Posted on Oct 16, 2016
How would you react to an E2 who "smart mouths" you in formation?
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Here's the background. You're a senior E5. Your troops are in formation and you're handing out work for the day. You hand out an assignment to a fresh E2 with less than a year in and only a few months at your command. They blatantly complain and tell you to choose someone else. You calmly tell them they will do this task and they tell you to shove it and give it to someone else. How do you react?
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 3697
While I believe there is merit to the phrase "praise in public, punish in private", sometimes private dirt bag needs to get smoked - in public.
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Have the armed forces degraded so much in efficacy that we have to ask this question? If I was confused in this situation, I would pull off my rank insignia, give it to the sergeant major, and then ask to be discharged.
Fix it, and fix it quick. And based on this scenario, go from 0 to 60. You let this become an epidemic, you're hurting a nation. First of all, thrash the Sierra Hotel India Tango out of his or her squad leader.
Probably not the most politically correct way, but effective - we took turns in schools battalion being the OOD, and the OOD supervised field day on Thursday nights. Troops were getting a little whiny. For field day, everything that could be removed, comes out of the rooms. There were some troops standing in doorways, seemingly waiting it out. Even corporals and sergeants were shy about enforcing what's going on. I'm not going to write what I screamed, because it would be moderated... but every Marine and sailor in that building stood outside their door, so that they could hear me address them from the parking lot. I explained loudly that if I see one more Mike Foxtroter standing around not doing a Golf Delta thing or hear one more Mike Foxtroting complaint, not only is your Sierra Hotel India Tango coming out of your room, but you Sierra Oscar Bravos will CHANGE FLOORS and take your Sierra Hotel India Tango with you. I have all night... OOD is a 24-hour shift, MOVE, ladies, MOVE MOVE MOVE.
Fix it, and fix it quick. And based on this scenario, go from 0 to 60. You let this become an epidemic, you're hurting a nation. First of all, thrash the Sierra Hotel India Tango out of his or her squad leader.
Probably not the most politically correct way, but effective - we took turns in schools battalion being the OOD, and the OOD supervised field day on Thursday nights. Troops were getting a little whiny. For field day, everything that could be removed, comes out of the rooms. There were some troops standing in doorways, seemingly waiting it out. Even corporals and sergeants were shy about enforcing what's going on. I'm not going to write what I screamed, because it would be moderated... but every Marine and sailor in that building stood outside their door, so that they could hear me address them from the parking lot. I explained loudly that if I see one more Mike Foxtroter standing around not doing a Golf Delta thing or hear one more Mike Foxtroting complaint, not only is your Sierra Hotel India Tango coming out of your room, but you Sierra Oscar Bravos will CHANGE FLOORS and take your Sierra Hotel India Tango with you. I have all night... OOD is a 24-hour shift, MOVE, ladies, MOVE MOVE MOVE.
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Not an issue, the subject and his immediate supervisor and I will have a quick discussion about the UCMJ and how to proceed.
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I would continue assigning all details to the other Soldiers. I then release all except E-2 Smart Mouth. I also would hold back his detail person in charge of E-2 Smart Mouth. I then would either 1. Bring both of them to Attention and explain in detail what is expected when a detail is assigned. I would then explain what the alternatives are for E-2 Smart Mouth.
Or if that fails to correct E-@ Smart Mouth's attitude;
2.March both E-2 Smart Mouth and his Detail IC Soldier to the First Sargent's office for additional support and direction. This might include an Article 15 action for Failure to follow a Lawful Order, Disrespect for Authority, Conduct unbecoming.
In no instant can E-2 Smart Mouth shun his duties in front of the other Soldiers. It would not be good for morale!
3. A short time visit to the Base Stockade (30 Days) might correct E-2 Smart Mouth's outlook on life! ;-) I SALUTE All My Fellow Veterans!!! GOD Bless America!!!
Or if that fails to correct E-@ Smart Mouth's attitude;
2.March both E-2 Smart Mouth and his Detail IC Soldier to the First Sargent's office for additional support and direction. This might include an Article 15 action for Failure to follow a Lawful Order, Disrespect for Authority, Conduct unbecoming.
In no instant can E-2 Smart Mouth shun his duties in front of the other Soldiers. It would not be good for morale!
3. A short time visit to the Base Stockade (30 Days) might correct E-2 Smart Mouth's outlook on life! ;-) I SALUTE All My Fellow Veterans!!! GOD Bless America!!!
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Since he did not like the original assignment I would provide him with a specific task that would last a few days and ensure I assigned an NCO to babysit him during this endeavor.
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I have been away from the military for quite a few years now (both as active and civilian), so I am not sure that my answer would meet today's woke standards.
The first thing I would do is ask him (or her) to repeat what they had said in front of everyone in formation. This leaves no doubt about a he said/I said situation.
Then as calmly as humanly possible I would explain that he is in violation of Article 92 of the UCMJ (Failure to obey a direct order) and that I think he (or she) should rethink their position. If they refuse then I would call the Master-At-Arms and have them sent to the brig to await further action via the XO or Captain's mast.
The first thing I would do is ask him (or her) to repeat what they had said in front of everyone in formation. This leaves no doubt about a he said/I said situation.
Then as calmly as humanly possible I would explain that he is in violation of Article 92 of the UCMJ (Failure to obey a direct order) and that I think he (or she) should rethink their position. If they refuse then I would call the Master-At-Arms and have them sent to the brig to await further action via the XO or Captain's mast.
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Extra detail duty after duty hours for several weeks, possibly KP duty as well, lawn maintenance, trash detail for several weeks and that doesn't square away his attitude then spending several weeks in confinement with the Commands Blessing
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I would inform them that I am in command. That if they think the task is below them I would start with having them do pushups, then a nice 3 mile run, then have them clean the latrines in the company area. Of course that would be followed with a demonstration of their progress on the PT test. Lastly, I would go to command and have them charged with an AR15 for disobeying a lawful order. Which would be followed by a suggestion they be discharged from the service! The Army is not a democracy!
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I just came back from southeast Asia In 1969. I was wearing what we wore in the field . In a mess hall at edgewood arsenal my sleeves were cut short just like in the field where I crewed choppers. This corporal with a couple of privates by his side tried to pull rank and bark about my short sleeve shirt ( he didn't notice that I was e-5 ) , I turned around and faced him and said ( don't go there sternly ) . He didn't say another word and walked away to get his food with his 2 pvts. Was I wrong for facing him like I did
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The E-2 and I would have a "come to Jesus meeting" with the platoon leader PDQ!
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