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

Make a circle and see how tough the recruit is

Do NOT change the job assignment. The other troops need to know that, in the military, like it or not, you have the rank and you are in charge. There has to be a plan, beforehand, to handle this type of insubordination! Extra duty would be a good start. The chain of command should and must back you up on this. The alternative is a breakdown in authority. As far as the "shove it" goes, that's probably an Article 15 offense. Now we get into fine and loss of privilege!

When I joined-Drill Instructor put you down and punished the whole platoon and the platoon punished you in private---everyone got the message real quick-you are one!!!!!!

Smoke 'em all! The rest of the squad will make sure it doesn't happen again!

Whatever was needed to motivate his arrogant ass back in line to perform his duties without complaining and being a disrespectful shitbag.

slap him

Bring him to attention. Have 2 SNCO's Fall In alongside him and march him to the guard room to be charges with "Conduct Prejudicial to Good Order and Discipline"

discipline for disobeying an order

Kick his ass right then. I hit without thinking one time

As I have transitioned into federal service since separating, I still have had the privilege of working with some great military servicemen and women. So I have seen this occur more often than I wish to.

For every 500 or so terrific military folks I have encountered over the years, you occasionally get that one E1 or E2 that struts around the workplace acting as if there were four stars on his shoulder. The majority of NCOs that have been subjected to this insubordination from what I witnessed generally handle it in a proper and professional manner. When I see a junior enlisted military member "mouth off" to an NCO it does bother me to some degree. But I know it is not my place to say anything and the NCO usually takes care of the problem on the spot. In some cases I have seen the NCO use his/her chain of command wisely to have the insubordinate airman, soldier, sailor, etc reassigned to another office or duty.

Unfortunately there have been a couple of instances where a junior enlisted member has demonstrated has tried to assert authority over me by basically telling me how to to my job. First, I remind the individual that he/she needs to re-read the UCMJ and learn where their line of authority begins and ends. Second, I inform them of my civilian pay grade to state that I technically outrank them and to never address me in an unprofessional manner again. Third, I inform the insubordinate individual's direct military supervisor and let them handle it from there. Like I said, it's not my place to enforce discipline in these situations and I leave that to the proper personnel.

I know there are some instances where using the chain of command doesn't always work. But within a professional office environment such as mine, it is usually the best course of action for an NCO when dealing with an insubordinate E1, E2, etc. This route has generally yielded positive results in favor of the NCO.

Brigade smoking!

Lighter Fluid & Zippo. ( Cheap one of course, why ruin a perfectly good lighter. )

Wall to wall counseling was still acceptable in my era.

Gentlemen, I admit, I'm an 'old guy', having started my military career (Navy, then Army) in 1970. I have twice had young, impressionable troops attempt to smart mouth me. Both were invited into "The Office" (usually behind a vehicle where the troops can't see) and I handed said troop(s) their ass. We referred to it as Wall To Wall Counseling. See, I'm 'old school'. I was taught that you praise in public and kick their ass in private. Worked both times, and an added benefit, no one else got the idea that giving me shit was a good idea. I expected my subordinates to lead by my example and backed them (if they were right). On the other hand, I had the respect of my company commander and when I went with a recommendation of disciplinary action, he would take a stripe right there in the field. (only went crying to the CO twice when the insubordination was egregious, to me and a commissioned officer). I had very few problems, but when I did, that's how I dealt with it.

March his ass into the office, notify your Frist Setgeant. Ensure swift discipline action is taken to ensure you set the proper tone for your soldiers. Failure to comply with any order unless it is unlawful needs to be address immediately. This type of behavior should never be tolerated in a military unit.

Understand praise vs. punishment, and sending everyone out except leader and person is perfect. Called out yet not. Else it's more for after leaving the service. I failed my physical yet knew what to do and how to respond to, what would become my superiors, I knew the ranks, regardless of service, and wanted a boat (again yes a submariner) early 80's but you know the ASVAB non coms used terms I'd never heard but figured them out. They were Army, yes I wanted Navy, but disrespect; never ever an option. They had a job, I did not. I was a civilian. They treated me as they should have. I have many friends who serve, or served, they shall ALWAYS receive my respect for their service and rank.

Duck walk his ass until his ass falls off.

Seaming you cannot touch anybody know days, there are sure fire ways to make this recruit regret opening his mouth to his superiors. Article 15 and some duties that are way worse than the one assigned. Restriction to any free time.

I would take this individual to an office alone and explain that professionally they would pay for refusing an order. Then I would handle the issue of public incibordination with response that would make them never do it again.

Escort him to your Commanding Officer .

write his /her ass up Then this response would be adequate..."Pvt Numbnuts you will stand by after formation." Proceed with the assignment of duties for all others and break formation. "Pvt Numb, have you lost your effin' military mind?!?" There should be an immediate response. Followed by either some PT and then numbnuts going about his duties as ordered or counseling with the Platoon Sergeant present and paper trail of said counseling.

When I was in we never dared. Consequences were brutal

I tel him he signed up and these are his orders to carry out

Being a Mustang, my opinion is that you ignore the second bad mouth, dismiss the troops and see the PVT in private with another NCO present. Your first approach, as a counselor, is to be supportive. Ask how the PVT feels. What's going on in his life? Is anything bothering him, etc. Rule out illness, drugs, alcohol, personal tragedies, financial problems, etc. Those things aside, ask the PVT what he would do with an insubordinate troop if he were the NCO. The discussion, if the PVT is calmed down and being rational, should lead him to the understanding that what he did was wrong on many levels. It was unprofessional, disloyal, against the values of the military and not in keeping with the traditions and purpose of the military. There should be punishment and a requirement for a public apology. Face-to-face show downs are never as successful in reality than as they are in the movies. Troops lose respect for a supervisor who looses it on a Troop, even if the Troop deserves it. Praise in public, discipline in private almost always yields the best results. Demonstrating calm leadership in the barracks translates to battlefield confidence. If you lose it when there are no billets flying, what are the troops expected to think about your battlefield leadership ability?

Slap them!

Start by giving them the worst assignment possible. If that does not work then restrict them to base.

Early on in my E5 rank I smoked guys like this. They straightened up after that. Later on I was in my 1Sgt's office with my E7 being told we cannot smoke joe no longer. We have to counsel them instead and let a 45/45 be their punishment. IMO, smoking is a better way to deal with dipshits. I've seen guys that get counseling and put on 45/45 turn into bigger dipshits more often than guys that are smoked. Idk.

Whatever protocol is, that's what needs to be followed.

Would you be allowed to treat a civilian boss that way and keep your job? No, you wouldn't.

You signed a contract, honor it or gtfo

I would take the young man out and first , ask if he had a hearing problem. Then i would state that he would do the job or task and if he wanted to complain then we would address the issue once the mission is completed.

Drop kick that little puke in his temple