Posted on Nov 7, 2014
SFC Paralegal Specialist
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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?
Posted in these groups: Zgvwznrr9psdw5lzq6y7ihp6r9qhpdfhlbomkkkntap1slsxqwsblel onis9qdww00l q s85 DisrespectMilitary leadership skills civilian employment CiviliansHelp1%281%29 Counseling
Edited 11 y ago
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Responses: 380
SSgt Thomas Hirschey
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Time to add to the charges!
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PFC Scott Spann
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He is still in the service, if you outranked him, and he acted that way. He is just added to his court martial charges.

Depending on the rank of the one he turned his back on. He is in violation of Article 91: Insubordinate Conduct, or Article 89: Disrespect towards a Superior Officer.
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PO1 Tom Follis
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A court martial which was apparently held on base? I would have told the civilian lawyer to just go ahead and do your thing. After the session I would’ve made it clear that he just got another charge added on. After having 6 others conduct a private session.
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1SG Infantryman
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That civilian and former service member would be standing locked until I finished my immediate duty and then dealt with. Regardless of the title or position they held. Civilian is a support role and I don't care if it is I that may need to provide them of that reminder. I will do so as tactfully as they allow the conversation to be.
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GySgt David Lemanske
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I learned never to bark unless i was prepared to bite.
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Sgt Michael Sayles
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During my time in the Marine Corps, 1968-1972 I was personally too proud of the Corps reputation for discipline to ever consider hesitating let alone disobeying an order. I viewed myself as one of the best, the American Spartans and I couldn't bring disrespect on the reputation and legend of the Marines that had come before me.
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SSG Michael Scott
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I would put his ass in place
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TSgt Ncoic
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I think that civilian would have been told to STFU. But that is me. :-)
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PO2 Hank Kaczmarek
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that's why todays military has gone straight to hell. If a subordinate needs correcting, you correct him. If the turns away from you, TURN HIM BACK. Then write him up for the appropriate charge and let him explain to his CO why he was in the wrong uniform and copping an attitude when called up on it.
I was a Corpsman in the Marines, and depending on my duty status that day I had quite a few different uniforms I could wear. But I wore the one prescribed BY THE PLAN OF THE DAY.

The way things are today, you probably did right by going and cooling off. 40 years ago, it never would have happened in the first place---and if it had, correction would have been SWIFT.
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SMSgt George Bily
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Looks like a pussy needs a safe space because his feelings have been hurt. Time to join the Girl Scouts.
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