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

Jack that shit-stain up like a Chevy with a flat tire. You have to kill that crap immediately. That bum would be pushing dirt until he knocks the earth off its axis.

The problem is, our military is becoming pussyfied -
Hell, every time you turn around, someone can complain that you're picking on them and that their feelings got hurt.
The simply reality is, our military is not the military of years past. In the 80's that person would have been up on charges, and would have spent days regretting not doing assigned work.
Discipline is lacking seriously in our military units

I was a PV1 who did that but for good reason (in my mind anyway). My Squad Leader took me to the First Shirt who sat me in his office and told me to wait there for him. That was a long wait on a hot seat for a well deserved ass chewing from Top. That only took about 5 minutes which seemed like two hours but it turned my career around. I used that rather simple technique numerous times.
James Carr, 1SG Retired US Army

Give them an inch, they will take a mile. Following orders is an inherent duty. There are plenty of ways to ensure compliance. If they are doing it for a task this simple it will get worse when in stressful situations.

in my day he would have been knocked on his ass

Frag the whole squad and PT the hell out of them. Then his peers will handle it in their own special way later that day.

I never experienced it directly. Facial gestures and actions maybe. Complaining is different from disobeying a direct order. We used to joke that when the junior enlisted stopped bitching then it was time to worry. Handle as a leader whose goals were mission and welfare. Best to handle privately after formation but utilize his team or squad leader so they can be aware and learn. Never argue in formation. Praise publicly and often, counsel privately. Just be firm, fair, and treat with dignity despite his infraction. He might one day get through this phase and become a leader himself, and he will remember how it was handled and pattern his conduct accordingly so make sure you set the right example. Carry out the business of the formation and have a chat afterward. Communication is key and that includes listening but not in front of the platoon. Authoritative type leader just locks his body at attention and has a one way conversation. A less forceful one might ask his view to see if it's a legitimate reason or just because he wants to complain, and go from there. Tell his leaders and him what your decision is and let them handle it. So many tools available before resorting to paper. Besides the task assigned they could assign extra military instruction (EMI) to correct his deficiencies (ditch or sand bag detail, burn shitters, fire watch). From there it depends on his level of cooperation; everything from counselling to NJP (US Army Art. 15) but that is extreme and only if the situation dictates. Then just monitor his progress and stay informed by his leaders. If time is key, just tell him to "at ease" his mouth and that the task assigned is a direct order. Then dismiss platoon and tell leader(s) to monitor his progress. Carry on with your daily duties.

I had this happen on the flight line and you can't let a fresh troop belittle you in front of the others or the rest will start to think they can walk all over you too. I would tell him/her to meet me in the office and then tell the others to get to their assigned duties. I would then ask him with a few colorful metaphors what his/her problem is. I would then tell them that if they have a real life problem to let me know but you will not smart off to me or any NCO in front of the others ever. I would then give him/her the task again and inform the individual that if they refuse again they will get a written counseling that will be put their jacket and let them know how it can effect his/her annual report and time in the military.

So what DID you do?

You can't let a subordinate get away with this behavior no matter what. It will fuel problems with everyone because if Pvt. $hithead got away with the rest will say, "If Pvt. $hithead doesn't have to do it, neither do I." First start with a simple questioning of why the subordinate is acting this way. I think everyone deserves a second chance to make good of their actions. This may fix the problem but if it fails and he still refuses to see the error of his ways he asked for it, so give it to him. Office hours (article 15) with a recommendation to the company commander the maximum sentence plus extra duty. If you are in a combat situation though, forget the second chance. Find a way to get rid of this one immediately by whatever means you can.

Sounds like he needs proper application of FM 22-102 (See link)
http://www.ncoer.com/wall.htm

In all seriousness, you cant tolerate this otherwise he will infect the rest of your squad. Actions you can take will depend on whether you are Active Duty or Reserve component. I'm sure there are some very good suggestions in this thread, whatever you do, it must be rectified.

The E-5 in me would have whooped his you know what but the First Sergeant in me would have simply made human offer he couldn't refuse. Either do as you're told to do or simply lose your rank, money, free time and if he still doesn't move, there's nothing an MP can't take care of. As a NCO I may not be able to put my hands on you put the MP's can. Just don't let emotions get you to a place where you're the one going to jail. If you know what I mean.

I almost chocked with my morning coffee reading this post and some of the replies. Be nice and ask what happen because the little shit face might commit suicide. Lord come save our MIlitary. If we have that type of SM that they can't obey the simplest of orders what will happed when they are in commbat? Really, the lets ask what's going on does not apply here. This is insubordination. I would have his Supervisors impart discipline and after all was said and done, investigate onto why the little shitface acted like he owned the world. Hell if I see a SGT shitting flowers and giving out hugs for insubordination to a wet behind the ear E2, I would get that platoon leader and platoon SGT and ensure that all in that platoon know how to follow lawful orders. I would not want that type of cancer infecting my over platoons. I would make it my 1SG priority to ensure training on the correct way to follow lawful orders, adding a smiggen of of Army love and plenty of PT rewards were followed all around. Just as a vaccination to the rest of my platoons. I refuse to take pancies to be around Afhaganis and go to the land of the at-any-minute-there-might-be-a-crazy-trying-to-kill-us that would cause the lives of ANY of my Soldier. And that is how I see it. In the mean time I would start the paperwork on his Art 15 and have it in handy just in case he tries the I have been mistreated shit..... I'll get together with Jag to see how to get that E2 out before that cancer spreads on my other Soldiers if he is a think-headed SOB. I must get a fresh cup-O-coffee!

Guy has no business questioning an E5

In the old Army, the Nco would invite the trooper out back and beat some sense into him.

Address troops " well ladies PFC Smart Ass thinks this assignment is below him so all of you maggots will assist him in his assignment, followed by a full gear 5 mile stroll in thru the woods, then we'll all settle down for a nice personnel and barracks inspection. If were finished with that in time you can all eat lunch. Then we'll ask PFC smart ass how he would like to spend his afternoon?

Pushups until "I" get tired

My immediate reaction would be to de-escalate the situation posthaste. Dismiss the E2 from formation and instruct him/her to wait in a secluded office or other location - seclusion offers opportunity for introspection - until I'm ready to deliver verbal and/or written counseling/corrective action.

At this point, I've achieved my initial objective: to manage my anxiety and the counselee's until he/she has internalized the infraction. This is where a leader's knowledge of motivation and human behavior is imperative.

Depending on the MOS/AFSC (grunt or POG (persons other than grunts)) - and I've been both - and the personality of the counselee, my next objective is to correct the smart-mouthing without jeopardizing the counselee's future potential to use real courage, my ultimate counseling objective.

My reaction can be summed up with two sayings: 1) "Don't eat your young", and 2) "Don't throw out the baby with the bathwater." I hope this information is helpful.

This is a challenge for all NCOs. The first question you need to ask yourself is, "how did I lose control? " As a leader you need to set the example, emit confidence and never allow your men to talk back. I usually would make an example of him on the spot. Then afterwards, I will counsel him. He may have a problem that is eating him, but if he has a hint of defiance during this I would either recommend him for an article 15 or smoke him until he vomits (officially). In reality, I always maintained a policy of "woodline", so if he had a problem with me personally, we would fight it out. The truth is that if you are doing your job right, your guy's would look at your team/squad/platoon as a family and you are the head of that family. Your guys should have shut him up if you guys are being lead properly.

Always pull the Soldier aside let them state there case and counsel the E2, about how respect is honored and the job still has to be completed by that Soldier. After the mission is complete and he still has a issue we can take it up with next higher chain in the Soldiers Command