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

Grab a stack of poker chips throw them down the stairs and have them gator crawl for each piece individually and make them sound off, "I AM NOT THE BOSS YOU ARE", until task is completed. Insubordination will be cleansed from this new dicks soul...

I would tell him/her that I choose him because I knew he/she could do the job and if it meant life or death, I'm choosing life, so get busy!

As a professional, the only way to "react" is to not "react" at all. The Sargent in question has the duty to take positive professional official action, not indulge in personal, punitive reaction. I have not read the details of this piece, and do not know the outcome of the confrontation. I will say this; Rank has it's privileges as well as it's responsibility. This case is no different from any other, and should be handled by applying discipline, official, constructive, effective discipline. Such discipline can take the form of a verbal chewing out, extra duty, company level action by the commanding officer, or even a court martial. The marvelous effectiveness of the American military machine is not based on fear of punishment, but on devotion to duty. There is no room for private vendettas, or acts of physical puniishment unilaterally doled out at the whim of a superior. Military or not, the participants here are American after all, therefore respect for the individual, and adherence to due process, and the rule of law apply. Soldiers are not prisoners, they are American citizens doing a difficult job, and from the top to the bottom, they all deserve the protection of the law.

I really have never had this issue. However in my best former DI voice, I would remind him of his position in life.

There should be certain circumstances when, "Smacking the shit out of someone," is completely appropriate. Some may say violence solves nothing, to those types, I call it cause and effect. We allow people to get away with so mich because we no longer have a fear of consequences that should be instilled in all of us. Will all the PC out there, we'll never get it back without allowing things to be handled the way it used to be.

He can stand on the track and the rest will run...x miles....passing him standing there smirking.... let them take care of the problem..should he decide not to stand then...MP his ass

Take his liberty! Put a smudge in his page 11!

tell him or her to suck it up and do the task if they dont like write the big boss at 1600 penn ave

Dismiss the troops after the assignments and take this young man into an office and place this little butt head on report for disrespect and insubordination. You do not have to yell, no get in his face...that's what he wants but instead you look to the UCMJ to guide you. You can assign him office hours or Non Judicial punishment as justified for the insubordinate behavior...if this does not improve his "Attitude" then you need to get this piece of trash out of the service...

I really have never had this issue. However in my best former DI voice, I would remind him of his position in life.