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

I was never an NCO but I can tell you that respect is due to that NCO. He earned his rank! If I was In that formation and heard that shit whether I was an NCO or not I would personally put my boot up that E-2's ass. There is no room for that kind of disrespect.

in my day his ass would have been beat

Immediately pull him or her out of formation take to office and councel. Remember, praise in public discipline in private.

Simple. I bring it to his attention infront of the formation, tell that person come see me after formation, get statements from others in formation and then council them. Take the counseling to the first seargeant and start Article 15 proceedings. Hit them in the pocket, they may think twice.

Well LTJG (Join to see)… insert combat boot into rectum. ᕙ(⇀‸↼‶)ᕗ Repeat liberally.

EMI After 20 or 30 fighting holes are dug the lips will seal. Or wall to wall counseling if you are so inclined.

In the Air Force, we work within the concept of "progressive discipline", and while that's the prescribed method in other services, I think the AF adheres pretty strictly to this doctrine. But I'm old school (been in the military since '87, prior service US Coast Guard... come from a family of military members ranging from Army, Marines, Air Force and Navy). My first instinct is to conduct some "wall-to-wall" counseling with this PFC. But not wanting to be standing tall before the man answering to abuse charges, I'll defer to verbal counseling, followed by paperwork.

Just recently I had to do something along these lines. I have a troop who does not seem to know how to manage his time or schedule. Has stood up our commander and superintendent (E-9) on one occasion, been late for training meetings, and blown off others in our unit for meetings and briefings HE coordinated. This newly-minted Staff Sergeant is a good guy and knows his stuff, but he just can't seem to manage his time or schedule wisely! My big beef with him (and I made it known to him already) is not being updated on his screw ups, so that when the Major asks me where he is I don't have a dumbfounded look on my face. I also said the next time he misses a meeting or screws up his schedule and doesn't fix it ahead of time, I'm giving him paperwork. This will be in the form of a letter of counseling (LOC), which goes into his permanent record. He knows this, and is trying hard to keep his record clean.

Would I handle PFC Dumbass the same way? I don't know. As other posters have said, this all depends on the situation. If PFC Dumbass can turn himself around during this "counseling" session, then all is well. I know many people who started off as arrogant assholes, but through proper mentorship and guidance, turned out to be stellar Airmen. I would enjoy nothing better than to help this Staff Sergeant (and other people like PFC Dumbass) become valuable and contributing members of our force!

The problem is both ways, Soldiers need guidance , but some leaders don't know how to lead, I have seen these changes spoken here but i am telling you that most of my counseling and mentoring and disciplining ids with Jr from all level. Leaders need to learn to lea and leading is not pick and choose it is leading in all. Soldier loose confident and respect where they see week leadership. Yes today's Military is changing to where one can't scream at Soldier's but there are leadership style's that make up for that and some just don't have it. SO we need to focus more on how we grow and our future leaders and remove those that ca't lead. Our Soldiers and country deserves better.

Based on the original poster, I'm assuming said E2 is a Sailor. Bring the formation to attention and cease all chatter. Hand out the rest of the assignments and have seaman schmuckatelli stand by after the division is dismissed. Keep it professional and explain adverse counseling chits and the chain of command. Tell him that the assigned task is one that you did when you were his rank and that he will follow the order or face disciplinary action. If you continue to get push back from him, have your LPO or Chief back you up.

1- Direct in-subordination- (failure to follow orders from a senior NCO despite a calm explanation by NCO to the Soldier, i.e., a Soldier disobeying a lawful order despite a calm explanation to the Soldier by the NCO. and continues to disobey AND shows disrespect to said NCO, and fails *refuses* to follow orders (a must))
2-SGT to Private- "Private, this is the United States Army. This is not your living room at home, or your old high-school. "Private, position of attention, Move! Half right face, Move! Front leaning rest position, MOVE! IN CADENCE, 1, 2, 3, ONE, 1,2,3 TWO...Do that until I get tired, Private, or the MP's will be here in 5 minutes along with Top and the CO.
3- Assign another nuetral (Specialist preferably) Soldier to ensure that the other Soldier keeps pushing until you return.
4- Return with a counseling statement that he must (or refuse) to sign
5- Allow Soldier to stop, "Position of attention, MOVE. Half left, face! AT EASE!
6 Bring Soldier and all relevant paperwork, counseling statements, complete history of Soldier to your company area and have him stand at ease and wait.
7- Inform your first line of the incident with all proof.
8- Go to Soldier and instruct him not to move until you and your First line come back to get him.
9-Ask a fellow NCO to make sure he stays there, and you Follow 'your' First line's instructions.
10 - Watch and see if he learns his lesson. Assuming this is his first offense

After work starts immediately take the soldier to the office and write Him/Her up for disrespect to a NCO and a warning of the actions that can be taken and let them know this is the one and only warning. Next he will have to see the chain of command.

You tell the E2 this is a command not a request. Unlike civilian life if he does not comply and continues to treat you with disrespect he will be in subordination and he will suffer the consequences for his actions. Ask him does he really want this to occur? Do his job and be quiet when doing it be a role model not an example of what happens to those who fail to obey orders.

give them an article 15

Reward in PUBLIC; Discipline in PRIVATE!
Within 24-72 hours of being assign to my platoon, that new SOLDIER will receive their initial counseling laying out the duties, responsibilities, unit mission and expectations. I had only 3 rules: 1. Do as you're told; 2. Do as you're told and 3. Do as you're told. If you do that, you shouldn't have any problems with me. I'm not going to ask a SOLDIER to do anything that's illegal, unethical and immoral. Before the counseling session ends, the SOLDIER will have an opportunity to voice any concerns and misunderstanding. So when a situation pop up like this, the SOLDIER know the consequences.

All sailors respond to their time and money being threatened. I can't take your money, but if you waste my time, you better believe you are paying it back in kind, even if it means I need to be a martyr. Normally I will talk to the individual one-on-one after quarters but if it is a continued behavior--which seems to be a trend with younger sailors unfortunately--the whole division gets lit up. One team, one fight. Most good sailors don't like getting punished for someone else's mistakes so they start correcting each other before it ever gets to my eyes/ears.

I don't know if they still have a place called CC or Corrective Custody, but you do not want to be sent there.
I would have his entire squad stand fast and send the rest to their work details.
I would reiterate how we rely on teamwork to get our jobs done. I would explain how a chain is as strong as its weakest link.
I would tell them we have a weak link in our squad. I cant have that in our squad, company or the Marine Corps. It's shitbirds like him that will get us killed.
I would tell the entire squad, that there is no liberty until this weak link is fixed. When you think you have it fixed, you come tell me that it's fixed. Then and only then, you can all go.
Have private shit bird doesn't straighten up, I'll do my best to get them sent to CC for a while. I guarantee he will come back a changed man.

Dismiss the platoon and have the E-2 stand fast along with his NCO/Team Leader whoever is next in this turd's chain of command. Ensure that this NCO/Team Leader fully understands what he expects from junior leaders who have others in their wing who under their guidance. Zero tolerance for disobeying a lawful order and that if it occurs again the E2 will pay the piper and understands if he doesn't like the military that his/her disobedience to appropriate and lawful orders is a quick way to leave it with BCD, Dishonorable Discharge. With that paper comes the loss of educational benefits and others (VA loans to buy a house) just to name a few. Also to this E2's immediate superior that perhaps he/she needs to rethink their leadership skills in dealing with this E2 and that you are always their for guidance. Don't give on the guy, but also don't let him buck appropriate authority either. This E2 is not there just to collect a paycheck on the duties he wants to fulfill.

I would simply ask said individual the following question: "Think about what you are going to say before you respond. Are you refusing to follow a lawful order?" If said individual says 'yes' then I simply write him up and send his/her sorry butt to Captains Mast for insubordination and failure to follow a lawful order. End of story and with no need to get upset. If said individual replies 'no' and complies with the order. No problem, after the task is satisfactorily completed I then would council him/her so that the incident is documented for appraisal purposes and to also inform the division officer of the incident. Either way the individual will get corrective action and will understand that that kind of behavior will not be tolerated for one instant. If it ever occurs again there would be no second chance...write him/her up. Discipline at sea is a must. Lives are at stake 24 hrs. a day. Sailors must learn to follow orders, like it or not. The Navy doesn't want someone to blindly follow orders either. If the individual deems the order unsafe or unlawful they should then request to talk to the division officer for clarification.

I was an NCO for 18 of my 21 years in the service. I always followed the "praise in public, criticize in private" rule. While there is a need to assert my authority, it never went any further than saying loudly enough for those in the immediate area to hear, "I'll see you in my office as soon as you are dismissed here."

Out comes the knife hand while I explain assertively that they will in fact perform the task.
If that is ineffective, I will have a new E-1 in my squad.