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

The Classic...drop and give me 50...pushup's. If he is defiant, he probably want's out of the military. After a stay in a military lock up...boot him out.

Believe me, if that was to happen in my Days. Shitbird PFC... would have been begging me for mercy.. in my Days as a Drill Sargeant there was no problem giving this PFC a really good ass crying day. He would have been asking God for mercy.

Knowing what kind of soldier this is turning out to, to me, I would give this E2 an article 15. Let some punishment sink in. I doubt "drop and give me 20" would have any effect. so, give an article 15. Take away weekend pass. Remove the soldier from things they want to do, and show them what it means to act out.

Not much else, in my opinion, you can do. If they tell you to shove it from a work detail, they will do the same with exercise and everything else. They have no respect for you or anyone else. The article 15 will put them in a place to mandatorily comply, or have worse issues.

On the flip side, there should be consideration to if the soldier is having issues you don't know about (like death in family, girlfriend leaving.. something to set them off). Has this soldier exhibited this behavior before? is this new or common of this soldier??? All things considered... this is the best I can think to say. I have not seen regulations since 2000. I was never above the rank of E2 myself. I do not know more than I DO know. SO, for those that know more.. please forgive me if my answer is not up to par.

It's not a democracy. PT his ass on the spot in front of the formation. Then dismiss the formation accept for the idiot in the push up position and quietly explain to him you will PT his ass every chance you get until he complies. Then ask him if everything is ok with him.

Let them know that this is not up for discussion. Write counseling and may recommend for summarize Art 15

Sounds like a go time to let him experience wall to wall counseling.

First, disrespect in the ranks is not tolerated.
I would take him aside, and offer him a chance to correct his attitude. If that didn't work, I would put him back in formation and make an example of him. If he still didn't correct his attitude, I would hand him to the Platoon Sergeant. If that is the position I am holding at that time, it would go to the 1SG.
The determination of an Article 15 or chapter would be up to the command.

Do everything you can to make him hate you, the unit and the Army. He'll wise up and start licking boots eventually.

I would discipline them. As an E-4 I was assigned to duty aboard an Aircraft Carrier. We were in port and had received a number of big rigs to unload to be placed aboard the ship by a crane. It required putting all the crates and boxes on pallets. I had a total nine men, E-2s and E-3s. I told them what we were going to do and how. I said let's get it done. One E-3 asked me where I would be having coffee and smoking while they worked. I did not feel that was disrespectful and deserved any disciple. So, I responded. "I will be in the truck passing the boxes to the assembly line I asked for. You may not know this from previous experience but, I have the duty as well as you. Just because I am in charge does not mean I cannot or should not work." I asked if there were any more questions. You could hear a pin drop. While we were working, a Chief Petty Officer came by and asked where the sailor in charge was. They said inside the truck helping with the unloading. He could not believe what he heard and entered the truck. He asked me what I was doing. I said it should be obvious, I have the Duty just as they do and WE are getting the job done. I was not sure if he was stunned or impressed but he left. The next day there was a note in the Plan Of The Day which I printed the previous evening. "ALL PETTY OFFICERS WHO HAVE THE DUTY ARE EXPECTED TO ACTUALLY WORK ALONGSIDE THEIR DUTY PARTY." I think I made a great many enemies that week.

Whens the last time the local cesspool has been bailed out? Lower ranking EMs want things to "be fair" and maybe this guy has been given shit details a lot more than his squadmates (from his viewpoint).