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

I believe this is a scenario that most E-5 and above encounter at some point. I would have private shit stain stand fast and clear the room. Then I would give him the opportunity to explain his insubordination. Maybe, just maybe, he has something happening personally that has him out of sorts. If no reasonable explanation is forthcoming I would shove a round of WP up his ass and AR15 him. I believe we need to try to remember the human element without allowing that to undermine our authority.

You have that shitbag and his squad leader stand by after formation, you smoke the dog shit out of both while explaining to the squad leader that his leadership style sucks ass and that he better unfuck the situation! If it happens again its a beat down!

I had a situation like this once in a multi-service school. I was the Student Platoon Sergeant and a newbie Air Force E-2 openly defied my authority. I ordered him to do push-ups and he had the nerve to say that I couldn't make him. Wrong answer. I grabbed him by his hair, kicked his feet out from under him and began pounding his face into the sidewalk until he decided that it would be wise to obey me. Of course, within 2 hours I found myself in front of the Air Force full bird Colonel who ran the school. He attempted to tell me that I couldn't treat Air Force personell like that. I countered with the fact that UCMJ applies to all service branches, and that I was willing to let the entire thing go as a case of successful wall to wall counselling. Otherwise, he would need to start up the Article 15 process for his dumbass airman, if he wished to press the matter further. That was the end of the matter.

Verbal Reprimand Immediately providing him with the alternatives to his continued misbehaviour.

make him stand a attention and drop everyone for push ups forever

I was in the Army from 81-84 and I saw this occur one time....only one time... The platoon was dismissed and dipshit stayed behind. Sgt came strolling by a little later and dipshit was out cold. NEVER happened again....I had no problem with that. I'm from the old school...if we had a problem...we took care of the problem.

Rip his ass out of formation and kick his ass teach him a lesson of respect

Let him know where he stands and who is in charge here .

I suspect it's handled much differently than it would have been dealt with back when I was in...in the 70's that E2 would have had a private training/motivational session with the E-5, behind closed doors

I had two PV2s in my squad who got into a fight in town early one morning. Of course, I got called into the CSM's office at O'dark thirty and got my ass reamed for not training my troops better. Two days later these two decided not to fall out for morning formation on-time. I went into the barracks and found them sleeping in their bunks (both on top bunks directly across from each other). I yelled for them to fall out and they simply rolled over so I grabbed each mattress and proceeded to drag them mattress and all off the rack and onto the floor into a heap. One jumped up and wanted to take a swing but thought better of it. Those two ended up in a very cold place later that day; monitoring a radio relay station on a mountain top for a week with nothing but their authorized clothing, no personal items, shelter halves, water, C-rats and a Soldiers Manual. They finally and reluctantly got their attitudes adjusted but were eventually transferred out of the unit.

First, he would hear expletives he's never even heard. Then, he would be on the floor so fucking fast his head would spin!

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.