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

I dunno, throw a blanket party?

There was a fellow Specialist who told an E-5 to F off. That Sgt. didn't mess around and had that Specialist arrested, charged, convicted, and sent to Mannheim for about a month.

I've been that E-5, in just about that same situation. In my time, we couldn't do what NCOs in the recent past could do. We did have options. You can report for extra duty until your mind is right, or you can take an Article 15 for failure to obey an order and disrespect...which may involve a short vacation at CCF. I was merciful enough to explain these options in a voice loud and forceful enough to be convincing, strongly suggesting option A.

Wait until duty is done & beat the crap out of him, next time he will know you mean business, if not black bag him!

Give his/her ass an article 15 and let the higher ups determine if it is necessary. Ours is to do and not ask why.

Article 15 and let the officers determine if it is some kind of emotional/health issue. Ours is to do and not ask why.

When I heard about such an attitude, and I knew about everything going on as Dept Head, I would have a very short private quiet conversation in my stateroom. "You work for me. You will do what you are told when you are told to do it, correctly. You're dismissed." Life aboard a 378ft ship can be fun or quite miserable. JO's stick together and support the Chief's lounge. Misery will quickly be applied.

I am too well aware that there have been significant changes to military regulations but I was not aware that there had been a change to following orders, respect, etc? Yet this not the first time this year issues like this have been posted here. There is a reason why you have to keep your mouth shut and follow orders in the military, for example it could save your life. I fail to understand where this lack of respect is coming from. If troops do not want to comply with military regulations they need to be discharged. Further, after the election, I am hoping to see an improvement in benefits offered to troops, for example, during Vietnam we were given $45K for our college education and over the years that benefit has been significantly cut when it should have been increased given the significantly higher cost of a college degree. I have already discussed this issue with my senator. In the 1960's/70's $45K would pay for a Bachelor's degree at every school excluding Ivy League. Today, it won't pay for 2 years and that is no motivation for troops to join. There do need to be changes to current military regulations to attract a quality soldier and after this election we should be able to make those improvements.

Make sure his immediate supervisor is aware of problem them assign him the task he "Will be accomplishing and in a timely respectable manner" also indoctrinate him in the customs, regulations, respect as well as how he is to carry on. and what is going to happen if he doesn't comply.

Good question in today's military. I recall from years past a story passed on to me from a career Army soldier....rose to E8 Master SGT who retired out as a Captain. As a Pvt. he once grumbled about something he was directed to do from a Corporal. He told me the Corporal threw a punch that sent him horizontal, seeing stars. That was discipline in back in the day and it worked.

Wall-to-wall counseling is appropriate, yet can backfire in intended outcome. Best is to talk with the young butterfly wings alone to understand how he feels and thinks, because some privates erroneously assume that their smart ass attitude will help them be noticed. It is our responsibility as leaders to assure the butterflies that they are an integral part of our animal kingdom and that their achievements will speak louder than their words or inappropriate behavior. If the private accepts this verbal counseling as guidance to succeed then, no further action will be needed. However, if the matter continues then, make the verbal counseling a written warning that such inappropriate behavior will result in UCMJ action. I personally doubt the matter will be treated without need of written counseling. I believe in process and, not jump to any extreme on the outset.

Our E2 in question is in serious need of correction and I would not hesitate to do the correction, sadly I then would be in trouble!! When I was an E2 there was no leeway in regards to following an order, you either complied or you received an Article 15 and probably booted out of the Army!

Start a paper trail. First time a verbal warning as the pattern hasn't been set yet. Second time a letter of counseling in this individual's file. Third time brings action through the first sergeant, fourth time from squadron commander. If it goes past the squadron level that individual's career will be VERY short.

Time to get in his face and let him know in no uncertain terms that he was given an order and he will comply period and now. Anymore back talk and we start with him getting an AR-15, restricted to barracks, extra duty and lose of some money AND HE WILL Follow orders I gave him NOW.

Read the room. Sometimes it's a chance to build relationships with your formation. If not...making everyone else in formation push while he stands there chillin is always a good way for the herd to fix their own.

You need to establish your authority, given to you, by your rank and position. If a New Troop/Sailor/Marine/Airman/ Space cadet.. whatever, you need to stop that behavior at once. If being polite / respectful will not work, then adjust your leadership style.
If that individual Tells you to "shove it" .. you need to destroy that individual. Through either Corrective training/ Administrative Actions/ or any other means you have t your disposal.

Also if you are unable or unwilling to perform as a Leader, then maybe some self reflection is needed. Ask yourself.. Do you have what it takes to LEAD? If Yes, then what do you need to do to step up. If the answer is NO, then admit it , and remove yourself from that Leadership position

This is tough, back in 1975 or so you’d be privately disciplined, but in this day that would be a career ender. First thing is the company Gunny needs to know your dealing with a shithead, and you need his advice and support. I’d take his entire squad and continue to give them the shittiest of details, I’d make them suffer as a group and let them correct the Private’s attitude. It is a team game after all and your only as strong as your weakest link. I’d firmly explain that to them and have them thank Private Shithead. I might even article 15 him on a second in fracture, and I’d take his stripe, his money and restrict him to quarters. This is the kind of problem guy, that doesn’t carry enough water on a ruck because it’s heavy, his rifle looks like shit as would his magazines. He probably falls out of runs and is in general a slacker. If it gets to a 15, the Company Gunny takes over making him miserable to the best of his ability. If he’s still a problem you muster his ass out and send him home with a General. There’s no time to suffer fools, be gone.

I had a similar experience. I first ask, then demand and finally had to give a Direct Lawful Order. The Soldier still refused to do the task. So I proceeded to file charges against the individual for Disobeying a Lawful Order. I forget the UCMJ Article but after I filed the charges the individual ran to the 1st SGT who inturned drop the charges. I don't know what to took place between the individual, 1st SGT and the Commander to this day and it's been 24 years ago. So I went and submitted my retirement papers and retired. If I wasn't retireable yet, I would have requested a transfer. Nothing but a little snot nose twrap still tied to his mother's apron strings. I'm done and no time for this garbage. In your case you have an extra charge as well. Being disrespectful. PO1 George Martin! Get the manual on Court Martials. They are service specificate. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manual_for_Courts-Martial

Maybe it was a brain fart that just occurred, dismissing the squad, you pull the young man out of formation, you have him follow you away from any one watching or listening and have a few choice words, find out why the outburst and go from, it could be bad news from home, a girlfriend, could be something so small that this person was in over his head, and took it out on you, not knowing what just took place and have him apologize and give him a stern warning not to do it again, next time it won't be a stern warning, but could go on his military file, give the guy a break and watch him closely, keep tabs on that person you never know what's bothering him

I stopped reading at the second sentence “You’re a senior E5”. WTH does that mean? You got passed over on the E6 board or never got recommend? A Command Buck Sergeant CBS?