Posted on Oct 16, 2016
LTJG Ansi Officer
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Here's the background. You're a senior E5. Your troops are in formation and you're handing out work for the day. You hand out an assignment to a fresh E2 with less than a year in and only a few months at your command. They blatantly complain and tell you to choose someone else. You calmly tell them they will do this task and they tell you to shove it and give it to someone else. How do you react?
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SPC Infantryman
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Violence is not the way... this coming from the main question and the comments. Back in the 1900 people people probably didn't fight back or he was out numbered but I guarantee that made him no better of a person/leader than kicking him out would have words are extremely powerful maybe slick sleeve lashed out on bad leadership/hazing. True he picked the wrong way to go about it. Wall to wall counseling or woodline institutionalizations don't respect the person either
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SSG Rick Bowman
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I had a situation as an E6 where an E4 did this. I assigned the work to someone else then asked him what was going on. He told me I wasn't his boss and to f$co myself
Yes minutes later I get "invited" to see the CO.
Yep did that E4 is claiming racial discrimination. I get asked how I determined who to put on the detail. I told them I looked for the first 4 people I out ranked. The other three were not the same race as E4 did that. CO art 15d him.

Find out in private wtf? If it is attitude help him understand what he just chose for himself
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LTC Mobilization Planner
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As an O5, my first thought is that I'd turn him into an E-none. I appreciate that he might be undergoing some issue that caused him to snap, but it doesn't excuse his actions and must be corrected on the spot.
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Cpl Vic Eizenga
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Ask them if they would like to tell that to the CO. They enlisted not forced as some were back in my day. When I joined all Marines were volunteers so that meant you did every duty assigned by some one senior to you. even time in the Corps not just rank. You remind them of that and let them decide how it is going to be handled.
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SSG Michael Williams
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That's easy...I'd tear him a new ASS in formation on-the-spot! He can try that "time-out stress card" if he wants to but I guarantee he won't be in the military much longer when I finish UCMJ actions!

I never have nor never will let that happen! HOOAH!
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CPT Alfred Smiley
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Remain calm; don't let your emotional reaction get the best of you. Instruct the Squad Leader to fall out of formation with the offender and bring him to you. Have a quiet conversation with the private about proper military discipline and respect for the chain of command. Ask him if he understands. Then instruct the Squad Leader to drop the private for 50 pushups and return him to the formation.
If the problem persists, it's time for Article 15 punishment.
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SSG David Dickson
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Lock them up at "Parade rest". Get the rest of the detail out to their assigned duties. Get the PSG on the horn ASAP. Nature will take its course from there. Either "Joe" will have an epiphany moment or will be laying the groundwork for a pretty straight forward company grade conversation w/the CO & 1SG
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SGM Infantryman
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how about stop being a bitch and choose someone else
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SGT Glenn Speck
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I'd shine my boots with his ass.
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PO2 James Young
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This is, in no uncertain terms, insubordination. Definitions and possible penalties spelled out in UCMJ, Article 91. So...I'm right in line with Gunny Pepper (below).
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PO2 Frank Read
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Take them down right there...
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SGT Johnny Owens
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I experienced this once, once. The soldier was a squared away Specialist, and my friend, but he chose to disrespect me with our platoon sergeant present. I treated him like a little brother, I grabbed his collar, pulled him away from the others, and explained to him quietly what was about to happen if he didn't move out. I never had a problem from any of my soldiers afterwards. He and I remain friends, the platoon sergeant was impressed, and everything went accordingly.
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SFC James High
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I would ask the Soldier to rethink his/her comment, then I would initiate the appropriate paperwork and ensure that the Soldier was well versed in the best way to clean a latrine by hand!
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SPC Earl Semler
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It is a question of is this the 1st time this PVT did this or has he done it to others before and got away with it and he thinks he can do it to you. You have to immediately ask them if they enjoy jail time and a BCD or are they just confused on how to do their assignment. This should be done in front of all the other soldiers in the formation so they know this conduct will not be tolerated and should be asked without screaming but in a steady loud voice so everyone hears your reply. Never show how angry you are with the PVT to everyone that can be done in private counseling session.
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SSG John Morgan
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At the end of formation say E2 ___ and E2___ only stand fast.Fall out to orderly room for counseling.
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SGT Richard Moschetti
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Counseling Statement,up to Article 15
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LTJG Officer in training for Submarine Warfare qualification
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You used the avenue where you politely tell them again to do the job again. You are their direct superior. If you want to do simple counselling or maybe a physical motivator, I would say go ahead and if you want to cover your butt, ask the next person up in the chain (your boss) if it is appropriate to give said physical punishment. You could also have them go tell your superior that they refuse to do the job and that THEY should find a new person (I am assuming an E5s direct superior would either be the E7 for the troops or their Division officer [O1-O2]). I am sure that will go over well for the E2.
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SSG(P) Information Technology Specialist
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This is a great question and it gets my blood going just reading it.

As an NCO this scenario is a perfect example of needing to balance two ideas with your approach. The two ideas are "maintaining good order & discipline" and "praise in public, correct in private"

I believe the first idea overrides the second when it comes to such publicly displayed insubordination. The only way to compound their error is to be in a larger formation or commit additional offenses.
My approach would be to directly address the insubordination. They would quickly learn the current(you already f'd up) and future(if you EVER do it again!) consequences of such behavior. Counseling and further correction would follow after dismissal of the formation.

I would also take into consideration the rank and time in service of the Soldier. This could be a great learning and development opportunity for them. However that is dependent upon their attitude, their remorsefulness, and maturity.
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SSG Roger Ayscue
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Calmly tell him to come with me, take him into the Platoon Office with the Platoon Leader as a commissioned Officer there to witness and repeat the order as a Direct Order, as an NCO can give a lawful Order and not a Direct Order, when Dough head refuses both me and the Platoon Leader I start the packet, refer him for Courts Martial to the Company Commander, revoke his AIRBORNE Status and take him to JAG for a lawyer and if all goes well nail his little E-2 Ass to a cross and let him bleed to death. I will FIND things that he has fouled up on to add to the charge sheet. He will OWE the Army money when he out-processes.
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SSG Thomas Barry
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I remember back in the day when at the end of the week Top would march the company down to the gym and anyone with PP would put on the gloves and get in the ring. It worked wonders for moral and nipping problems in the bud
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