RallyPoint Military Project

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September 2013

Hello, I'm BracketBot. I have automatically detected that your edit to 82nd Airborne Division may have broken the syntax by modifying 2 "[]"s. If you have, don't worry: just edit the page again to fix it. If I misunderstood what happened, or if you have any questions, you can leave a message on my operator's talk page.

List of unpaired brackets remaining on the page:

• pushed a single company forward with A-2/504 deploying only one company out of the entire brigade). The operation was critically flawed in several areas. Newly issued BDUs were not designed for the
• [[[[File:Task org of 4th BCT, 82ABN.PNG|thumb|right|500px|Organizational structure of 4th Brigade

Thanks, BracketBot (talk) 04:14, 25 September 2013 (UTC)

Your account has been blocked indefinitely from editing Wikipedia because it appears to be mainly intended for publicity and/or promotional purposes. If you intend to edit constructively in other topic areas, you may be granted the right to continue under a change of username. Please read the following carefully.

Why can't I edit Wikipedia?

Your account's edits and/or username indicate that it is being used on behalf of a company, group, website or organization for purposes of promotion and/or publicity. The edits may have violated one or more of our rules on spamming, which include: adding inappropriate external links, posting advertisements and using Wikipedia for promotion. Wikipedia has many articles on companies, groups, and organizations, but such groups are generally discouraged from using Wikipedia to write about themselves. In addition, usernames like yours are disallowed under our username policy.

Am I allowed to make these edits if I change my username?

Probably not, although if you can demonstrate a pattern of future editing in strict accordance with our neutral point of view policy, you may be granted this right. See Wikipedia's FAQ for Organizations for a helpful list of frequently asked questions by people in your position. Also, review the conflict of interest guidance to see the kinds of limitations you would have to obey if you did want to continue editing about your company, group, organization, or clients. If this does not fit in with your goals, then you will not be allowed to edit Wikipedia again.

What can I do now?

If you have no interest in writing about some other topic than your organization, group, company, or product, you may consider using one of the many websites that allow this instead.

If you do intend to make useful contributions here about some other topic, you must convince a Wikipedia administrator that you mean it. To that end, please do the following:

• Add the text {{unblock-spamun|Your proposed new username|Your reason here}} on your user talk page.
• Replace the text "Your proposed new username" with a new username you are willing to use. See Special:Listusers to search for available usernames. Your new username will need to meet our username policy.
• Replace the text "Your reason here" with your reason to be unblocked. In this reason, you must:
  • Convince us that you understand the reason for your block and that you will not repeat the edits for which you were blocked.
  • Describe in general terms the contributions that you intend to make if you are unblocked.

If you believe this block was made in error, you may appeal this block by adding the text {{unblock|Your reason here}} below, but you should read the guide to appealing blocks first.

Daniel Case (talk) 03:14, 27 September 2013 (UTC)

Request for unblock

This user's unblock request has been reviewed by an administrator, who declined the request. Other administrators may also review this block, but should not override the decision without good reason (see the blocking policy).

RallyPoint Military Project (block log • active blocks • global blocks • contribs • deleted contribs • filter log • creation log • change block settings • unblock • checkuser (log))

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Request reason:

The username I selected was specifically recommended to me by a Wiki admin with whom I previously discussed my overall vision for my project. Also, the external links I utilized were intended to provide a richer experience for Wiki users who would benefit from interactively exploring a specific unit's entire organizational context, and also exploring to a deeper level the units with organizational structures shown on Wiki. At present, Wiki users can only view static images that do not display a unit's organizational structure to the lowest doctrinal level. Also, the direct integration of RallyPoint's interactive DoD environment into Wiki is not technically possible due to Wiki system limitations. RallyPoint Military Project (talk) 16:16, 6 October 2013 (UTC)

Decline reason:

I find it very surprising that any Wikipedia administrator should suggest the username you have chosen, because it conflicts directly with WP:Username policy#Usernames implying shared use, the point being that a Wikipedia account must be for a single individual only, who is personally responsible for it. Something like "James at RallyPoint" would be acceptable, and would serve the purpose of declaring your interest. If you have colleagues at Rallypoint who wish to edit, they would each need their own account. Regarding external links, see reply below. JohnCD (talk) 20:40, 6 October 2013 (UTC)

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If you want to make any further unblock requests, please read the guide to appealing blocks first, then use the {{unblock}} template again. If you make too many unconvincing or disruptive unblock requests, you may be prevented from editing this page until your block has expired. Do not remove this unblock review while you are blocked.

My account appears to have been blocked for two main reasons: username violation and inappropriate use of external links. I will clarify this below.

Username violation

Prior to undertaking any editing initiatives on Wiki, I discussed my project's overall intentions with a Wiki admin and requested advice on how to proceed, to include selection of my username. My intent with my username was to:

1. Provide transparency into my actions;
2. Avoid conflicts of interest that may result from my editing actions.

After he reviewed my overall vision and we agreed on appropriate first steps, I was directly advised by this Wiki admin to select the username that I did choose.
Update. In line with the helpful recommendation by Buckshot06, I am submitting this request for username change.

This user's request to be unblocked to request a change in username has been reviewed by an administrator, who declined the request. Other administrators may also review this block, but should not override the decision without a good reason (see the blocking policy). Do not remove this unblock review while you are blocked.

RallyPoint Military Project (block log • active blocks • global blocks • autoblocks • contribs • deleted contribs • filter log • creation log • change block settings • unblock • checkuser (log))

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Requested username:

Aaron@RallyPoint (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)

Request reason:

I request to change my username to conform with Wikipedia's conflict-of-interest guidelines. I will not repeat the edits on WP pages pertaining to US military units for which I was blocked, without first reaching WP:Consensus on the talk page of WP:WikiProject Military history. When unblocked, I intend to contribute edits that pursue improved accuracy and richness as appropriate, so as to provide WP users with a superior experience on WP.

Decline reason:

Procedural decline; usernames should not contain the @ character (see Technical restrictions on usernames) Yunshui 雲‍水 13:32, 9 October 2013 (UTC)

External links

The external links were intended to benefit Wiki users with a richer experience not technically possible within Wiki. Organizational structure graphics currently displayed within Wiki limit a Wiki user's experience in these ways:

1. The charts typically do not go below the battalion (or non-Army equivalent) organizational level;
2. The charts are static, instead of allowing for a more enjoyable interactive experience. Think of using hard copy map versus using Google Maps, for example. What is the consensus better option?
3. The static charts do not allow for a Wiki user to explore a specific unit within the overall organizational context of the USA DoD. Users do not readily conceptualize where this unit "fits" in the overall USA DoD organizational structure.

The external links I included allow a Wiki user to "open up" the entire USA DoD organizational structure at the EXACT position where that unit exists. Users can them explore more deeply into that unit, or explore other sister, parent, or other-service organizations inside the DoD from this same window. It is also important to note that these organizational structures are updated in RallyPoint daily using crowd sourcing, as units move around dynamically under ADCON or OPCON status depending on the real world mission.

Example comparison between experience currently provided to Wiki users on Wiki pages, versus via RallyPoint external links

Let's say a Wiki user wants to explore the organizational structure of the 1st Brigade Combat Team (1st BCT) of the 101st Airborne Division. Here are his options:

Pre-RallyPoint integration. Go to the Wiki page of the 101st Airborne Division and view the "current structure" static image shown here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:101st_US_Airborne_Division.png.

Problem: This image does not display below-battalion level units within the BCT.

Post-RallyPoint limited integration. Go to the Wiki page of the 101st Airborne Division and view the more recently updated RallyPoint static image of this structure:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Task_org_of_1st_BCT,_101st_ABN.JPG

Problem: this image is static only, and fails to allow a Wiki user to conceptualize this unit as part of the overall USA DoD organizational structure.

Optimal integration with external link that was blocked. Wiki user clicks on external link included in description of RallyPoint static image, and is taken to this link:

https://www.rallypoint.com/universe?unit_id=2532-1st-bct-1st-brigade-combat-team-101st-airborne-division-air-assault-fort-campbell-ky:

SOLUTION: This experience resolves the two aforementioned problems and benefits Wiki users with a richer experience not technically possible to integrate directly inside of Wiki.

Thank you for your consideration, and I look fwd to resolving this misunderstanding as soon as possible. RallyPoint Military Project (talk) 16:31, 6 October 2013 (UTC)

In line with the above editors, RallyPoint Military Project, would you please nominate a username that would indicate a single person - 'James@RallyPoint' or similar style. Buckshot06 (talk) 06:07, 7 October 2013 (UTC)

Comment about proposed external links

With regard to the links you propose, please review WP:External links, particularly the section WP:EL#ADV: "you should avoid linking to a site that you own, maintain, or represent—even if Wikipedia guidelines seem to imply that it may otherwise be linked. When in doubt, you may go to the talk page and let another editor decide. This suggestion is in line with Wikipedia's conflict-of-interest guidelines."

What you should do is, suggest on the article talk page that addition of this link would improve the article, and see whether uninvolved editors agree with you ("editor" means just the same as "user", there is no separate class of "editors"). You could also post a message on the talk page of WP:WikiProject Military history to invite members to comment. If your idea is to add these links to many articles, the WikiProject talk page (WT:MILHIST) might be a better place to have the discussion. That would be in line with the general policy explained at WP:BOLD, revert, discuss cycle that if your edit is reverted you should discuss it on a talk page and try to reach WP:Consensus. Regards, JohnCD (talk) 20:49, 6 October 2013 (UTC)

This user's request to be unblocked to request a change in username has been reviewed by an administrator, who accepted the request.

RallyPoint Military Project (block log • active blocks • global blocks • autoblocks • contribs • deleted contribs • filter log • creation log • change block settings • unblock • checkuser (log))

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Requested username:

Aaron@RallyPoint (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)

Request reason:

I request to change my username to conform with Wikipedia's conflict-of-interest guidelines. I will not repeat the edits on WP pages pertaining to US military units for which I was blocked, without first reaching WP:Consensus on the talk page of WP:WikiProject Military history. When unblocked, I intend to contribute edits that pursue improved accuracy and richness as appropriate, so as to provide WP users with a superior experience on WP.

Accept reason:

Allowing username change to requested username. Please put this request in at Wikipedia:Changing username as soon as possible to avoid re-blocking. Buckshot06 (talk) 07:28, 9 October 2013 (UTC)

Step very carefully, RallyPoint / Aaron. Improper actions at this point will probably get you blocked for good. The community at WT:MILHIST needs to see justified worth in your proposals before you start weaving your RallyPoint website into WP in any way. However, please do not hesitate to approach me on my talk page for guidance. Buckshot06 (talk) 07:31, 9 October 2013 (UTC)

Do another rename request that does not include the @ symbol, Aaron. Buckshot06 (talk) 22:21, 16 October 2013 (UTC)

This user's request to be unblocked to request a change in username has been reviewed by an administrator, who accepted the request.

RallyPoint Military Project (block log • active blocks • global blocks • autoblocks • contribs • deleted contribs • filter log • creation log • change block settings • unblock • checkuser (log))

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Requested username:

eggron1984 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)

Request reason:

I request to change my username to conform with WP conflict-of-interest and username standards guidelines. I need to remove the mention of a specific company name from my username. Also, I will not repeat the edits on WP pages pertaining to US military units for which I was blocked, without first reaching WP:Consensus on the WP:MILHIST talkpage. When unblocked, I intend to contribute edits that pursue improved accuracy and richness as appropriate, so as to provide WP users with a superior experience on WP.

Accept reason:

You've been unblocked; follow the directions in the previous unblock request on how to file for a name change. Kuru (talk) 02:31, 18 October 2013 (UTC)

Inaccurate US Army Battalion level Organizations

Although I understand your reasons to provide a more detailed view of the unit organizations below the brigade level, the information you displayed, for example 3rd Infantry Division, are inaccurate. Your graphic displays for the combined arms battalions are wrong. Even though the battalion has an armor designation and infantry designation, Armor Brigade Combat Teams have battalion with both tank companies and mech-infantry companies. Also, your 2nd BCT FA Battalion has 6 batteries. Where are you getting this from??? Do you have a reputable source as to the structure of these battalions? Because unless you do, coming from someone who is serving in a similar US Army unit, please don't post these org structures. Shovonma17 (talk) —Preceding undated comment added 02:48, 13 November 2013 (UTC)