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

The fact you need to ask that question is a question about your leadership ability as an "E-5."

Its simple, dismiss everyone else. Take his assignment and give it to his team leader. Take that soldier and give him his new assignments. First pick up every cigerette but in the battalion. Second, dig a fighting hole for each member in his squad. Third recite every general order, last but not least, my personal favorite. Clean every weapon in the arms room to standard. In otherwards, every shit detail that comes out. Put him on it.

PT AND EXTRA DUTIES EVERY DAY UNTIL THE ERA OF HIS WAYS BECOME CLEAR !! IF THAT FAILS, BRIG UNTIL ENLISTMENT IS UP !!

Well I know how it would have been handled in 1970...after the dirt bag returned from sick call the task would still be waiting for him!

This must be dealt with quickly. While some say handle it in private, I can tell you from experience, nothing corrects this faster than punishing the whole squad. Team leader in front with the whole squad in the front leading rest position for awhile while the E2 looks on. Yes it will be corrected that night during lights out.

Back in the day they would end up with every shit job I could dream up and liberty was in real short supply for them.

Chain of Command has to be notified of the E-2s actions, if he, or she is refusing to follow orders, it
stands to reason that anything you say to them is going to be ignored, hence possible Captains Mast!

"That's your job. There will be others after you do it. You will not cross the quarterdeck until you complete the job."

In the Navy, aboard a ship, only the CO (commanding officer) could restrict someone to the ship; however, his seniors could assign a reasonable task, and forbid him to leave the ship before the task is completed.

*If* he leaves the ship before it's done, then you've got an instance of UA (AWOL) in addition to the charges of disrespect, dereliction of duty, disobeying, etc. When you send him/her to Captain's Mast (NJP), you've got a bevy of charges sitting on the Skipper's podium - all stemming from one instance of attempted badassery at quarters.

Corrections need to be made immediately & on the spot. If troops you give orders to have something to say, as their leader, you need to let them know that shit don't work that way.

Then you give them a choice -Either they get hot on what you told them to do, or they get written up & lose some money. The choice is theirs.
(If they wanna get physical that's a totally separate issue, which can be taken care of, too, & also results in a write-up, anyway)lol

As a Specialist (E4) squad leader in charge of other E4's I have had this problem. It is rather difficult to handle another E4 because in their mind, you are the same. I was put in the position for a reason. Soldier tells me no. I remind soldier that I am in charge and that what I say you have to do. I prepared a counseling and the best part of the counseling is the ~magic bullet~ stating that if these actions persist, that UCMJ actions can be a result. Corrective training has to be related to the infraction and counseling swiftly administered. Detailed and carefully worded so that no loopholes can be found. Some of these soldiers think they are barracks lawyers. Once the corrective actions have been completed close out the counseling with a little "so why did you do it" session. It is important to know your soldiers and place their needs above your own. But at the same regard do not let them walk all over you. I make it a point not to only direct. I direct and actively work along side my soldiers. I feel that is a good way of showing leadership.

Is this a joke? After telling them this is a verbal order and they still refused I would eat them up one side then the other. Then counsel them in writing and recommend extra duty. If it happens again I would write them up again and recommend disciplinary act to be taken. If you let them do this in front of other soldiers/sailors you are weak. if this the new military? Make an example out of them! Or they will of you!

GySgt Kenneth Pepper I wish I was under you. I had to work along side this attitude the whole 3 years I was in. Basic training, AIT and my unit. It was a nightmare. "Go sweep and mop the floors" "go f yourself I'm not sweeping or mopping shit" sure enough they didn't and got away with it. So the rest of us had to do their work plus ours. No, it was not just 1 soldier, it was a group of them. Yes, it started with 1 that got others to follow.

in that case... Id have lost it. Old school for sure.. But in front of the unit you must maintain and let the rest know behavior of this type will not be tolerated step 2 to my office with his supervisor and my supervisor

After reading through what some senior leadership have said and contrasting with my own experiences, I will go with their advice on this.

Public humiliation as a first resort is lazy grandstanding that does more harm than good.

Dismiss the group, except for the soon to be E-1. Document the incident, charge with insubordination, disobedience of a direct order and dereliction of duty (and whatever other charges are appropriate). Forward up the chain of command. Additionally, I would put him under control of the next senior individual for his work assignment. He's not leaving the unit area, except to go to his quarters or chow until the issue is resolved.
Would really want to give him some "Gear Locker Counselling", but not in this "snowflake" era.

"alright fucker, you don't have to do this detail." Then I would company grade him for insubordination, failure to follow a lawful order, and whatever else I could. Giving him 14/14, and half pay might change their mind. If not at least you're starting a paper trail su you can chapter them later

I would hope that I could do the following...Turn to someone else and give them the task, then turn back to PV2 Snuffy and tell him that instead, the squad leader will take him to the Platoon Sergeant to whom he is now detailed for the day. The PSG should make it a very memorable (read traumatic) experience. Short that working...UCMJ...PV2 becomes PV1 and is very short on cash and busy for a while. (He may also "fall down some stairs" in the barracks as a result of fatigue from the extra duty). BTW...wasn't always a Chaplain...15 years Infantry...enlisted and officer.

I would drop him in front og everyone till he pukes while i sing tiny bubbles onto my deck makes me happy, makes me smile.

Times have changed and changing with them is imperitive. Basic training is done for the purpose of redifining the personalities of the individual onto the team concept. No is not an option and individuality is not how it gets done. I would have torn him a new one in front of the squad to prevent descension. The military lifestyle depends and thrives on team work and misfits need to understand that theyre actions can have a negative impact. As long as its a lawful order i own you.

He should have never made it out of basic training!