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

That has to be dealt with FAST!!! I would get in that private's face, and blatantly tell that punk the directive will be followed, otherwise, it's an A-15 for disrespecting an NCO.

Introduce him/her to the ballpoint....no need for violence those times are over. Soon we will all understand we are all replaceable. The streets have many places for individuals like this....counsel, retrain move-on.

Wow this one really depends on the time and place.
In the good old day's ( Come into my office and we will talk, Shit bird comes out with a bleeding lip and limping) I miss those day's.
Some troops just are have a I Am stupid day and talking to them will fix it.
I know I have had them myself, But never told my boss to stick or get someone elce to do it.
These day for the most part you have to find out why they are acting like that,Babby them.
Then give them corrective traing that does not do shit.
Then It is Counseling statement's and sending them to Mentail Health. In order to make sure they are o.k. to be keep in the Military. See if is O.K. to get ride of them with a Chapter for being a Turd of a Mental health Discharge and get all the V.A. Benefits.
Welcome to the Military of Bill Clinton and Obama.

“Front lean and Rest, in cadence- exercise.”

His ass would be grass. I don't care what his problems were. There are 60-70 other men who also have problems and contain them or seek counseling. At EVERY boot graduation, MCRD SDiego, we always had at least one set of parents who would thank us for doing in a few months they had tried to do in 17-20 years. If he didn't shape up, he'd ship out. I didn't have, and still don't have, time for shitbirds to shirk their duties and responsibilities. Either grow up or get out of the way of men. Semper Fi DI USMC 1958-59. My tolerance level grows shorter as I get older and I'm an active 83 with more years to come.

After the orders are given, the senior E5 asks, "are there any bitches?" What would you do? While every laughs off the joke. There is a legitimate question.

After the orders are given, the senior E5 asks, "are there any bitches?" What would you do? While every laughs off the joke. There is a legitimate question.

I’m a Vietnam vet and I think all you military morons don’t deserve any respect your all a bunch of fucking idiots

Never had that happen we were pretty loose on AF Flightline roll cams, but if it did to me, i would have worked his ass to death. AF Flightlines are big areas , get PT lugging around heavy tool boxes

According to the rules of Sun-zu if this was wartime the dipshit would’ve been shot no ifs,ands or buts which is something that if I had to do I would do I’m sorry you put on a military uniform and you stood in front of the flag and said “I do” in the fine print it says that you agree to get screwed unconditionally for X amt of years so own up to it

In the modern Army you probably should kiss his ass.

This is clearly a case of insubordination and could be handled with an article 15. However, I would prefer what our Platoon Sergeants did when they encountered a smart mouth and that to have them drop and do 50 push ups. If they refused, then follow up with the insubordination with the commanding officer.
This is necessary because unity is necessary in a unit.
My basic was pure hell as we ran everywhere, did 10 push ups, chin ups and sit ups before every meal and then told the mess hall was not a recreation area and to move out if we casually ate. Any disruption meant a two mile run. Did it work? Yes, it did and I was prepared for the Tet Offensive in Viet Nam. My Platoon Sergeant was still at Fort Leonard Wood when I returned from Viet Nam and I went there and personally thanked him for preparing us for combat.

In the 1968 USAF, this confused young man would be standing in front of the 1st Sgt. He would be advised of Article 134, Relieved of Duty, assigned to a Work Detail pending Article 15 action by his Commander and possible Discharge. The War in Vietnam was building and the Draft still existed for individuals Discharged from the USAF.

I would tell him that he is currently holding the last rank insignia that points up he will hold in his career and further counsel him/her on the error of their ways. A hard put down immediately executed at the moment beats an official paper trail that often holds no corrective action or an opportunity to repair the damage without making it a big thing. The second offense would be the deserved smoke and scunion.

Last time that happen, the young man and I had a talk with the first sgt. After our little talk the young man knew what to do or L.B.J. would be his next address of residence. He busted his ass and made a good E-4 team leader.

I am fairly certain that my initial response would be to smile broadly and say "Oh, this is going to be fun!"

If the others in the squad liked him, it is likely that their assholes would tighten up quite a bit just hearing that phrase. If they didn't like him, they would probably be working hard to stifle a laugh.

There are always simple solutions to the first time such a thing happens. Extra work while all of his peers coach him and cheer him on generally is something troops don't want to repeat.

Oddly, I used to have other sergeants drop by and ask me for extra detail
suggestions when it came to such things because apparently I was a devious cold hearted son-of-a-bitch with a certain streak of evil. Perhaps because I was already 25 years old when I enlisted and had seen a lot of the business world where there are some truly cold hearted people.

Once, when the First Sergeant at my last duty station (Ft. Hood) saw me coming with a young troop, he figured out what was coming and decided to play along. It started with "Good morning Top! Guess what Private So-and-So gets to do today?" He said "Something really fun I'll bet! and he acted really excited when I told him what I had in mind for the wayward soldier. So happy for him.

I think though, that sitting around with a few E4s discussing such onerous tasks generally meant that the soldiers under their care would eventually hear about it and I seldom had issues. But then again, I was known as being the best sergeant to work with if you wanted to pass the promotion boards or win Soldier of the Month. I had a knack for getting people ready. Of all the things I miss about my Army days, working with younger troops to help them succeed is probably what I miss most.

So, as others have said, the troublemaker might just end up being your best troop if handled correctly.

If the assignment is a lawful order this breach of discipline cannot be tolerated otherwise the moral, cohesion and basic chain of command will be broken rendering the unit under your command unfit to carry out any mission, tactical or otherwise.
You as an NCO or officer must be able to issue orders that you k ow will be carried out in other words Military discipline and structure is not open to debate and or discussion by the soldiers.

That fucker just got double duty and work assignments....got anything else to say?

That fucker just got double duty and work assignments...Period. Got anything else to say?

Private meeting with the individual and the First Sergeant. If the subject in question shows any hint of insubordination at this meeting, he would feel the full force of the UCMJ to include an Article 15. Would further inform this individual if he/she ever exhibited this behavior again. I would begin immediate processing for a general discharge.