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

I retired in 2000 when disrespect to a senior in charge was punishable by... What I would have done is now outlawed.

Come here boot. Let's go have a talk over here. When out of site, beat his ass. Then tell him to go do what he was told or get another one.

I hate the fact the the military these days has come to a "wall to wall counseling" type of army. If this were my soldier after assigning said duty and declined it I'd simply say stand fast after formation and dismiss everyone else. I'd than question why he has declined my lawful order as he was in the front leaning rest I'd also explain to him he signed a contract to Uncle Sam and he can follow the order given regardless of feel. I'd dismiss the soldier to their assigned squad leader and have their squad leader stay with the soldier at the close of business and proceed with a hearty smoking of various exercises for a couple of hours with his squad leader who is now upset they have to say because the soldier cannot comply. I learned it this way without counseling and I never did it again in my days. People change and begin to understand but some are just too far gone. If you've invested time into a soldier and they still do not want to comply and muscle memory training then counsel them and get them out. Every soldier has potential.

based on mission, I might assign somebody else to do the task while the PV2 stayed in the front lean and rest for however long the task took, inspected, and approved...then I would let billet justice teach this young man the error of his ways by his fellow peers and he would be on my shit list duty roster for the rest of his tour (or mine which ever was shorter) and he def would be put on the not recommended for promotion roster....

Sounds like it is time for a "promotion" ceremony to E-1.

You cut 'em!

You cut 'em.

On board ship we took care of things like that with "fan room counselling".

Senior SP4, had a PFC and a couple skeeter wings. One of the ' skeeters told me 'your not a Sgt, you can't tell me what to do'. Top came around corner and asked the private if he was on break. PFC blurted out 'he told him he wasn't a Sgt, so he doesn't have to do what he says' Top releases 3 of us and makes dude finish the detail by himself under Tops supervision. Never happened again

I'd jack his ass in front of Gawd and everybody else