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

Also you could give members that do respect you some type of incentive for doing the right thing. Every time they turn down a task whoever steps up and take it for example, Gets a longer lunch break,a morning to skip PT, a day off, or whatever is feasible in your situation. Just do not announce the incentive until after someone step ups!

They obviously do not understand how frustrating it is to be the person in charge, Therefore overwhelm them with responsibility and delegate things to them that require them to act as a team leader and get their fellow members to listen and follow their instructions. Thats how you get respect and build a respectable member at the same time! It also shows that you work well with adversity.

I agree this needs to be handled immediately. But I would factor in that this is a boot camp. I would tell the apprentice to stand by after the formation is dismissed and counsel with Extra Military Instruction and document with a Counseling Chit. And make it known that the insubordination will not be tolerated and continuing insubordination will lead to further administrative action which could lead to XOI, Mast, other NJP or OTH.

In my day an E2 didn't smart mouth anyone

I don't care if that E-2 had less than a year or not, he'd need a new face and it would take a combat engineer to dig my boot out of his rear end.

I had this very thing happen. I told her I'd give her one chance to obey my order OR be standing in the Commander's office at 1700 getting disciplinary action. She squeaks back "I'll take my chances with the commander." So I order her to go stand over out of the way at parade rest until we were finished (washing vehicles from the field). I did that so she couldn't change her mind 10 minutes before we were done, jump in and help at the last second and say I lied on her and that she really did obey. Within 48 hours she lost a stripe. Done deal! 14 days restriction (which she broke and got her civilian clothes confiscated), lost of a pay grade, and I believe loss of some of her paycheck.

UCMJ...ensure your counseling is current; proper documentation showing what is expected of the Soldier upon their entry to the unit. Then recommend UCMJ for failure to obey an order!

Put em down and make em do the Chicken..

Back during the Nam, l would have put my foot in his, well new Military sucks, Sempi Fi.

GET IN THAT PUNKS FACE and tell the little turd, life as he knows it has just ended.