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

I am thankful that I am retired. Ask my Soldiers back in the day how "BuckShot" would have responded. I once had a Soldier who would not clean his room. I had him take everything out of his room to include the furniture and set it up outside just like it was set up in the room. That is where he lived for the next 48 hours. After proper guidence he turned out to be one hell of a Soldier. We served three tours of Iraq together. You can't discipline Soldiers like that in today's army.

Make them drop and give me 20 pushups. My 1SG in Germany did that to an E6 because the E6 had refused to remove his headgear as ask by myself, an E3 sitting on the CQ desk answering the phone during the day.

Write all of them up on an Article 15 and let the CO duck walk their sorry asses for a month!

Advise the rest of the platoon this behavior doesn't stand and will be handled after formation. After formation, call PV2 Shitbird and his team leader in the back. Tell him whatever attitude he has ends today. Tell his team leader to take care of the situation and advise the TL if he fails to do so and it happens again, not only will the private suffer but his whole team will suffer with him. They will square him away pretty quick.

As a Senior NCO, I lived by the rule of praising in public, disciplining in private except in one situation, when my authority was challenged by a subordinate. In this situation, you must engage the individual directly, without hesitation and in a stern and candid manner that ensures no other subordinate will try you. My response: PVT, Army Command Policy states, "All persons in the military service are required to strictly obey and promptly execute the legal orders of their lawful
seniors." and if they don't they are subject UCMJ Article 92: Failure to Obey Order or Regulation. As your senior, this is my lawful order. You will execute that order or I will take your insubordination to the next level. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!

The assignment has been made. When the assignment is scheduled and the balking E-2 does not appear, then he or she has abandoned post and is subject to the UCMJ in the strongest sense. The mere fact that the E-2 has suddenly disappeared from the unit for one or two weeks on restricted duty while the matter can be settled by internal mediation in the favor of the command and all those who thought or believed he or she got away with it. The fact that the E-2 suddenly reappears with a whole new perspective on military courtesy with full pay and allowances restored does send a strong message to all who may or may have heard rumors of the exchange. The key is not to make an issue out of it at the time. This also sends a silent message to the command that when assignments have been made, there will be no changes or exceptions. "Nuff said. . . .

I had this happen to me in Basic Training. The Flight Leader (E3 ,AF) told us to fall in, I was moving fast as I got beside the FL he screamed right in my right in my ear. I called him a Brainy AHole I received an Article 15 for my action. He got away with his stupidity. To this day the hearing in my left ear is very limited even with hearing aids.

Get down and give me 50. And then come back with the right answer

I was only a Cpl. E-4 U.S.M.C 1960-'64. I would have brought him up for Office Hours! That kind of behavior was NOT tolerated when I was in!

I kind of did this when I was still wet behind the ears. My first day in the division on my first ship the Chief asked who had the working party the day before and then proceeded to call out the names for those that days working party which included me. I thought that was a good process. Next day at quarters the CPO again was making working party assignments and the last name he called was mine. I raised my hand and said I had been on the w/p the day before. The Chief said 'you don't like working parties? See me after quarters'. I went to him after being dismissed and he told me to report to the mess decks master at arms for a 3 month tour mess cooking (kp duty). I did learn my lesson.
When I became a leading petty officer I remembered that lesson (I had never repeated that mistake) and when confronted with the same attitude I admit to having rode guys pretty hard till they conformed. I had an E3 that was a very 'intimidating' guy who kept our head clean. I admit to sending 'problem children' to work in the head which always seemed to have good results. That was the 70's however and today I suspect we both would be in the brig but it worked.

Just as you said. Keep the Pvt and Team leader back and dismiss the rest. Then you explain the Pvt shitbrain how this works. If he continues to mouth off, you issue him a reprimand, follows by additional details plus the one he was given. When he is through you bring him in and sit his ass down and explain the Proper way to address his supervisor in the event he has a complaint or a problem. Depending on his response, you tell him to hit the hay.
Pvt shitbrain got through basic somehow so he understands what it is like being in the military. He isn’t in High School now and he isn’t going to get credit recovery, or make up seat time, or in-School suspension. Those days are through and I’m sorry as hell his high school and family didn’t prepare him for the job he voluntarily took.

Well son you are in a heap of trouble. Insubordination gets you an all expense trip to the brig.

Again, a subject of what to do with a sever dipshit in your unit? Another take would be to send Pvt/Amn Dipshit with a Letter of Reprimand to see the executive officer with a recomendation for non judical punishment. If the officer has seen enough paper work on pvt/airman dipshit, he must approve an Article 15 hearing. All the evidence of disrespect to superiors, not obeying orders must be presented. When sentence is passed, dipshit must go to jail. Then his time is served, show him the gate out under escort, usually with two very large security personnel. In generall, get rid of the bad trash if it won't adhere to the military way.

The PV2 will be assigned that duty plus any extra duty that needs to be done such as scrubbing toilets, garbage cans and any other nasty duty I can imagine for the next week. They will perform them without complaint immediately following a counseling statement where I explain that failure to perform said tasks will result in referral for a company grade Article 15 for failure to obey orders.

you tell them is is a lawful order. If they refuse, you take it up with the PLT SGT or better yet 1SG. Failing that, well the CO for Article 15. Use the chain of command 1st. the 1SG has much more experience and can handle it without resorting to UCMJ. But if they insist on being dirtballs, oh well.

I call them into my office and have a heart to heart....Someone who does this there is an obvious reason for this behavior. I also know that I could have made an example out of them by humiliation in front of other's and they might not do the same...but I feel this is not the answer. This could be a cry for help. But counseling is in order for sure.

Looks like Kp and no furloughs until he she shapes up.

Depends on the nature of the situation. Did the PV2 say something that was taken out of context by the leader - was it meant to be disrespectful or distasteful? Has the PV2 recently experienced an emotional trauma? Are there any issues of the PV2 being harassed, intimidated, bullied, or hazed by the squad or platoon when leaders are not around... or is a leader abusing the PV2? Does the PV2 have external problems going on that need to be factored into equation... alcohol abuse, drug use, family stress, marital problems, new baby on the way or already here, sleep disorders, adjusting to new medications that cause a chemical imbalance, hormonal imbalance, hypoglycemic issues, thyroid problems, blood pressure problems???

We are all human, and true leaders in the military learn how not to respond emotionally or erratically in response to a subordinate losing control of their emotions, composure and professional demeanor.

As leaders we are given the charge to lead, discipline, and train - but we are also given the responsibility to care for our troops and their families, and to investigate sitautions by asking the 5Ws and How? If we only react instead of being proactive, seeking answers by asking questions to investigate the real cause of the problem, and if we are too lazy to use all the support and resources we have at our disposal - then we are not being effective - because we are not being a solution - rather we are simply adding to the problem. I always believe by praising in public and admonishing in private. My ego was never bigger than my rank or position, and I could handle a PV2 losing themselves for a moment without it affecting me or my ability to maintain command and control.

So, find out what the real situation is, find out which leader within the CoC the PV2 is willing to speak with - to include the Chaplain, and work on what the real issues are. If the PV2 still needs to pay for it - then make it fair... in time this PV2 could one day be the next SMA or 4 star General ---- would we want that person to be the kind of leader I just spoke about as they rose through the ranks, or a hard-ass who could care less amd is abusive and slips through the ranks becoming a toxic leader like we have experienced in abundance over the past 20+ years in our ranks? Remember, we are not leading Privates, we are training Leaders! Give this PV2 a mission or area od responsibility (within an area they have an interest to excel) - assign them a mentor, and have them become accountable to more than just himself - or herself.

Lastly, counsel every 30 days on paper - setting attainable daily goals, weekly objectives, and monthly expectations - and find something to praise them for each day and at the end of each week - and if they come up short on something, take time to teach, coach and train them (if not you, then your subordinate leaders). Good luck!

P.S. - I was had a PV2 who was underage drinking and crashed his car off of a 7000 foot mountain... kid lost his brand new Mustang and almost lost his life. I could have discharged him... that's the easy thing to do. He was a good Soldier most of the time (a knucklehead other times - but that comes with age). After his rehab from surgeries and Article 15 punishment + 90 days confinement with extra duty (again after full physical rehab)... I didn't judge the PV2 harshly and I gave him room and time to bounce back. I encouraged my subordinate leaders to mentor, coach and train him. This kid ended up saving the lives of 2 kids from a burning apartment fire a year later, promoted to Sergeant 3 years later, performed flawlessly in combat, and then later was accepted into the Green to Gold program, where he went on to earn his degree and commission. Now he leads troops! Just something to think about as you consider your options.

Follow the guidelines set forth in FM 22-102 following formation.

In my day we would put that idiot in the mickey mouse gang, and if that didnot change his attitude then muster his ass out with a bad conduct discharge. And that would happen in just 2 days time.