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

I would grab the dip shit by the stacking swivel and bitch slap him. Last time I did that was 1981 in Korea to an SGT who told me (SFC) he wasn't going to hump the PRC 25 on the force march. Threw him through the concertina wire and outside the compound. Oh, and he humped the radio that day. Times have changed. (I retired in 2010 with 39 years of service. I've seen the changes since Vietnam in the Army and they haven't been for the good)

Punish the entire group for his insubordination. No paperwork, just PT and restriction to base. The unit will get him straight on their own and the E-2 will learn a valuable lesson in that the group is more important than the individual.

Back in the day we called it WALL-2-WALL counseling!!!! There is NO TIME for insubordination... EVER!!!!

Ass whooping in my day. USMC 1981

Should have never gotten rid of CCF.

Tree line.

Take that one stripe and take his pay for 2 months making him an E-1 for insubordination...at least that's what would have happened when I was on active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps

They could be having a bad day or something else could be on their mind that is making them act that way, perhaps their wife asked for a divorce the other day. I'm sure we've all had moments where we've been careless and lost our military bearing because of external factors. I would have a talk with the soldier after the formation and determine if there is any problem the soldier is dealing with. If the soldier has a legitimate problem they are dealing with, I would sympathize but remind them that military bearing must be maintained for the good of themselves and the unit. If the soldier is continually belligerent, then I would recommend them for an Article 15 or offer them a non-physical punishment. From my experience, smoke sessions fix issues having to do with negligence but not so much disrespect or a bad attitude.

I agree with all replies posed. At no time should any disrespect be allowed. Reminded me of the 1 time I was disrespectful to an NCO. I did regret the action and paid the consequence.

Crush immediately....! Do not stand for insubordination in formation. Throw it down so hard, that soldier will never look you in the eye again.