RallyPoint: the new bashing forum?

2014-11-10T05:51:26-05:00

I joined rally point due to a few good inquiries someone posted on FACEBOOK. Just like every forum, seems people like to air out dirty laundry. Why do people bash the corps. I see SSG saying that Csm are here to gripe about grass. Not one, but a few!!!. I see juniors complaining about how NCOs get slapped on the wrist for infractions. How we don't deserve benefits. How we should imprison a career soldier for a stupid infraction. How csm aren't needed. What ever happened to loyalty?!

Why are you people so busy trying to eat your own. I joined rally point to get some good advice/mentorship from the people in here. I don't get mentored by only those higher in grade than I, but by all. I listen to problems, form an opinion and relay my response. I try not to be judgemental and cast stones.

What are you here for. If all it is to do is to complain how bad crap is, well, I think I made a mistake by joining.

Don't get me wrong, I love the comedic responses, but those are followed with an lol so we know you're kidding.

IMPROVE YOUR FOXHOLE. quit tearing down the walls that it took our predecessors so long to build. Quit taking us backwards. Heated discussions are grand and I get to see all points of view. But airing laundry, and bashing the corps, well, that's just garbage.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 10 at 2014 6:21 AM

2014-11-10T06:21:15-05:00

Unfortunately there will always be the few folks will can't resist any open opportunity to stir the pot and create controversy. With that in mind, I choose to respond to postings that do not add fuel to that fire. I answered one controversial post and just got sucked in to the negativity. So I now choose more wisely. Also, there are some folks who cannot respect the thoughts of others who may disagree with them. Respect folks for their differences of opinions and for the person they are.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 10 at 2014 6:48 AM

2014-11-10T06:48:15-05:00

Amen to what Col Private RallyPoint Member said. I like your post as well, MSG Private RallyPoint Member. Especially the part about improving your foxhole. What great advice!

Last night I stumbled into a discussion about religion, and wow! People got sucked into (or maybe they went in with their eyes open?) personal attacks, down voting, vindictiveness. I left there quickly, because I don't see much good coming from that.

I agree with you that we can all learn from each other - I have already learned a lot on RallyPoint.

Response by CPT Richard Riley made Nov 10 at 2014 7:01 AM

2014-11-10T07:01:21-05:00

In some discussions you are going to find water cooler conversations. Sniping, complaining, carousing become part of the back and forth exchanges. I think you find the majority here do find ways to help others, answer questions, and give information that is useful. Occasionally (& depending on the day maybe more often) you'll run into a discussion that takes off and has it's own life full of emotional, full of emotional comments and knee jerk reactions.

I can choose to see that and move on to the next conversation or I can choose to engage but it is my choice to make. I accept the fact that everyone is entitled to have a bad day - let her rip tirade over something that really got under their skin - release all that pressure then return to normal for the most part.

Many here have stepped away for a period of time for a variety of reasons. I tend to believe that RallyPoint proves useful and knowledge driven more often than not.

Response by COL Randall C. made Nov 10 at 2014 8:16 AM

2014-11-10T08:16:26-05:00

MSG Private RallyPoint Member, as with all things, you're going to get the good, the bad, and the ugly. No matter what forum is used for communications, you are always going to have that percentage of participants that aren't acting in a professional manner (see a recent discussion thread by LTC Private RallyPoint Member on the decline of professionalism in the military (https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/have-we-lost-our-professionalism-in-the-army-military).

There is a LOT of great information on RallyPoint, but just as when you're traveling in unfamiliar territory, you have to keep know where to step and avoid being mired down (we've all been sucked into 'THAT' conversation at one time or another).

One of the best categories that RP started was the "Command Post" topic area. A lot more of the professional discussions are starting to appear here (perfect example is GEN (ret) Casey's recent post about 6 Keys to a Successful Transition (https://www.rallypoint.com/command-post/general-casey-6-keys-to-a-successful-transition)

Alternatively, there are many that really enjoy the free flow discussions (https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/i-really-love-the-discussion-forum-on-rallypoint) and the informal interaction by all.

Response by MAJ Dallas D. made Nov 10 at 2014 8:17 AM

2014-11-10T08:17:51-05:00

MSG Private RallyPoint Member Great post. My main reason for joining and continuing to be a part of Rally Point is to connect with other veterans and hopefully pass something I learned in my 25 years in the Army along to those currently in uniform.

Like CW5 Private RallyPoint Member I will avoid discussions that I see no positive results coming out of. I have been sucked into a couple but have decided no more.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 10 at 2014 9:36 AM

2014-11-10T09:36:18-05:00

Having a national forum broadens the audience in the micro/macro communities. I see a lot of the same arguments/gripes/whines I saw while on active duty. Everybody's unit is different, some duty stations suck, some leaders are awful and vice-versa.

While the E-5 and below members may have liked my first fleet CO, I know the O1-O3 crowd were treated like boot privates. I know that once you take on leadership roles, you will stop hearing the scuttlebutt below, because shit rolls down hill. A lot depends on the local climate with regards to duty assignments.

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Nov 10 at 2014 1:48 PM

2014-11-10T13:48:15-05:00

Big fan of your "improve your foxhole" Battle!!! We are in the business of developing the Leaders of tomorrow. We do that in both actions and words. Actions are of more credence to me because if someone sees you doing the right thing, regardless of the situation, it adds to your character. Much in the same way, written words on here are a form of action and once out there, they last a very long time and may not embody the intent that one had when they hit the "respond" key. Sometimes they do, but sometimes they do not. Actions and words. Be mindful of both and remember that Soldiers are always watching, always reading the forums. Do the right thing.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 10 at 2014 4:57 PM

2014-11-10T16:57:27-05:00

I recall a similar problem/discussion on the AKO discussion forums. There was a topic thread devoted entirely to (I believe it was called) "Gripes and Complaints. It was, by and large, the largest, most posted-to topic.

I don't think we can change human nature, but we can change how it is directed on social media. I propose that the RP gods create a separate forum for those that need to air laundry, bitch and gripe. (call it gripe discussions?) The moderators can help shuffle posts there as necessary and the main "All/military discussions" can be used for what seems to be the intended purpose.

Also, not that military humor is bad, maybe a "military humor discussions" thread would be warranted as well.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 10 at 2014 5:26 PM

2014-11-10T17:26:44-05:00

I think people generally have questions that concern them but you shouldn't quit the site. I've only been on here a few days and there are a lot of posts on here that interest me and some people ask for advice on legitimate problems and question. Every social site is going to have people complaining, but I think the good outweighs the bad.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 11 at 2014 12:01 PM

2014-11-11T12:01:39-05:00

MSG Danny Ibarra, I too am new to Rallypoint, and I agree there are some unnecessary lack of professionalism in some threads. But, these are changing times. I view this as one more opportunity to mentor young officers and enlisted. They are of the he social media generation. I'm also going back to school at the moment working on a Master's. Last night on one thread I weighed in with my two cents on a very junior Airman's question. I hope she takes the advice to heart. Without Rallypoint, I'd have continued working on a paper, and she might never have asked the question. As senior leaders, we set the standard, and I intend for Rallypoint to become that positive mentoring experience.

Response by SPC James Mcneil made Nov 11 at 2014 2:05 PM

2014-11-11T14:05:49-05:00

I've seen some of the threads you're referencing. Yes, there is some bashing, but there's also a lot of questions. And sometimes we have to be able to accept the hard questions without thinking we're being bashed.
JMHO.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 11 at 2014 3:38 PM

2014-11-11T15:38:26-05:00

MSG Private RallyPoint Member You bring up some very good points. Thank you for reminding us all.

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Nov 11 at 2014 4:50 PM

2014-11-11T16:50:40-05:00

I am guilty of going off on a few on this forum simply because of the way they chose to portray themselves, some think that JUST because they are still active duty or had a higher rank that their poo doesnt stink ( probably stinks worse than most others) I will show respect where respect is due and treat people like they treat me. I know we all come from different walks of life and served at different times and saw different milestones in the Military, what I cannot and will not stomach is someone coming on here and telling others they should shame themselves because their ideas do not coincide with that persons Ideas or beliefs.I find it very unprofessional to use rank be it retired,reserve or active duty on such a forum to sway others to become ducks in a row and follow a certain set of views or opinions. Will I do it again??? probably yes, am I choosing what I say on here better?? yes I am. will we always have arrogant people on here, yes we will.It is what it is.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2014 10:29 PM

2014-12-10T22:29:14-05:00

What happens when you get a bunch of people from a service together? They bash people/things. The things that are said here aren't too different than what I've heard being said in any unit.

The thing I like about this forum is that, more or less, everyone is on the level. Respect for rank/position is given, but you can engage with a 1SG or CSM or LTC or COL and you're not going to have your PSG or Squad Leader come grab you by the collar and say "WTF are you talking to them for? You're only a <insert rank>! You're not supposed to talk to them!"

It provides an opportunity for the little guys to see that the big guys do have emotions and opinions like, or unlike, their own and to engage those individuals that they wouldn't normally have the opportunity to engage in the real world in a conversation about the given topic.

I spend a lot of time just reading and saying "Wow! I wish that guy was my SCO/CO/CSM!" or "Wow! I'm glad he's not!"...... and then the Marines/Navy/Air Force show up and ruin the conversation..

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Dec 15 at 2014 11:24 PM

2014-12-15T23:24:17-05:00

MSG Private RallyPoint Member, perhaps pick your discussion threads? Or if you find yourself in one where you think there's bashing going on, bail out. For me, I'm retired, so I've found that where I can't make a legitimate contribution I just back out and move on to another thread.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2014 11:54 AM

2014-12-16T11:54:57-05:00

I put in my retirement papers in 2009, and they were approved in 2011, while I was contracting in Afghanistan. There, I saw examples of people who clearly left the service too early.

One retired Marine CSM was constantly criticizing things that were happening in Kandahar, a mostly Army base. Some of this can be attributed to inter-service rivalry, but some of what he was unhappy about were things the Marines were doing.

I finally asked him, "Why did you get out? If there are so many things that need fixing, why didn't you fix them? Did you abandon your duty and leave it to someone else?" That shut him down, and I didn't see much more of him.

I've seen retired 1SGs who are still trying to hold a formation, and retired COLs looking for their driver, aide, and boot polisher. If that's what you want, you should have stayed in.

I'm here because I like talking to military people. I am willing to share my experience, but I don't have a dog in the fight. I appreciate the respect I get from my rank and experience, but that's not what I am here for. If you don't notice them, I am not offended.

I will remind people that there are RULES and REGULATIONS that we have to follow. Just because your personal desire/deviation/peccadillo isn't allowed doesn't make it the business of Rally Point to resolve, or campaign on your behalf. Nothing posted here is a secret, and if you want to shoot your career in the foot by arguing that card-carrying communists should be allowed in the military to get training, that's on you. (No, there's no one saying THAT, but if you haven't noticed similar threads, you haven't been paying attention.) If you want my advice, I'd say tone it down, make Admiral or General, and then start your campaign back up. If you are focused on a single issue that is opposed to current practice, while you might get a nice self-righteous feeling, you might also have a very short and unsuccessful career.

Of course, it's your life. Just don't blame me if the results aren't what you hoped for.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2014 5:26 PM

2014-12-16T17:26:26-05:00

MSG Private RallyPoint Member I recently posted a question, it was stereotypical jabs at other services...it was all in fun. And it was fun, no one got butt-hurt. I am not assuming this post was about mine. I personally have not had the same experience as you have. Sorry you run across so many SM that are complaining. We do that well amongst ourselves though, and we would never do that with our civilian counterparts...that may be part of the camaraderie that I enjoy about RP.

Thanks for calling all of those out though that do bash their brothers and sisters. I am interested in how you feel about the SPC that leaked all the top secret intel, Sgt Akbar, and the MAJ in the Ft. Hood Shooting...are we to remain loyal to what we perceive at traitors to the very core? What about Bowe Bergdahl? The list can go on and on...we have traitors in our mist. I do not think we should dwell on the negative, and your point is well spoken. I will do my part.

Part of serving in uniform is complaining. Complaining about the Chow, standing in formation too long, standing in a change of command when it is clearly too hot, working too long, change 999 in the training schedule...the two go hand in hand. If we can't complain on RP, where can we?

With that said, I will close with: Make it a great day. Set high goals. Set your expectations high. Compliment and recognize those that deserve it.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Dec 16 at 2014 5:39 PM

2014-12-16T17:39:17-05:00

I must be reading the worng (right?) threads as I have not witnessed in my short time here what you speak of.

There will always be trolls on an internet forum, those that only look to agitate, simply to garner a reaction, to cause strife..Likely they have no beliefs or strong feelings on the topic itself, only look to get a rise.

Response by SFC(P) Tobias M. made Dec 18 at 2014 11:10 AM

2014-12-18T11:10:14-05:00

MSG Danny Ibarra

I will agree with you on this 100%. I think people are taking this to the wrong level. I do feel that people need to be able to "BITCH" about what is going on in their military career as long as it is a vent not a "This unit/branch is messed up" session. We need to ensure that we are talking to people and making them see the why things should be. We need to show people that it is ok to vent. I tell each and every one of my troops that if they need to just vent that is fine. I am here to lend an ear. If they have a problem come to me with a way to fix it.

Response by SSG Tim Everett made Dec 18 at 2014 6:09 PM

2014-12-18T18:09:24-05:00

Downvoted for being a Master Sergeant.

...

...lol.

Response by SA Harold Hansmann made Dec 19 at 2014 11:37 AM

2014-12-19T11:37:43-05:00

My apologies msg. If something I have said has sounded like bashing. I personally try to see both sides, can't always see both sides, and try to respond non-derogatory. As of yet, I have never gave a down vote, haven't seen a comment that was ignorant enough for a down vote, yet.
I have learned a lot of information from several individuals on a variety of subjects.
Your observations are valid, and have merit.

Response by SSG Ike Phelan made Dec 19 at 2014 11:47 AM

2014-12-19T11:47:26-05:00

I am glad you posted this and I hope people read it and get what you are trying to say. I joined rally point to hear what people have to say about the current issues we are facing in our millitary. I also like to see what our millitary members think about these issues. I see this web site as way to discuss the issues in a calm educated way. I do not care to read the comments posted where people just add to the problem. I once had a leader who told me it is real easy to point out the problem and not come up with a solution and I took that to hart from that day forward I made it a point to always have a solution to the problem I was dealing with and not just complain about it. I hope that there are more people on this web site that see it the same way. I avoid reading rants and I read the comments that have a valid point to make I stay open minded and read the well written comments and if someone poses a valid question I will try to answer it to the best of my ability. I think that someone like you could do a lot of good for this web site with your years of service and experience you could really help a lot of those misguided individuals out there. I hope that the lower enlisted soldiers are using it to gain some knowledge and guidance and I hope the members with a little more weight on there chest are looking for new and better ways to deal with their issues of the day. Anything outside of that I steer clear of. Oh and the retirees. I would hope they are just trying to stay current and maybe offer up some good old school stories. I hope this web site is not ruined by a couple of bad apples I would love to see more people like you on here and I hope this site is used for education and mentorship and a good conversation every once in awhile about some hot button issue. I do not want to see bashing of anyone or just negative comments with no solution to the issue. I will end this and say I hope you stay on this site and you find lower enlisted people who need your help those are the question I think you would shine at answering and ignore the rest. My old 1st SGT is on here and I read his comments all the time along with what he answers becuase he only pays attention to the good ones try looking at what he is looking at and see if that changes your mind his name is MSG Stankovich I hope you look him up and follow what he is following I truely believe it will change your opinion of this site.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2015 9:47 PM

2015-01-15T21:47:33-05:00

Amen MSG Private RallyPoint Member! I joined RP to connect with fellow vets and get to know people. As an admin I feel like I spend more time breaking up spats than actually enjoying the exchanges. I can't get over the disrespect I've seen on here amongst fellow service members. When I was in, it did not matter your opinions, you always respect each other and your senior ranking folks. I've seen officers talking horribly to fellow offficers as well as enlisted, as well as enlisted being disrespectful to officers. In this day and age in my opinion, there is no excuse for such disrespect. We are all adults and should be able to have spirited discussions without insults and slurs. I like what you said about improving your foxhole. You nailed it.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 5 at 2015 7:28 PM

2015-04-05T19:28:14-04:00

MSG Private RallyPoint Member Whoa. We should never take a dump in our foxhole.

Response by MSG David Chappell made Apr 5 at 2015 7:34 PM

2015-04-05T19:34:21-04:00

This forum should be for open discussion and nothing should be taboo. We as military are restricted in many of our daily activities. This open forum should maintain a bit of professionalism but should not be limited from any topic.

Response by LCpl Mark Lefler made Apr 7 at 2015 1:26 PM

2015-04-07T13:26:11-04:00

There are some reasons to gripe, loyalty goes down the chain as well as up it. If people pretend bad things didn't happen, then nothing gets changed. I was discharged honorably for medical reasons, I was an average marine, not a great one, but some of the things that happened to me and things I saw happen to others really left me with a bitter feeling in some regards to military service. Of course i had good times, not denying that but some of the wtf's left me shaking my head. Though it is how people go about talking about this or that or sharing their opinion.

I've given up on posting anything anywhere but RP because other sites that I've posted on when one does not agree with the majority they get hammered and slandered. It happens a little on RP but not like other places.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made May 5 at 2015 4:10 PM

2015-05-05T16:10:28-04:00

Danny, you just did the same thing. But look at this way humans need to empty the cup before it can receive fresh coffee. Some of the folks here are like privates with one year of college that know everything and learn after they fall on their face. "Hang In There" quote Then Came Bronson.

Response by SFC Gary Comstock made May 6 at 2015 4:42 AM

2015-05-06T04:42:39-04:00

Well said.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made May 6 at 2015 1:10 PM

2015-05-06T13:10:24-04:00

I am here to see a different point of view on things, and to express my moderate to liberal views. I'm sure my views aren't the most popular, however I prefer to be in an area where not all agree with him. What do you learn from like minded people hanging around each other? Nothing.