Posted on Nov 7, 2014
Disrespected while correcting a Soldier, how would you handle this situation?
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Ok so there I was at a court-martial asking a Soldier why he was wearing ACUs and not ASUs. He started to catch an attitude, so I told him to go to parade rest. He turned away from me looking at my paralegal, putting his hands in his pockets.
My paralegal tells him that he does not need to be looking at him, but at me, because I was the one addressing him, and that he needs to show respect. As the Soldier continues to stare out at my paralegal with his hands in his pockets, I continue to correct him when a civilian comes out to where I was correcting the Soldier stating that she had work to do and I could "yell" at him some other time.
I was so mind boggled and dumbfounded because said civilian used to be in the military. I'm sorry, but the last time I checked the Soldier was given a direct order by a CPT and myself that the duty uniform for the court-martial was ASUs and an alternate uniform had to be approved by the judge, so I was doing my job by asking him why he was in the wrong uniform and then correcting him when he began to disrespect me.
I felt so disrespected I just walked away and sat in a room to cool off.
How would you have handled the situation?
My paralegal tells him that he does not need to be looking at him, but at me, because I was the one addressing him, and that he needs to show respect. As the Soldier continues to stare out at my paralegal with his hands in his pockets, I continue to correct him when a civilian comes out to where I was correcting the Soldier stating that she had work to do and I could "yell" at him some other time.
I was so mind boggled and dumbfounded because said civilian used to be in the military. I'm sorry, but the last time I checked the Soldier was given a direct order by a CPT and myself that the duty uniform for the court-martial was ASUs and an alternate uniform had to be approved by the judge, so I was doing my job by asking him why he was in the wrong uniform and then correcting him when he began to disrespect me.
I felt so disrespected I just walked away and sat in a room to cool off.
How would you have handled the situation?
Disrespect
Civilians
Counseling
Edited 11 y ago
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 380
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I would have not have put my hands on him, but I would have called the MPs and had THEM put their hands on him and sent him to the brig!
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I am old school, let me give you an example Gunny Highway and Swede in Heartbreak Ridge
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I think that he was at a courts martial and the potential outcome. The Soldier did care what anyone was going to say. I have run into that same situation with a Soldier blowing off what I said. Ultimately all you can do is document, report and eventually discharge to Soldier. It is this generation that doesn't care about discipline, and their supervisors as a whole. They hate being told what to do. SO I have counseled and documented and working on chapter paperwork.
As for the civilian I would have put that person in their place and notified their supervisor.
As for the civilian I would have put that person in their place and notified their supervisor.
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Obviously the soldier in question is not military material. Any attempts to save his sorry butt are for naught! Forgive me but I am boiling, today's army is a volunteer force. He (the soldier) didn't have to be in the Army. He wasn't drafted. He took an oath and then he violates it. I would have added charges and ensure this soldier learned what a stockade looked like. You can't let it ride, because it is for the good of the service. As for the civilian, I would address the matter with his superior and also let him know I didn't like his disrespect. If we mistakenly let it slide, it hurts the military in a big way and we can't have that in our forces.
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Get the name of the civilian and file an official complaint to her superior. Bring charges against the soldier.
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Any civilian should respect any and all servicemembers and veterans. The Private looks up to the PFC, the PFC to the Lance-Corporal, and so on. The civilian looks up to the Private.
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1SG Jeffrey Mullett
We work for "We the People". They don't work for us.
I agree they should appreciate the Freedom we provide, but no one should be looking down on anyone. We volunteered for the privileges we receive, but we have no rank in the civilian world. I, as a US Soldier, will not be demanding respect from anyone. I will receive it, when I give it, maybe not even then.
I agree they should appreciate the Freedom we provide, but no one should be looking down on anyone. We volunteered for the privileges we receive, but we have no rank in the civilian world. I, as a US Soldier, will not be demanding respect from anyone. I will receive it, when I give it, maybe not even then.
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Sgt Arthur Grant
I appreciate your viewpoint, but I served no civilian, I served the country. GRANTed, I came from a family where military service was respected, so I have it rather bred into me. I have a particular metaphor of the country as a car, and the military maintain that car. Civilians I see as spare parts.
Do you remember John Glenn? What did he do? You remember him, don't you? Because he DID SOMETHING. OK, granted he was of particular individual significance, but the point is , he DID SOMETHING.
Now, among civilians, I think of Pete Rose. He DID SOMETHING. Just because he is not continuing to do something does not diminish the fact that he DID SOMETHING, even if only within the limited realms of sports.
Why do we remember George Washington? We remember him because he DID SOMETHING that others did not.
I feel greatly saddened, SFC, that you have been conditioned by the civilian world that your contribution was of such little import. Every one who serves in the military has contributed to the protection of our NATION. That is no little thing. The police support their little municipalities, and they are given respect, if you give them respect for THAT, then why should you not receive greater acclaim when you have SERVED THE NATION?
If I could do anything for any and all veterans, it would be to point out to them that they did something FOR A GREAT NUMBER OF PEOPLE known collectively as our nation, and that is not something that goes away.
Do you remember John Glenn? What did he do? You remember him, don't you? Because he DID SOMETHING. OK, granted he was of particular individual significance, but the point is , he DID SOMETHING.
Now, among civilians, I think of Pete Rose. He DID SOMETHING. Just because he is not continuing to do something does not diminish the fact that he DID SOMETHING, even if only within the limited realms of sports.
Why do we remember George Washington? We remember him because he DID SOMETHING that others did not.
I feel greatly saddened, SFC, that you have been conditioned by the civilian world that your contribution was of such little import. Every one who serves in the military has contributed to the protection of our NATION. That is no little thing. The police support their little municipalities, and they are given respect, if you give them respect for THAT, then why should you not receive greater acclaim when you have SERVED THE NATION?
If I could do anything for any and all veterans, it would be to point out to them that they did something FOR A GREAT NUMBER OF PEOPLE known collectively as our nation, and that is not something that goes away.
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1SG Jeffrey Mullett
The sad part is that you disregard who the country is. What we do is extraordinary, that is true, and if society doesn't appreciate it that is their right as Americans, the rights you and I provide. If you demand that respect than you are a Dick. I don't have time for Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines or Coasties who make that respect less by demanding it.
Based on your response, your comprehension needs something to be desired.
You see, I also come from a military family, my Father, Brother and I served, my Dad retired 23 years as an LTC, I decided not to take a commission and am still serving as an SFC with 29 years. I respect my fellow Soldiers, and I receive respect in return, because I have earned it, as have they. I cannot expect to receive respect from someone who knows nothing of what we do. You would be extremely ignorant to think that is what we sacrifice for.
For the most part I agree with what you said, but your impression of my comment was completely wrong. As a realist, I look at things the way others see them, not as others think they should be. YES, ALL Americans should respect us, greater than any others who serve this country, but the reality is, they don't.
Based on your response, your comprehension needs something to be desired.
You see, I also come from a military family, my Father, Brother and I served, my Dad retired 23 years as an LTC, I decided not to take a commission and am still serving as an SFC with 29 years. I respect my fellow Soldiers, and I receive respect in return, because I have earned it, as have they. I cannot expect to receive respect from someone who knows nothing of what we do. You would be extremely ignorant to think that is what we sacrifice for.
For the most part I agree with what you said, but your impression of my comment was completely wrong. As a realist, I look at things the way others see them, not as others think they should be. YES, ALL Americans should respect us, greater than any others who serve this country, but the reality is, they don't.
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I'm beginning to see what my Drill SGT were talking about in reference to millenials. I enlisted in the Navy in 07 that was Lee's of problem then but when I went to basic in FT Sill earlier this year yeah the drill sgts always talked about how millenials do nothing but complain and have little respect for anything. I don't think that applies to all but there is more then enough to warrant that distinction
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My answer to the civilian: Move away, this is not your business. Then back to the soldier, You have ____minutes to get in the proper uniform and be back here. If that fails to get through to the soldier, if he is in my unit, he gets an Art 15 and if he is not in mine, I report him to his unit. Don't back down to "cool off." "Smoke" him.
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