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

He would never get liberty again until that attitude changed. In the military, off time is optional...not guaranteed.

I would write him up for insubordination.

tell them that they will do it or they will receive an artical 15

All I can say is that it will not be pretty when I was done with them.

I would call the E2 into my office and explain the necessity for teamwork on assignments, while he is at attention. Why doesn't want to do the assignment? is he ill, or just being a pain? If its the latter, refer the E2 to your supervisor.

Here is the issues, the more pussys in this messed up nation that grow up and think they can go in the military, the more we will see this issue, cause they think they can get things their way. Thus, our nation is screwed either way. We use to put respectable or made respectable gentlemen and women in the military, now we have bratty spoiled children going in and they are skating through without getting broke in. Plain and simple he needs to be court martialed for Article 91 Disobeying a superior. Kick his ass out of the military with a dishonorable discharge, and throw him to the streets. That is what I would do. I would keep my calm, and charge him for violating the UCMJ.

Have them salute the flag for 2 hours. Then have them do the task that I originally handed out.That is how it was done when I was in.

I had one of those Terminal Lances tell me to "fuck off" one day during PT. I had only been a Corporal for a few days, but the Plt Sgt told one of the other Corporals to take the rest of the guys onward and Me, my Plt Sgt, our other Sgt and 4 other Corporals ripped the guy up onside and down the other. After we did that my Plt Sgt told me to choose his punishment. I gave him saturday duty for 4 months. I figured messing with 16 of his weekends was enough, and it was, he never ran his mouth to an NCO's face again.

Tell him to be in my office in 10minutes. Everyone else is dismissed to your assigned work. When the E2 reports to my office I have article 15 paperwork for him to sign for failure to follow a lawful order.

Couple of things. " End state is the PFC will comply, the senior NCO should maintain his or her military discipline, composure, and professional bearing while providing the proper motivation. Upon completion of the PFC's task, NJP is warranted for insubordination, unprofessional conduct and conduct unbecoming. Since PFC thinks he belongs to some good old boys club and not a member of a team, some remediation training is in order. Some relationship building will be in order to establish authority. In the end it is the E-5's responsibility to ensure that after the dust is settled that he is someone the PFC can go to for essential needs ... ( equipment, training, answers to questions).
We may not like who works for us or who we work for but our mission and objectives are the same. Sometimes new members of the military need a reminder that when bootcamp , and MOS school ends , their responsibilities, jobs, service and careers begin.