What is RallyPoint really?

2015-07-06T01:10:51-04:00

Thinking about this, I know RP is billed as pro developement for service members and vets etc... but a lot of what we talk about has nothing to do with personal development, there are many things that are but also many things that are not. It kind of feels like FB for military people minus the "I had a grilled cheese for lunch.".

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jul 6 at 2015 1:15 AM

2015-07-06T01:15:25-04:00

RP is a military community - something that I had missed a great deal since getting out over four decades ago. I'm grateful that it is here.

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Jul 6 at 2015 1:27 AM

2015-07-06T01:27:41-04:00

Rallybook is Facebook for the Military. Can be completely irritating but also very enjoyable to stay connected.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jul 6 at 2015 1:46 AM

2015-07-06T01:46:38-04:00

FB for veterans is a good analogy... LCpl Mark Lefler

Response by MAJ Bryan Zeski made Jul 6 at 2015 2:57 AM

2015-07-06T02:57:55-04:00

I had a six piece breaded shrimp combo with fries and deep fried pickles with a Blackberry shake for lunch.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Jul 6 at 2015 5:20 AM

2015-07-06T05:20:01-04:00

It is about expectation management - I expected I'd see/participate in a strictly military focused/themed series of discussions. It seemed really focused that was when I originally joined but seems as though it morphed into movie reviews/favorite meme/favorite cartoon when you were growing up/what ever happened to cinnamon mint dental floss....along with a copy and post of the latest news.
You have to come in with a little expectation management that there will be a mix of military conversations as well as a splattering of randomness.

Response by CPT Richard Riley made Jul 6 at 2015 6:59 AM

2015-07-06T06:59:58-04:00

RallyPoint is what you make of it. It is your choice to scan threads and respond, learn and listen, connect and direct, answer and assist, or for that matter just lurk if that is your pension. RallyPoint has a mix of all kinds of interaction types. In a sense, it is your military pallet to create what you need to be immersed and stay connected with something you are, or once were a part of. It really isn't complicated, just tricky .....

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Jul 6 at 2015 7:40 AM

2015-07-06T07:40:00-04:00

RallyPoint is what WE make it. We as the RallyPoint community have the chance to really shape what can be a great tool. I'm not saying that every discussion has to be some sort of professional "Boots and Bullets" type of discussion, we do have a lot of fun with some of the other "General Discussion" threads but I would agree that we do see a lot of posts that either do not reflect the professional development atmosphere we are trying to maintain as well as Facebook-ish threads.

There is a small group within the community known as User Admins. We try our best to help RallyPoint maintain the standards set forth and try to make this a meaningful experience for all users. If you have any problems or questions you can reach out to one of us, we have stars next to our profile picture or send your feedback directly to the RallyPoint staff who is always hungry to learn about ways they can improve things here.

Response by SPC Clifton Peacock made Jul 6 at 2015 8:00 AM

2015-07-06T08:00:38-04:00

I don't necessarily see the need for "strictly military" talk on RP. My overall impression is, like others have said, FB for prior and current service military. It is a place to support fellow service members and to discuss anything that comes to mind, without the civilian influence of others who, for the most part, just don't get it.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2015 8:50 AM

2015-07-06T08:50:02-04:00

It is good thar RP is for personal development in our service. But it doesn't hurt to have an outlet to vent, beyond the BS associated with Facebook. Especially from the anti-military civilians!

Just my opinion.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jul 6 at 2015 10:20 AM

2015-07-06T10:20:46-04:00

LCpl Mark Lefler That is great question. I see it as a great website for military members of all the services to post and start discussions about general interest items, military interests, leadership, etc. It is a great forum for learning and expressing professional opinions that are related to post-deployment, transitioning out of the service, employment opportunities, current events affecting the military, and just plain learning about knew things. I've learned a lot about the other service branches and what is important to them, and yes there are a lot of news stories about things happening around the country that frankly I don't have the time to look up each morning, but I can find them here. I think a few RP Members stated that the application is what you make it. Its free to join and there are a lot of members that just signed up and they don't participate, so it is really up to the individual and what they want to make it. I have connected with RP Members now that I’m meeting up in Sturgis during the 75th Anniversary and I have spoken to several RP members that have asked for my help and guidance. A few have just connected with me on LinkedIn for business purposes. I have a call this week with an RP member that wants to throw some ideas at me. If I can help or provide some form of guidance or assistance to other RP Members, then for me it’s a worthwhile experience. Enjoy it and make it what you want it to be!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2015 10:26 AM

2015-07-06T10:26:28-04:00

Rallypoint is what you make it to be. If you want to only look as military issues then I would suggest using the Search Bar or using (Topic) Tags. I do this often use this go the Ranger, National Guard, Officer, Development, and Leadership tagged discussions. It is what we make it. Sometimes members like to see random stuff. Just keep in mind you are seeing the topic at the top of the list due to people interacting with it. So someone likes it. You can always hide those or avoid the Answers column.

I used to think we should only be discussing military matters only. But this isn't a professional military website. It is a website for military professionals. Sometime what I may think is trivial may not be to that PV2 out there in Fort Bliss.

It is just like any unit. You have all types there. I seek out the ones that I believe are going to aid and develop me and connect with them. I don't know of any organisation that is 100% work all the time. Just so you know "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy."

IN addition I would rather have someone on this forum than Facebook to kill time. As long as it remains in the guidelines of Rallypoint.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Jul 6 at 2015 11:00 AM

2015-07-06T11:00:20-04:00

I echo what CPT Richard Riley stated: it is what you make it. Personally, I find the military discussions forums LTC Yinon Weiss referenced and the individual unit and MOS pages the most useful. As as SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" said, a lot of people come here just to interact with other service members and to remain connected to the military community. It's all about information management. First ask yourself, "why and I on this site? What do I hope to accomplish here?" and take it from there.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Jul 6 at 2015 11:51 AM

2015-07-06T11:51:17-04:00

RP has enabled me to build me professional rolodex. To this, I will always accept a connection request (here, or on LinkedIn) that originates from RP. From a networking perspective, RP is a great tool. Sure, the conversations range from "what we had for lunch" to politics. But, this is a great site to come together with those that we share a common thread --and it's a very strong common thread. I guess like any tool, RP is as good as the user makes it.

Response by SSG James Arlington made Jul 6 at 2015 12:16 PM

2015-07-06T12:16:45-04:00

I had a hot dog for lunch.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2015 1:30 PM

2015-07-06T13:30:25-04:00

I see RP as a forum for military professionals (past and present) who can use this site as a valuable source for discussing all matters that may come to light. I think it's original concept, such as everything with internet, has morphed into a larger forum that covers many broad topics of interest and networking. The RP staff has done a wonderful job of policing the site and adding features that draws more interest for the community. I like hearing from retirees, veterans and newcomers and getting involved in discussions that can be controversial, as well as educational. The bottom line is that RP continues to grow because the members are engaged in discussion which is never a bad thing.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2015 2:03 PM

2015-07-06T14:03:12-04:00

A social support system. A place for us to reach out to each other for guidance, discussion, resources, ideas and learning. A place where you know you are talking to someone who understands where you are coming from even if they don't agree with you.

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jul 6 at 2015 4:21 PM

2015-07-06T16:21:45-04:00

I see RP as a chance to connect with colleagues from my own and different services on topics of interest to us all.

That being said, I also see it flooded with people's political and personal agendas. The recent flood of posts about DADT, same sex marriage and gay subjects borders on the obsessive compulsive.

I have come to like many that I have met here but have learned to use the ignore function for others.

It's a good experience for met all in all.

Stay on the tank!

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jul 6 at 2015 6:54 PM

2015-07-06T18:54:05-04:00

Although we sway off the beaten path quite a bit, I look at much of the discussions like I would a "history and moral philosophy" class, as discussed in R. Heinlein's Starship Troopers.

RP promotes debate, and critical thinking. Sure we go off-topic (a lot), but it's impossible not to when you have any sizable group.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2015 7:42 PM

2015-07-06T19:42:12-04:00

I kinda agree on the feels like FB part. Scratching my head on the grill cheese comment.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jul 6 at 2015 10:15 PM

2015-07-06T22:15:57-04:00

In one sense RallyPoint is a blank slate, that members can develop to their own tastes. Trial and error is one of the best schools for learning especially if there are no shots being fired at you. I have tried to treat each person with respect and generally found that other members do likewise.
RallyPoint is a crowd. One of the loneliest places on the face of the planet is to be alone in the midst of a huge crowd. If we connect with others and interact with them, RallyPoint can be a great place to discuss topics of interest and find groups we share values with.
Learning by doing, asking questions, has helped learn much since I first joined. Now RallyPoint is a source of fun, interaction, and learning for me. In that sense it is a Social Network. The fact that the vast majority of members have served in the military services links us in many ways some tangible and others intangible.
In March of this year I responded to an invitation to RallyPoint from last year from a LinkedIn connection. When I first got here I did not know the rules very well; but, I did my best to fill out my profile. I learned that automatically included me into a few groups - school, rank, specialty, etc.
I tried to think of things I was interested in for topics. In some cases I discovered other groups of like-minded people easily in other cases it was more difficult to find the correct topic group name.
I didn't know anybody when I first here. I tried to connect with people I thought I knew, had served with or had similar interests. The first month I made few connections and didn't interact with many people because I did not really know how to search. After I connected with a few people I was able to interact on issues I cared about which led me to other members.
SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4", COL Mikel J. Burroughs, GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad, CPT Private RallyPoint Member, COL Charles Williams, CW5 Charlie Poulton, CW5 Private RallyPoint Member, CPT Private RallyPoint Member, Capt Mark Strobl, SPC Private RallyPoint Member, SP6 Clifford Ward, CH (MAJ) William Beaver, LTC Stephen C.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2015 10:30 PM

2015-07-06T22:30:47-04:00

I think RP is what you make of it, but the common thread is being a service member or being a civilian involved in working with service members. I've met people on the site and received information about future private sector employment, given advice to young service members, engaged in substantial foreign policy and institutional debates, and discussed my affinity for coffee. Im sure it will stay a site that can be both productive and entertaining while maintaining a respective military overtone.

Response by Cpl Christopher Bishop made Jul 7 at 2015 5:48 AM

2015-07-07T05:48:00-04:00

I get the question, and most of the already posted possible answers. However we should all be mindful of What We Hope RP Does NOT Become.

There are already some who have come and gone because some people's Facebook habits have spread here such as using RP for a place to bitch about whatever vs being constructive, And/Or there have been some situations where upon a disagreement, some have actually "pulled rank" here, then been called out for that, then that stirs up the "how important IS rank here" and it seems that most of you still in uniform forget there are many Honorably Discharged Veterans here no longer subject to any UCMJ or rank structure, and with that comes the given we are often more outspoken (because in our time it was encouraged) than younger people today (insert decline of western civilization in general, etc.) and some of us, without a totally blatant disregard for rank, always saw it as "Brass puts their pants on just like I do".

I have been lurking around long enough to know these things happen.

Respect is key. However I would interject that leaders earn the respect of their juniors such that they never HAVE to "pull rank". If ya gotta stoop that low, your problem is in your own mirror.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jul 7 at 2015 10:11 AM

2015-07-07T10:11:09-04:00

I am not really sure... But, I am still a newbie. LCpl Mark Lefler

I started here to have military discussions, to stay connected, to learn (as I am now a teacher), and give back. Not that I know everything, but I do have the benefit of time, experience, and dumb mistakes... I like humor as much as everyone, and I try to keep my comments light hearted and not condescending.

But, I get concerned with two things. (1) Silly topics... (that I understand is all personal) and (2) then folks publishing hundreds of posts a day... and tagging everyone, so they get more points.

I personally think the points are the root of the problem. I am going to post far less, and drift away. I am also going to stop tagging, as I am part of the problem. I can look at Facebook, Instagram, etc for nonsense.

I understand from reading comments from administrators - GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" CPT Private RallyPoint Member CPT Laurie H. LTC Yinon Weiss The intent was for any topic, and if you don't want to see them, then don't look. I get that.

Response by SFC Willis Bullard made Jul 7 at 2015 1:28 PM

2015-07-07T13:28:47-04:00

Great question and here is my input for what it is worth. I was forced to retire in 1998. I did not want to. I had orders in hand for promotion but politics took over. I had returned from what turned out to be my last mission and when my "findings" contradicted the administrations talking points I was ordered to leave. I was not ready to hang up my cloak and dagger. I was even called back in 2003 for a few months. But I still did not get closure. I long for the camaraderie only found in the military community. I have struggled with being away from the military and miss the family daily. When my son went to West Point I found what I was missing. Being a part of the USMA family. When he graduated, his classmates took me on as their "Sarge" and we have bonded in a way only the military can provide. Now they have gone their different ways and one of them pointed my to RP. It has been a breath of fresh air. Some of my colleagues from days gone by are here and it is great to reconnect. Discussions are a breath of fresh air whether they are military topics or about that great grilled cheese. Why? Because I am sharing time with my brothers and sisters in arms. So I am thankful for each and every one of you for your service and your part in keeping the ol' Sarge entertained.

God bless all! Go Army, Beat Navy

Manchu out!

Response by MSG Floyd Williams made Jul 8 at 2015 2:05 AM

2015-07-08T02:05:43-04:00

Look, learn, listen, and receive the wealth of information to enhance your career, future plans after military life, develop leadership skills and knowledge, advice and encouragement doing the tough times, and help someone else along the way.

Response by SGT Aaron Atwood made Apr 28 at 2016 4:42 PM

2016-04-28T16:42:47-04:00

This is exactly how I've been feeling about RP lately. I initially joined RP under the impression that this was meant to be if anything a military version of LinkedIn (which is also how I've based my connections on here). Like you said it reads more like Facebook, and with it many similar gripes, rants, and the ranters.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2018 5:38 PM

2018-09-08T17:38:03-04:00

I had a grilled cheese for lunch