Posted on Jul 8, 2016
Is it appropriate to confront a higher rank when they are blatantly disregarding regs?
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So last week I was at the chow hall with another girl from my squadron, and we see this SSgt wearing nearly black lipstick across the room. This is very obviously out of regs as makeup is to be conservative and lipstick can not contrast with your skin tone. She was obviously a higher rank than me or the airman I went to chow with, and neither of us said anything even though both of us desperately wanted to. She looked ridiculous. It was so bad that some male airmen at the table next to us noticed it and asked us about the reg. Anyway my question is, is it appropriate to confront a higher rank when they are blatantly disregarding regs?
PS There was a visiting 2 star across the chow hall at the time
PPS Sorry the pictures are so bad. We were far away.
PS There was a visiting 2 star across the chow hall at the time
PPS Sorry the pictures are so bad. We were far away.
Regulation
What Would You Do
Advice
Edited 8 y ago
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 310
The circumstaces around your situation are unique but if you are curious, here's what some others have said on the subject:
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/how-do-you-feel-about-correcting-someone-of-higher-rank
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/how-do-you-go-about-correcting-someone-of-a-much-higher-rank
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/how-do-you-feel-about-correcting-someone-of-higher-rank
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/how-do-you-go-about-correcting-someone-of-a-much-higher-rank
How do you feel about correcting someone of higher rank? | RallyPoint
With doing funeral details I work with people ranked as low as PFC or as high as COL. One day I was at a funeral and I noticed the Major I was with had 4 bronze stars attached to his NDSM. I asked him where he got his ribbon rack from and he said he recently used a new store. I had to inform him that according to his National Defense Service Medal ribbon, he has been in the service since WWII. And I said the reason is you get the ribbon for...
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Diplomacy is key, Respect is normally returned. If over concerned I would make sure that it is recorded, and or witnessed. But just pointing out reg violations shouldn't be something to freak out about.
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It's never wrong to make an on-the-job correction, as long as you do it tactfully and respectfully. Leaders are not above the regs, but if you're concerned about reprisal, then bring it to the attention of someone higher.
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Yes. I was an E5 when I confronted a full bird on her nails color. Do it tactfully and it "should" be ok.
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SGT Charles Bartell
WOW that response only goes to reinforce why people think that marines are STUPID.
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So I agree with everyone who said your black lipstick is out of regs and you are within your right to respectfully confront her but I would recommend doing so in private. What I don't get is why your male teammates needed to ask you what is in regs for women. Since female airmen are expected to know male regs, why is it ok for male airmen not to know female regs? Just sayin'. It doesn't make any sense to this retired female colonel.
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So...I agree with those who said the black lipstick is wrong and it is appropriate for you to respectfully confront her about it in private, outside of view of others. However, what I am confused about is why your male colleagues had to ask you about what is "in regs." If female airmen are expected to know male regs, I just don't get the fact that male airmen don't think they need to know male regs. Just sayin'.
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You cannot go wrong if you are quoting the regulation. If the senior person takes issue with you correcting them, it says a lot about them and is no reflection on you. No one is above the law. However correction should be done discreetly since the point is to correct, not embarrass.
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