:10:12 -0500

Just think of it like the SIPRNET - there are somethings that are never ment for our 'allies' to see, read, or know about. Those that have that access will know what I am talking about. So my vote would be to keep RallyPoint a segregated community of only U.S. military individuals. We have enough issues to deal - we don't need to create new ones.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2014 6:34 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 18:34:10 -0500

There is a wealth of information on my profile: full name, rank, MOS, unit assignment with job position and a picture to go with it all, that would be gold for Foreign Military Intel. Lets keep this site as a good resource to connect with others and discuss issues that matter, not just FB with a different name.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2014 1:52 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 13:52:09 -0500

I say NO. This is not Facebook or Twitter. RallyPoint is for US servicemen and women to network within our specific chosen profession, and to teach, mentor, and learn from others.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2014 3:50 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 15:50:42 -0500

I have to concur with almost all responses. No. If this were to happen, I might not leave, but my profile would be heavily sanitized and my participation would decrease a lot.

Response by PFC Stephen Eric Serati made Jan 28 at 2014 7:23 PM

PFC Stephen Eric Serati — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 19:23:31 -0500

Pros,It would be helpful if our Soldiers learned to be Ambassadors Of Good Will,not just Warriors.Remember You are an Army of Immigrants.

Response by SFC Christopher Perry made May 12 at 2014 6:16 AM

SFC Christopher Perry — Mon, 12 May 2014 06:16:54 -0400

Unfortunately I would have to politely bow out. It would completely change the landscape in here. Most people would have to do some major editing of their profiles, the level of comfort in conversations would change, etc. They could possibly do a separate RP International or something. That way people would have the choice as to whether they wanted to participate in that one or not.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2014 6:28 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 May 2014 06:28:59 -0400

I understand that a foreign military may be able to get information but if it is that sensitive should it be shared to a social media site in the first place? Remember insider threat, its not always a foreign government or agency trying to gather information. Someone who has seperated from the military can still access this site and they may not have the purest intentions. Personally I have foreign family members and friends and that has never kept me from attaining or maintaining a clearance. Im not saying that I am for or against allowing NATO and partner nations military members access to the site. I just believe that we have all been through enough training that either we wouldn't leak sensitive information, which we shouldn't do with U.S. services members, or just opt to not conversate with them.