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

Squad Atention, half right face...Private Snuffy drop...I will not stand for insubordination period. You will execute my orders and never question my decisions period. Any questions??? Private Snuffy recover. Squad half left face. Fall out... Private Snuffy at ease, this kind of negative attitude will not be tolerated, further disrespect can and will be grounds for an Article-15. Now do as I say! Dismiss...

I was an E-6 in an Army where most Private’s were there because they were drafted, if you let them get under your skin they owned you. Remove him from your formation and have him stand at ease facing a wall in a corner where he has to turn around to see anything. Move your formation far enough away that he can’t hear wahat you are saying. Go about your duty, check on him occasionally. Rinse, repeat

The corps is different from when I was in, now I would start the paperwork to modify their behavior. If that doesn't work soon, they will be a civilian flipping burgers wishing they would have made a different decision.

I’m reading this question and I can’t think of any response. In my time in the military, beginning in 1963, the Army, that would have been unthinkable. I have a question, is this common behavior or uncommon? Quality of recruits, quality of NCOs or other superiors? I spent three years as an AF basic training instructor, the mid to late 80’s. From minute one the trainees understood this was the USAF and not a debating society.

You don't want to know...
They would be in for "extra duty" until they couldn't walk & then some diagnostic PT.

I can see every a volunteer for every crap detail coming down the pike. Possible restriction, and escalating punishment for repeat offences.

I tell them "SA/FA, etc. Smith, remain after the Division is dismissed and we will talk about this." I would then have a discussion with the wayward Seaman/Fireman about who assigns work and how it is not a choice. If the E-2 does not know HOW to accomplish the task assigned, that is one thing, we can assign a qualified person to train them and sign them off as appropriate (which will also go back to the assignment in the first place, ensure you assign qualified people to tasks). If they are trained and qualified to the task notify them that they have finite time to complete it and liberty call does not commence until task completion. I always stayed after liberty call with an individual that drug their feet if such happened. They usually got the hint that they WERE going to do the work assigned, and that I wasn't going to let them go on liberty until they did. I had this happen several times with an E-4 when I was an E-6.

I welcome great, well-thought-out questions and I welcome curiosity, but I will not tolerate smart mouths in the middle of my formations, as a leader.

Generally, smart mouths are those soldiers who want to establish their knowledge, abilities and ideas ahead of others. However, there is a proper time and place for everything; there is an established chain of communication to bring forward brilliance and well-constructed ideas and, this established line of communication doesn't begin by being a smart mouth in my formations. This must be expressed without delay to the Team/Section/Squad leaders and platoon sergeants in the presence of the 1SG. Set the rules right from the outset.

I had a situation like this one. The E2 is smart mouthing for sure. First drop and give me 20 push ups. Then after all the others are dismissed I took that E2 to my office and asked them why they felt they had the right to refuse the assignment. The E2 said something like I can't do that work as i have not been trained. I said go with this other soldier and he will train you. After training and you refuse again you will be doing extra duty which you do now want to do. Now go and do the work.

First been there and handled it. Now how I handled it. As a senior SERGEANT this becomes a question of respect not just disobedience and MUST be corrected. My first words in front of my soldiers is “ what the f#?! Is your major malfunction private?” This will demonstrate my authority in front of the soldiers and give him a chance to correct himself in front of everyone. Now some people do not get the hint. That’s when I send everyone else to do the assigned jobs. Then I will lock him up at parade rest and I will explain what is about to happen. He can either give me a reasonable explanation, receive corrective training, or we can write it down and begin the process to be out of the army. Now I have gotten responses where I was in the wrong and he did have a legitimate reason then it is your best judgment. I normally did not pursue the matter and after explaining how we were both in the wrong and how to handle this situation in the future we moved on. That’s wait till everyone else leaves and catch me after and explain the issue. This earns respect from everyone because you look fair and impartial. If on the other hand the reason is BS well we will decide on which corrective training. Now I explain that if I smoke him this will not allow further punishment but it is going to get very uncomfortable or he can continue to be disrespectful and in that case the army doesn’t need him and I will start the process to get him involuntarily separated from the military. Explain the process. Most of them choose smoking. At a minimum this will take an hour. I carried a tank ball bearing for such times. After I was done most could not left their arms past shoulder height, their legs were like noodles, and there were sweat stains on the ground. It has to last and it has to be enough so when he talks about it others do not want to do the same. Remember to strive to be fair and impartial, do not allow it to get personal stay come and in control. Do not raise your voice. I hope this helps.