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

Remove the E2 from formation. Tell him to remain and dismiss the formation as if nothing has happened. After explain the consequences of his actions. Appropriately discipline if necessary.

Article 15.

It's a fine line to walk, if you strike him you could get in trouble for it. But you have to do something or you lose that sense of authority that you have with the rest of the platoon, he either does the task or Article 15 him for insubordination.

I'm of the same schooling that you praise in public, reprimand in private. I had this happen before and this is how I dealt with it:

Morning Muster/Formation - In Port. I was delegating work for the day and about half way through Seaman S. Bhag is given his duty and doesn't like it. So he spouts off about his discontent. I tried to silence him initially but he refused to save the discussion. I gave a direct order to be quiet and retracted my assignment.

SN S. Bhag was feeling a bit victorious as I reassigned the work to somebody else. I then went on to assign other work to others and saved the worst of the jobs for last. You can guess who I assigned that job to. When everyone was released, he was the last to break from formation.

When everyone had moved into the workspaces, I paid a visit to check up on my people. The unruly Seaman was dredging along but working. That's when I decided for some undocumented "Extra Military Instruction." He complained about getting the crappy job but I explained that if he had kept his mouth shut in formation, he would have had the less crappy of jobs. I concluded with declaring that the next time that he has a concern about his work, he bring it up directly to me after the formation and no sooner. Failure to comply with this would result in disciplinary action.

Did this change the attitude of SN S. Bhag? No. He was just a bad seed overall.
I will say that he never challenged my authority in formation again, though!

Considering I am a civilian and have know leader skills or any act in the military i'm not sure. If I was a drill instructor and someone smart mouthed me I would most likely do the same. It doesn't matter if you are a civilian or a E2, never backtalk anyone that is at a higher standpoint than yourself. Its not only a sign of respect, its a act of obedience. You're set out to do a job in the military that you signed up for. No matter the situation.

I would counsel, then punish. Then carry on.

1 Question. WTF do they do in basic ??? What happen to the REAL ARMY. Are these the problems the "NEW ARMY" HAS ? WoW

I carried myself pretty damn well and never had to worry about that. Had it ever happened, the Top Sergeant would be taking away some money from him/her, and the soldier would go back to E-1 and be doing some extra kp.

Push ups, until I am tired , then a blanket party

In my day Sarg would have given an impromptu hand to hand demonstration.

Obviously the PVT needs redirected, sure I'll give the task to someone else while the remainder of the day you flip the woodchips in front of the Battalion so they look new, then write your congressmen and explain your waste of taxpayer dollars.

Whatcha think JerrynKim

If you head strong and that undisciplined the Corp ain't for you. We'd a handled it Marine to Marine. Especially the 03 field. Maybe the "New Marine Corp" tolerates that shit. I've seen Marines change their tune real fast after some go one on one.

Let the little shits know that if they wanted to make the decisions for themselves, they should have stayed in the civilian sector of the population. Questioning and indecisiveness can and many times get you killed.

They can do it after they give me 250 on the ground

Call the MP'S IF he disregards a direct order. The UCMJ has that under control. Let them deal with it. That's their job.

Smack the dogcrap out of the puke........then make him do every shit detail for a week.

Well, in my time... it would be a slight arm grab, a rib shot, an ear full. Second time, someone be sitting in medic Bay. Job has to be done either way.

Beat your MF face. And hope to god the medic can get my foot outta your ass.

Unless the order was in some way unlawful, I would release the rest of my team for work detail, then escort this young PV2, (Army PFCs are E-3), directly to the company 1SG, and let him escort this soldier into the commander's office. I can almost guarantee this would result in some form of non judicial punishment, and he could well be finding himself not only doing the original task he was ordered to do, but a couple of weeks extra duty doing something even more distasteful, and some restriction. Not to mention money coming out of his pocket by way of a fine.