How would you react to an E2 who "smart mouths" you in formation?

One of my minions tried that with me; a female PFC out of training for less than three months. For the record, I called the supply team under me my minions as a joke at one point, but the term stuck. Likewise, they all referred to me as "boss." When I got out, they all gave me little minion figures hand-painted to make their coveralls ACUs.

When this particular PFC mouthed off over an assignment in platoon formation over her assignment, I told her to see me after formation with a smile. I only smiled when I was pissed. My plan was to either remove her skull and scoop out the insubordination or help her deal with the issues that caused the insubordination before giving her an appropriate punishment.

I took the soldier into the supply room and had a nice long chat with her (the other minions were doing their duties in the room, so we weren't alone). I was a little laid back in it because I could tell she was having problems. I found out what the problem was, something concerning relations in her family, and did what I could to assist her. Ultimately, I referred her to the Chaplain who helped her through what I couldn't. She was very thankful for the help and even bought coffee the next day for the supply room.

She was slightly upset with having to "mop" the supply room with a washcloth because she mouthed off in formation, but I made sure to explain why she was doing what she was doing. I also explained that she should come to me with any problems in the future rather than just letting them stew until something bad happened. In all, I felt that I handled the situation well. I helped the soldier with the problems that caused the issue and then meted out a decent punishment to negatively reinforce future issues.

Another soldier (E-2 getting ready for his E-3) tried that without any reason or problems, but just because he thought he could get away with it. So, I made him put on full battle rattle, check out a rubber duck, and low-crawl through the entire motor pool to check proper placement of each of the vehicle chalk blocks and drip pans. The unit was a BSB, so the entire thing took him close to six hours. I made him do it again the next day because he missed the fact that I removed the chalk blocks from one of the vehicles in the middle of the motor pool. The second time he found the one I removed.

I would take said E2 to the side and find out what their major malfunction is. If they continue to give me attitude, I will certainly ask my First Class or Chief for advice on how to best proceed. Being their friend is not required of me to do my job. I just need to respect them, and show them by example that I know what I am doing. Jumping on them in formation shows that you lack professionalism. I agree that there could be something going on with them that is not known, and that is causing the issue. If that is the case, it can be dealt with in private, especially if the situation is of a sensitive nature, and does not need to be broadcast to the unit en masse.

I always punished under the same setting the disrespect occurred. Apparently he didn't have the courtesy to ask his supervisor to speak on the side and explain. However, this was known in advance during initial counseling to all my soldiers. If they choose to question my orders in public, they knew what would happen in advance.

This is more than a case of "Smart Mouthing". This is outright insubordination and needs to be addressed as such. Have the individual report to you immediately after formation and then deal with whatever is going on in the appropriate manner.

On the other hand, I would like to know why an E-5 is asking this question? Is it that you actually don't know what to do or is it that you are looking for affirmation of your actions?

I will see you in the captians office

I would move on with my work assignments. Dismiss the formation. Confine him to quatters to prepare for inspection while I submit papper work from reduction in rank and extra duty starting with the order he refused. Hopefully this corrective action would reedducate him to perform up his maximum political.

1. push-ups. 2. additional training. and if that doesn't work, take out an pen and start writing the individual up. as the senior e5 when squad leaders wouldn't handle their squads, i simply went to attention called the platoon to attention, had them do a half right face and put them in the front leaning rest. only took once.

A 'gentle' reminder that unlike the civilian society, the military is NOT a democracy. He will, of course, have extra duties to remind him that when he's given an order, it's NOT optional. Of course, it's been a LOOONG time since I've been in the military so I'm sure there are PLENTY of great people out there who have a better ideas than I do.

Not going to chew on them, it's better done in private. Maybe there's something brewing, they may be hanging with the wrong bunch.. so I'll have him hang back and we'll find out what the reason is for the attitude and what we can do to remedy the sit-rep.
Meanwhile I'll assign them to assist in another detail with some I know have a more positive attitude.

It's called OFFICE HOURS for disobedience of an order!!!!!