Posted on Jul 8, 2016
SrA Rebecca Jaffee
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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.
Edited >1 y ago
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Responses: 308
Sgt Peter Schlesiona
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Confronting someone in the mess hall would not be a good idea. Making a public spectacle would serve no purpose. In all likelihood, she will be observed by someone in her chain of command and the issue will be addressed. Besides, from what you describe, she’s already making a laughing stock of herself.
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LTC Vice Commander
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Take it up with the 1SG.
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PO3 David Davis
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Yes it is we had a Navy Lieutenant that didn't know where his insigne is went on his shirt we had to straighten him out everyday just about
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SGT James Belcher
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I know this is changing, but I THANK GOD, I was in the infantry...ya know cause I never had to deal with these types of issues except at a military school (PLDC).
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PO1 RIchard Petty
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A1C Jaffe like everyone is saying be tactful about, if you fill uncomfortable find someone of same rank as her and have them correct the issue. You as a female should know your regs for females, and for males have basic knowledge things that you think might be wrong.
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MGySgt Rick Tyrrell
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Too easy! I spent a career doing this I never worried about tact but they are correct. Correct him on the spot.
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PO1 Sanford Snyder
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I was on Shore Patrol duty in Naples Italy. Our contribution while our carrier was in port. I was situated at a base club, can't remember the name of it, its been 30 plus years. My partner and I were watching the club close and the people leave. A Navy Lieutenant in uniform was leaving with a young lady he met at the club, an enlisted sailor in civvies. He put his cover on but his coat was unbuttoned and hanging open. I interrupted their leaving, politely, and asked, "shouldn't you button your coat sir?" He stopped, looked shakily down, nodded, and buttoned his coat. Meanwhile the female sailor was shocked that I would even bring it up to him being as I was enlisted.
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SSgt Fuels Specialist
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Not only is it appropriate, you have an obligation to correct the deficiency.
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SFC Oddie Brown
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I remember as a young sergeant years ago we had an in ranks inspection that was to be conducted by our CSM. Our dress was Class A. Everyone in our unit was in Class A's including the commander and 1SG. The CSM showed up in BDU's and they looked like they just came out of a duffle bag and his boots were dirty. I was in the rear but I could see him and the 1SG having some words. Next thing I know the 1SG faced us and told us to fall out for payday activities. He told us later that he felt like the CSM should have been in the same uniform as us since he was the standard. I don't know if he was right in his action but he got a hell of a lot of respect from all of us that day.
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SFC Oddie Brown
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Use tact, and absolutely it is ok to let a higher ranking person know they are in violation. Most of the time they are probably not aware of the deficiency. Start the conversation with sir/maam "were you aware...." or sir/maam it is my duty to inform you that...." If they make an issue then they have a problem. I would think they would appreciate a heads up no matter the rank.
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