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

Back in the 70’s we had conex counseling for these types of situations. One trio behind the conex and your attitude was changed permently. With all the snowflakes today, maybe it’s time to brink that type of motivational practice back.

Depends on what decade. 1980's lay him the fuck out with a good punch and inform him as to the error of his ways as he is laying on the ground. Now a days I guess charge him with disrespect and start a paper trail. One punch did me a world of good 30 years ago, But times have changed.

A two week "visit" at Charlie's Chicken Farm does wonders for attitude adjustments.

Let's see here......Most American kids since the 1990s have been brought-up in homes where there is no discipline, no value systems taught, NO RESPECT, no accountability and no REAL Role Models. The school systems & media in this country then perpetuate this with all of their "flowery touchy-feely don't offend or traumatize the kid" crapolla that gives the green light for students / young people to do & say what they like without any consequences (with the exception of saying the word: "Gun or fashioning a Pop-Tart to look like a pistol" which results in everybody running around like Chicken-Littles that results in the kid getting kicked-out of school with a felony record and / or ending up in prison). PLUS.....and I know this might "offend some here".... but today's culture in the USA glamorizes and glorifies the gang-banger culture and everything that it stands at every level & facet of culture & society which also includes bashing and demonizing anyone or anything that represents Law Enforcement and Military ie "Structured Environments and Career Fields" that require being a Disciplined Professional. So in-light of what I stated...Do The Math. We now live in a country where society / culture dictates that the student is smarter than the Teacher and the recruit is more experienced than the Drill Sergeant.

In the old days it would be a wall-to-wall "counseling" session, with the high possibility that he would require a visit to the base clinic, afterwards.
But today I would still not tolerate the disrespect, or the refusal to follow orders. I would make it clear that he didn't have an option, and if he continued to refuse to obey orders he could count on an Article 15, kiss his single stripe goodbye, and I MIGHT be kind enough to let him call his future dependapotomus and tell her that he would not be able to come visit her for the next 2-4 weeks, because he's going to be on extra duty until he readjusted his attitude.

Drop him and make him the first for extra duty until he shuts up. After that, kick him to HHB where they can put him on the gate or in the kitchen permanently.

Personally, I've always like Sun Tzu's method -- first, be sure the soldier understood the order. Second, once you are sure the soldier understands, if they still refuse to obey -- summary execution. (sigh) Those were the days!

Give the Team leader the opportunity to resolve the issue, then the Squad leader. If not, it's up to the PSG to make the choice, Court Martial or watch the platoon implode. just my old timers humble opinion.

A swift throat punch should solve the problem. If the PV2 still remains recalcitrant, keep them square in the nuts...or camel toe

I would simply tell them. If you can't make it in the billion dollar military system, I will make it my mission to make sure you make it in the million dollar prison system. This is not a democracy, that's what you are defending, however...you are defending it through a dictatorship....and that would be though me and under the people I represent up the food chain...don't test the system, you'll lose