Do you think "Putting someone on their face" should be considered hazing in the Air Force?

Your NCOIC needs to re evaluate their position as an NCO. As NCOs, we have more than one option for corrective training. Physical training should never be considered hazing unless there was no justification for correction. Many SMs would rather take a counseling statement than do a few push-ups. Push-ups are a good disciplinary tool that not only condition the mind, but also help maintain the physical readiness of the service member. Sometimes administrative action will do more harm than good. An NCO should be more concerned about maintaining discipline and enforcing standards and less about political corrective ness. We need to keep in mind that we are the U.S. Armed Forces and not a civilian corporation. If paperwork is their only answer, they need to work on their skills as an NCO.

I don't think it's hazing. I also think in most cases it's a better solution than paperwork. We've adopted such a "zero defects" mentality as a force that we lose good people over one lapse in judgment. I had a brand new Private say something extremely stupid right in front of me a few months back. To give you some background information, as a Company Commander I have a basic level of judicial authority. This is very different than the Air Force, where that authority is typically held at the O4 level and above.

I have no doubt I could have given this wayward troop the ARNG equivalent of a summarized article 15. At my level I also have authority over whether he gets promoted or not. However, instead of filing paperwork this Soldier spent the better part of 10 minutes at the position of attention getting chewed on and educated on why what he said was utterly inappropriate. After being released to his Squad Leader I'm relatively certain he was brought out behind the armory for an additional reminder as to why he can't behave that way. Am I assuming risk in handling it this way? Probably. But I'm also giving this young troop a second chance, something that immediately filing paperwork does not. I prefer to save the paperwork for the repeat offenders.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!! Seriously? First, You underminded your own authority by doing that. Respect has to be earned and sometimes it has to be the hard way. If you put someone in the front leaning rest what are you willing to do in return?

Look, as an NCO you must carry yourself just a little bit better than you did as an Airman. Furthermore give that young Air Fella a choice. You wanna do 20 push ups or do you want a paper trail? Remember, the punishment has to fit the crime.

Also, do not admonish one of your subordinates before you tell them your expectations of them and learn their expectations of you.

Now, the @sshole in me is going to come out. Your NCOIC should have allowed you to finish the task you started with the Airman. Pulling you aside underminded your authority. I never did that to my subordinates, but I would chew their ass in private afterwards.

Pave your own road as an NCO and drag your Airmen along as well.