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

The sad part is here in DMH; we are required to do OT some voluntary and some not. We take turns getting mandated, and some refuse. The people who refuse a mandate get a one-day suspension. It's kind of like your ART15; the difference is after enough times resisting orders; you are no longer a mental health worker. You signed up as an essential state employee, so it's like you lied to management. No union steward will defend you either unless there are extenuating circumstances.

I had a guy on my last ship who while I was taking morning muster decided it was okay to tell me to go and f***in die. I told him to stand fast after quarters. I informed a BM2 that I needed him to help me talk to this dude. This turned into the BM2 and I tag teaming this dude yelling at him after we found out his BS reason for blatant disrespect. He recieved a day needlegunning in the sweltering heat and a consuling chit for lack of military bearing.
There is no acceptable reason for a subordinate to behave like that towards a superior. Individual circumstance plays a minor part in punishment determination in my book so long as the subordinate realizes what he/she had done is wrong and wont be tolerated. Punishment should be quick and decisive.

Not only does he get the duty he is assigned for this day, but he would be "voluntold" until he no longer complained about it or anything else within reason! Plus a little EMI (Extra military Instruction) would be added.

Oh, No, you did not just do that...well, don't like that job,...no problem...head detail for you for the rest of the month....and I want it minty fresh...

Call me old school, but I would order all others, except him and his direct superior, to fall out and commence their duties. Then I would spell it out to the supervisor that I am not very happy and that after the E-2s new duty, which the supervisor is to personally oversee is complete, that he and I will have a one on one. Then taking a page out of the old playbook, I would provide the E-2 with a toothbrush, which he will use to clean the head, latrine for you ground pounders, and it will have to pass my inspection. Of course I would explain to the E-2 that failure to do so, will result in non judicial punishment at the hands of the OinC, which for sailors is the Captain, but not a O-3, normally an O-5 or better.

What’s worked successfully for me.... upon recognition that you have a private in your ranks that believes they are privileged and special, if the Platoon is not already at a attention, call them to it. “Platoon, it appears as though Private privileged has determined that his assigned tasks are far too difficult and well above his level of intelligence to be accomplished by the same. He has decided, unilaterally, that the best COA to perform is to re-delegate this task to a more capable Soldier! Now that being said, the task is unfortunately not able to be reassigned. We will all be forced to stay here until the poor private performs his assigned task to standard. Now I have some rather pressing business to attend to just beyond this AO, I still have some information to put out, but I should be back in more than 10 minutes. I would just be over the moon if by the time I get back Private Privileged has decided to accept his assigned tasks and perform them to standard under my direct supervision so that we may all eventually go home.”

Have to tell you, this would not happen in the Marines! End of story!

I can't imagine giving a task to an E2 without supervision. I'd give the job to an E4.

I never had anything like that occur and I was a HQ PSG where the 1SG slammed all of the duds from the Line Platoons.

I would have told the kid to report to my Platoon Office. I would have read him the riot act. I'd have, then, given him the chance to repair his behavior. He would have been on the shit list for, at least, one month or until I had seen improvement in attitude.

If he didn't improve, I'd have gone the UCMJ route.

Simultaneously, I'd have told my Platoon that we have a slacking SOB and that I expect them to rectify the problem.

He'd have either improved, gone to the brig or gone AWOL because his life would have been hell until he improved his attitude and he'd have become my pet project for the duration.

There is a greater problem here than an E2 with a smart mouth. This kind of behavior undermines the effectiveness of the team, as well the authority vested in your position.

Option 1
First do not given in to the demands, move forward with passing out the information and duties for the day. Second inform the soldier they will be counseled for their disrespect and then tell them you giving them a direct order to accomplish the task to standard.

Option 2 reassign the task to some one else. Have the soldier work with you the rest of the day. 1st mission write the counseling, ensuring you directly quote the UCMJ. Have them complete task and inspect those task immediately all day long, with every fail or subpar task write a counseling. Your strength is in your ability to gain you subordinates trust and loyalty. When that is unacomplishable you have the power of the pen.