Respect and Professionalism on RallyPoint!

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 00:36:58 -0500

After reading through a few discussion topics here on Rally Point, I just want to ensure that all Soldiers understand to maintain professionalism and respect when addressing any senior ranking personnel on this website. This is a great site to discuss many topics, just be sure to not disrespect anyone regardless of what they may post. Simple rule, if you wouldn't say it to the persons face while in uniform don't type it on here.  Remember, disrespect on social media is punishable under UCMJ

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Dec 23 at 2013 1:13 AM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 01:13:36 -0500

I'm a civilian these days guys, call me Joe, please...<br>Other than that, the 1SG has it right. Wouldn't do to get chaptered for failing to be respectful when calling a senior's position bogus.<br>

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Dec 23 at 2013 2:01 AM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 02:01:18 -0500

There is a certain therapy associated with being able to vent in a forum among those who can sympathize/empathize with your situation. Something a lot of veteran's really don't have access to once they've separated. As long as there are no direct attacks or naming of names. <br>I've taken a few jabs at prior leadership in some of mine, never naming names or units, but I've taken the opportunity to air some issues. It is somewhat cathartic, however, good order and discipline should not be sacrificed or endangered by personal and/or unfounded attacks in the forums.<br>Use of prior "learning opportunities" experienced throughout a career should be used for the growth of the services, not settling a grievance.<br>

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2013 2:49 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 02:49:00 -0500

<p>Better yet,  never say anything regardless of rank that you wouldn't say to another person's face.   Always ask yourself would your behavior be a good role model for your own children.   I have respect for senior NCOs, and officers and even  for those with a higher rank.    For those active duty members the bar is even higher,  as it should be.</p>

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2013 3:01 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 03:01:10 -0500

I had to look at what chaptered meant. lol

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Dec 23 at 2013 3:14 AM

1SG Steven Stankovich — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 03:14:36 -0500

Well put 1SG.  This is site is definitely a tool that if used properly, serves as a platform for knowledge sharing, best practices, mentorship, personal and professional growth, etc.  Keeping in mind that the people behind these posts and photos are current and former servicemembers is very important.  It is always good practice to maintain your professional bearing at all times and in all venues.

Response by CH (CPT) Heather Davis made Dec 23 at 2013 3:08 PM

CH (CPT) Heather Davis — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 15:08:04 -0500

1SG Essig:

I greatly appreciate your leadership and insight in addressing the protocol in social media. Rally Point is an excellent forum to see different point of views. I would interject the importance of allowing our junior enlisted and officers the grace in being able to share their point of views. I understand it is a developmental factor, and I have been guilty in my own post for being emotional on certain topics.

Response by CH (CPT) Heather Davis made Jan 4 at 2014 3:15 AM

CH (CPT) Heather Davis — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 03:15:50 -0500

1SG Essig:

I concur, and if you follow the "Too Pretty" post you will see that we have a mixed audience, and unfortunately many may confuse this with a blogging site.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Jan 4 at 2014 9:10 AM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 09:10:41 -0500

Yes, 100% concur.  Thank you for posting this, 1SG.  Here at RallyPoint, we're already working on ways to help ensure this is maintained.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2014 12:01 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 12:01:56 -0500

Concur on all fronts. I also challenge the Senior leaders, especially NCOs to not come off condescending. I tapered off my usage because I got frustrated with some of my peers and the generic "You do it because its your job" replies. We all get that. If someone poses a question, leave out the sarcasm and give them an answer. This is a great platform to dish out knowledge to those who seek it. <div><br></div><div>Rallypoint is starting to become very "drama" intensive. </div>

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2014 1:13 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 13:13:57 -0500

I agree 1SG but I have to say, I have several hundred thousand posts across a multitude of forums, military and otherwise, and this is the most professional and courteous of them all by far. I must be missing some of these threads.

Response by SFC John Brooks made Jan 6 at 2014 11:22 AM

SFC John Brooks — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 11:22:10 -0500

1SG Essig, you've definitely hit on a root problem that the military community is running into on all fronts- what IS social media to us and what actions need to be taken to ensure service members act appropriately.

The short answer is that even social media sites are public forums and are covered by the appropriate articles in UCMJ regarding public conduct.

The longer answer is that we as NCOs need to address these issues with our Soldiers and ensure that they understand the implications of what they say coming back to haunt them. I've never personally seen this discussed besides a passing comment during a safety brief here and there, but it is definitely a topic that needs to make its way into NCO professional development to be filtered down to our junior enlisted.

Response by LCpl Mark Lefler made Jan 6 at 2014 11:37 AM

LCpl Mark Lefler — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 11:37:34 -0500

As a hole regardless of rank or in service or out we should be at least polite to each other on a basic human level, its just being adults and has little to nothing to do with rank. This is of course a discussion forum so disagreeing with someone of a senior rank shouldn't be seen as disrespectful.(not that it was). Being this is a place where everyone opinion is equal. I haven't noticed near the level of disrespect here that I see on FB. I think though mentioning the UCMJ is maybe taking it further then it needs to go.

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Oct 29 at 2014 2:46 AM

SGT Michael Glenn — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 02:46:04 -0400

Keep in mind too Jack Essig, soldiers come here to learn and gain info,if this turns out to be just another site where chain of commands pulls rank on people what good will this site be for your soldiers???This is an open forum, not an official military site and you also have vets like me that do not have to adhere to the military way of thinking, I have seen too many chains that were scared of open door policy because they were weak and feared to be called out for being such, so they pulled rank and lost all respect, I hope this isnt the case here???

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2014 11:38 AM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 11:38:09 -0400

Hear hear, Top! Well said.

Response by 1LT Nick Kidwell made Nov 1 at 2014 3:40 AM

1LT Nick Kidwell — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 03:40:18 -0400

I would also point out that respect runs both ways. Just because one person's profile says SPC and another says COL does not give EITHER of them the right to be dismissive or disrespectful.

Share ideas and discuss, and if you disagree, then do so respectfully. There is nothing to be gained by bashing someone over the head with your rank/experience/position.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2016 12:59 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 12:59:10 -0500

Doesn't seem to be the case. Members don't really care what they do or say here from my experience and treat this like Facebook. I have lost my cool only with retired members because of the asinine remarks. And who is enforcing any of this? Am I supposed call a person's unit and tell their command that I was disrespected? Sounds pretty lame.

Response by SGT Joseph W. made Oct 12 at 2022 10:57 AM

SGT Joseph W. — Wed, 12 Oct 2022 10:57:21 -0400

I always say “in all respect” before I agree to disagree! But when a service member (former or present) doesn’t give it to another (insulting/denigrating) one, I follow “to get respect, show respect!”