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

First of all he does not speak without permission. Then you break your foot off so far up his rear until it is shining from toe to hill. Remember you are in charge and if you can not do the job there are quite a few waiting for the chance. Duty assignments are not a debate. We are not here to be their budy. We are here to train and that means learning how to get the job done. You command respect from your troops because you have the rank. You also command respect because the 1stSGT is going to be in your behind if you do not get the job done.

In my day it would ensured a boot in his ass.

You leave everyone in formation and tell the fresh E2 to step out and remind him what boot camp was like. Have him do pushups or any exercise of your choice until he realizes that you were not asking him to complete the tasks, you were ordering him.

First off i dont calmly tell them anything a second time. That is where you are going wrong by allowimg this punk to get to the point where they think they can talk to any NCO in a manner that their opinion counts. You obviously are the problem because this private thinks its ok to talk to you in that manner.

I would work that smart mouth out of him on every shit detail I could give him. That's from an old soldier and sailor

this happened when I was in basic, we all recieved restriction to barracks for two weeks, BLANKET PArTY @1a.m. NO MORE problems

Article 15, confined to quarters for a month. Sorry son, we're gonna make an example out of you.

First, I would drop the private to the front lean and rest.
Second, I would note the team leader to stay.
Third, I would start having the private do pushups while I explain the situation to the team leader.
Fourth, I would instruct the team leader as to what the private needs to do. And if the private does not do it to my satisfaction, then the team leader will be the one doing it.
I would make sure both know beyond a shadow of a doubt that what ever I say in formation are orders and not suggestions.
Finally, I would inspect that the job was completed to my satisfaction. Any back talk and I would ask my Platoon Sgt for an Article 15 hearing against the private with the expected penalty to be severe but be suspended unless the private makes demands again.

He or she would not survive the battlefield.

So Is he Dipshit or Shitbird?

I this case, I agree with Gunny. However, I would have had the entire platoon stand fast (mission need to be done would determine this) In the Army, everyone would be disciplined for the actions and flapping of the trap of PV2 Shitbird. Then I would expect that the others in the platoon would show PV2 Shitbird just how much they appreciated his actions later that evening. A team knows how to take care of Shitbirds.

My favorite leadership tool is to augment them off to the worst assignment I can find.

I had a similar situation happen when I was a Cpl deployed... They were all at ease while I passed out days orders, a new PFC fresh in country and mouthed off and before I could even react one of my senior LCpl's looked at me and said "Don't worry Cpl, we'll handle it.", later in the day I was told he tripped off a curb carrying water bottles, I didn't ask questions and the fresh PFC didn't speak out of line once over the next 7 months.

One thing I always did as a Cpl while we were deployed is I took almost all the shit jobs (if I had to assign one to the troops they already knew I had done it half a dozen times and I would never assign them a task I hadn't already done myself), I'd work 3x 12 hour shifts in a row if one of my guys was sick instead of retasking someone else (my shift, their shift, and my shift again). If guard duty needed handled, I handled it. I was always told I looked like the walking dead, and my troops were always well rested. I took the brunt of the shit, and everyone came home alive. I even took care of my SNCO's, CWO's, an O's the same way, its just how I was. Especially when deployed.

Moral of the story, you take care of your troops, and they will take care of you... If you did your job as an NCO correctly, and PFC Shitbag mouths off, your troops will correct the problem for you quick, fast, and in a hurry.

Insubordination is an Article 15 offense. If you don't want to comply get out and find a civilian job.

My way or the high way

Extra duty

Article 15.. at the least...basic training.. remove from duty... in a combat scenerio...kick his ass

Believe your response was needed however have a sit down to review the matter and why such a non-military attitude. Also, E2 may not be adjusting to the military

All I know is that as an E-3 POG in the Army if I had done that my ass would still be in the front-leaning rest position. I had my insubordinate moments, I think we all do, but nothing ever that blatant.