5 Years at RallyPoint
Originally posted on July 2, 2019 at rallypoint.com
Vigilant about professional development, I joined RallyPoint (RP) after reading about it on Facebook while in South Korea. I was a new non-commissioned officer (NCO) and eager to improve myself. I'd already read FM 7-22.7 (The NCO Guide), FM 6-22 (Leadership), and about Signal Corps history. I read TM's for my equipment. I strove to remain technically and tactically proficient per the NCO Creed. But I wanted more. More for my professional development. More for my career as an IT specialist. More to share with others. Just more.
Even though I was an NCO, I only had two short-term mentors up to that point. I saw RallyPoint as a good substitute. It was. I suddenly had access to Leaders across all military branches and Veterans from each generation. I could discuss changes within the new AR and DA PAM 670-1. I could ask senior Leaders about lessons learned resulting in current SOP's. Most importantly later on, I could learn about transitioning into the civilian world from others who've already done it.
Twenty seconds into my latest single "2015 (Big Change Coming)" I said “Justice Outreach and SFL [Soldier For Life - Transition Assistance Program] were all that grounded me” regarding my transition. Following that analogy, RallyPoint was the plug providing mental energy to focus on what I discussed with those groups. To summarize how from my first RallyPoint Command Post “Why Service Members (Past, Present, and Future) Should Use RallyPoint" - a sense of community, networking opportunities, and Veterans resources and benefits information.
Even better, here's some notable examples. RP is the only place I've been able to have a civil conversation about controversial topics - e.g. racism, gun laws, LGBT, and Linux versus Windows. IT specialists advised me on certification programs and college projects. RallyPoint Command Post was the first platform I guest blogged. Most importantly, the community helps me with the military-to-civilian transition I still struggle with five years post-military.
RallyPoint isn't perfect. Like other social media and forum platforms, sometimes members spam, argue, and give empty responses. Unlike other platforms, RP is proactive with such issues without pushing a narrative to maintain a reputable resource for Veterans. They empower the community to do the same with a vote and flag system.
All of this adds to why I appreciate every time RallyPoint staff and moderators reach out to me regarding employment assistance and career goals. This is why I wear my RallyPoint shirt proudly, share RP threads with non-members, and talk about it whenever I can. But what I care about most - when I need any assistance, especially as a Veteran, this is my RallyPoint.
Now, RallyPoint is my Facebook, Twitter, and news source. The IT pros make RP my StackExchange. Finding the Suiting Warriors, Cry Havoc documentaries, and 1Vet2Another's here are my networking events. The recruiters, VA officials, and politicians make this my LinkedIn for Veterans. But what I care about most - when I need any assistance, especially as a Veteran, this is my RallyPoint.
Tags: military
