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

Wall to wall council.

His mouth as well as his brain - what there is of it, must be rearranged, perhaps privately. and or brought on charges or singled out for special duties until he realizes to get along you must go along.

remind him I've never lost an ambush,,,doesn't have to be physical just have him hold fast along with his team leader to let him reconsider his response.

remedial training Followed by a counseling statement extra duties and if he continues with his mouth and lack of respect for his chain of command then meeting with higher up

Reach over and grab my collar look to see me rank insignia, and loudly ask, "Did my shit fall off?" Sgt Holzhauser in 1970 taught very effective communications.

i would have him put in the brigg for a time

Make a public example of him.

Ask him how long it's been since he had his gums bled. If he has a smart ass reply, then hook him up at the earliest possible convenience.

I'd find the nearest Buck SGT and have him smoke the youngster ass. Or do they not do that anymore?

You smoke the shit out of him and remind him when he stands in the chain of command and when he has the right to refuse an order. Then after all that is finished don't let him leave just all pissed and thinking your an ass or jerk which I really don't care because you're doing your job. Sit him down or take it to the shade or have an informal one on one and try to find out what's going on if this is abnormal for him. If not remind him if he doesn't change and this behavior continues you will see him on his way out of the military by any means necessary.

Just "DO IT and FORGET ABOUT IT".... "It Just Don't Matter..." (US Army E4 1972 Vietnam Era) "Boo Coo Dinky Dow..."

I am now a very senior Colonel, though, many years ago I was a SGT. I remember in jump school (as an E2) I saw a student smart off to a black hat (instructor), several instructors took him behind a building, he emerged about 5 minutes later, he was a little ruffled and did exactly as he was told. My point, sometimes the old ways are the best. The military is not for everyone, if it was, we wouldn't be the elite of society. It is the job of leaders, CPL and above, to ensure young troops are grounded on basic discipline, the discipline that saves lives in combat. As for this case (and I was still a SGT) he would have remained in the front leaning rest position while I instructed him in the duty, permitted only to ask questions to clarify the task. Once the task was complete he would have completed PT in a mud puddle until he puked. I would never see such a thing today, if I did I would ask my SGM to handle it.

we called that "dogging wrench discipline"

Sick and tired of this namby pamby treatment, of troops that blatantly disrespect authority. Dismiss everyone, except the private and his team leader. Take both to the First Sergeants
Office. Have Private explain to him the reason for his insubordination, and refusal of a direct order. Let Top decide how best to handle him, for me I would lock him up, push for a dishonorable discharge.

pull him to the side and smoke the fuck out of him.......

What bullshit, politically correct, idiotic responses.
"Give him time to explain insubordination."
You have got to be kidding.
Say nothing and bring him up on charges. In a disciplined Military, you must take action immediately. Now I know, in the last eight years, lower EMs have been allowed to ask for time outs, incorrectly wear their hair and uniform and mouth off. Time to get this corrected, immediately. Boot these buttheads out. They will only be trouble. And Cpl, grow a set.

First tell to at ease, then take him to a area away from the other soldiers and get to the bottom of why he did what he did. I would make it very clear of who he is and who I am and the consequences he could face for disrespect to an NCO. If he continues the disrespect then I would get the chain of command involved. I did have such an issue during Iraqi Freedom when I returned from Iraq after being injured and I took the position of PLT SGT and had a soldier who was more than disrespectful. I couldn't have him put in jail and had written him about 10+ times and had no success in correcting his attitude. He was eventually discharged.

There would be a wall out there somewhere your your face planted on it with me "calmly" explaining why you will do what you are told, when you are told, and you will keep your mouth shut........

I know what you vets are thinking but I am an nco in MCJROTC and I've had this happen a number of times, we take care of the situation pretty simply, first we tell them to slow theyre roll, if don't comply we fall them out talk, not working, open punishment to class easy. If that doesn't work then they get that boot.

His refusal in front of peers is unacceptable and should be addressed on the spot. During my stint during the last two years of the Vietnam war if this happened you would be taken out back a had an attitude adjustment. In today's world I am sure that is not allowed anymore but should be as it garnered respect.