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

I would say it is time for a blanket party. We are trained as a team ,one unit if one team member fails we all do. Especially in combat it could cost the life one of your team members.

I would lay some "leadership" on him.

As a new E4 and am wanting to become an NCO in the future, I would ask him to stay behind after formation and remind him that we all as soldiers have jobs to do, these jobs help the machine run, if one cog refuses to spin then the machine comes to a standstill. Of course the dirtiest of jobs aren't really desired but they must be done in order for missions to be completed. Its for the greater good of the team. Now if the soldier had continued to refuse? Then of course corrective action must be taken and a DA 4856 must be written out. This kind of behavior especially in front of a Platoon is completely unacceptable. The punishment should fit the crime. I would have him write a 5 thousand word essay on disrespecting an NCO.

I was in the Military 69 Era, Totally different Today

When I was inTheMilitary, things where totally different. There was wall to wall consultation. Also a Matter of Respect

I would call them into my area for a private conversation and they would do what I told them to do. And they also would do extra duty on lybo days for their disrespect. And then if they continue they would get NJP.

It is hard for me to answer this question, in my military career I never had anyone disrespect me or disobey my instructions, but IF it would happen, I would take the individual aside and council him on his lack of judgement and give him a chance to correct his mistake. If he still failed to act I would request NJP charges be filed on him for Disobedience of a lawful order issued by a NCO. You have to take action immediately. Failure to take action in your part will affect the moral and discipline of your unit. You have to show your troops that in peace or combat you are incharge and your orders no matter how insignificant they may seem to you.

KP for a week. and no liberty.

Find the reasoning for the insubordination and evaluate. If the reasoning is flawed then explain and smoke his ass and counsel him. If the insubordination continues cause of his butt being hurt, hurt his pocket with a Article 15. He then will fall in line.

Who joins the Military and mouths off to a Superior?? An idiot son of an asshole!? Im dumbfounded how PFC dipshit thought this was a viable remark without any physical repercussions.

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.