Posted on Jan 14, 2015
SSG Combat Medic
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This weekend me and my GF decided to get out and go to the movies not near any military base once so ever (maybe a Reserve or NG training facility could be near by). So I'm glancing around notice a uniform on a young lady and her hair down with a PT cap on inside of the mall. I didn't loose my mind at first because it could be anyone just wearing the uniform these days. As I get closer to her I notice she has on SPC rank. I told my GF that I have to say something to her and of course she didn't understand. When I approached the SPC and her civilian male acquaintance, I asked her was she in the Army and she quickly replied "yes". So I asked her did she know she was in complete violation of Army Regs she says "yes". The female rolled her eyes at me and I could tell she was going to have
a attitude with me so I quickly removed myself from the situation. So at what point do we as leaders make a on the spot correction in public or remove ourselves from the situation? I felt at the time as a NCO I should have done more to make her fix herself, but on the other hand I didn't want to make a scene at the mall and in public. SPC Ware I definitely will remember you forever.
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MSgt Terry Mahan
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I would have called her to side, idemtified myself and gotten her name and unit. I would have had her squate herself away. If she did comply nother further would occure. If she developed an ttitude I woulf have informed her a report would be submitted to her unit. Young enlizted do dumb thing,that is normal and expected. How the respond when caught is another issue. I did stupid stuff to, when brought to my attention, I fixed it and learned from it.
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SSG Joseph VanDyck
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As a former NCO, I have made many on the spot corrections. I do not resort to loud voices. Did you show her your CAC card? If needed, I would have removed her from her location out of earshot, but had my significant other videoing everything from initial approach to conclusion. I would have notified her CoC and her NCO Chain. If it had gotten heated, I probably would have disengaged myself also. It is hard to say since I wasn't there. It is pretty sad that soldiers do this. You don't see Marines doing this BS.
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SrA Paul Pfeil
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On the spot corrective action is definitely required. Just be polite and calm. If they get nasty get unit information and simply contact their unit.
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Sgt Dale Briggs
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This is why we weren't allowed off base in anything less tha C dress, no utilities allowed thru the gates. Off post guys had to change. Back in the day of course no idea what the Usmc regs are now,
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SFC Gary Fox
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A CW3 and I were on our way to Milwaukee to meet up with the civilian contingency of our task force to "escort" them to Iraq. The chief and I flew out of Augusta to Atlanta and we were both in uniform. While in Atlanta, we observed a young NCO in ACUs wearing his Stetson in the air terminal. I went up to him and asked him if he was on leave from Iraq and heading home. He told me he was and I welcomed him home. I then reminded him he was indoors and should not be wearing headgear and the Stetson was not authorized for wear with the uniform unless at a unit function where it is permitted by the commander. I told him I understood his pride in being in Cav, but as an NCO he must also follow regulations. He thanked me and apologized and removed his Stetson. $20 says that once he arrived at his destination, he put it back on his head.
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SrA Integrated Avionics Systems (Attack/Special)
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I personally can't understand it. I for one can't wait to get out of uniform when the day is over. I'm honored to wear it but wearing it longer than I have to is not something I'm about. Being in uniform in public is just screaming "thank me for my service" and wearing it incorrectly is just...stupid.
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CH (LTC) Robert Leroe
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The few times I did, my intro was, "Better you hear it from me (your chaplain) than your 1SG."
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SFC Jim Ruether
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Praise in public, criticize or counsel in private! Nothing more embarrassing than to be called out for a uniform infraction. Not saying on the spot corrections aren't a valuable tool
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SSG Section Chief
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Why did you completely remove yourself from the situation correct her on the spot if not tell that SPC to take off the uniform or correct herself and I would do it in public with my "Knife" hand!!!!'
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Maj Director Of Operations
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I answered this question a while ago but now that I'm stationed at Lackland I see the just graduated BMT airmen, often doing things they know they shouldn't. It's given me an interesting perspective. I fully believe now as I did then that corrections need to be made. From talking with a lot of the new airmen I gathered two things. They weren't thinking and they didn't realize their appearance reflected on the military.

Most of the time their scare sh*tless I'll contact their MTI.
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SGT Fire Team Leader
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It's appropriate at all times and at all ranks regardless of a person's rank if there jacked up you should fix them a.k.a square them away just be respectful about it. I'll be the first to tell you I've seen a lot of hey mother fu**kers or hey fu** faces to people and if someone approached me like that I would tell them to fu** off
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MAJ Usareur Sto Chief
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SGT (Join to see) - Right wrong or indifferent, if you do that then you are no better than the guy who is correcting you.
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MAJ Usareur Sto Chief
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"They weren't thinking and they didn't realize their appearance reflected on the military." is a direct reflection of the leadership they have had in the past. I would argue those are both garbage answers and its more likely that the Airmen you spoke to believe the regulation you are holding them to is not important enough to adhere to. If leaders where instilling the proper amount of discipline and pride they would think more. I get it, some ppl just don't get it and wont listen, put them out.
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SPC Stephen Riddle
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I have been medically retired for about 7 years now and sometimes I just want to wear my uniform. However I won't wear my uniform unless I have shaved and have an appropriate hair cut. And I only wear it around the house on those days. With that said I think it would have been worth any possible scene caused (if a scene could not be avoided) to correct the issue and if she refused to bring it up to her NCO's. I respect everyone who has served and is currently serving and I won't disrespect the uniform that I wore proudly while I was serving by violating the regs. I may be going a bit overboard but wearing the uniform incorrectly (intentional or not) doesn't help the professional image that a soldier should be displaying.
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SGT Dan Lawrence
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If it was me in the situation I would of showed her my CAC card and told her to fox herself. I.E. remove the pt cap and fix her hair and if she responded with attitude. I would of gotten her name rank company commanders name, or first sgt.'s name and reported it.
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SFC Platoon Sergeant
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Yeah do it but do it professionally! Not to humiliate!
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SGM G3 Sergeant Major
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SSG Dontre' Robinson,
I understand your dilemma, but I will tell you that I have done exactly that. I normally show the Soldier my CAC and then ask them to join me at a location not in front of everyone else and explain to him/or her that they are out of uniform and need to correct themselves before rejoining the crowd/event. Depending on their demeanor determines if I engage them further or walk away after.
Note: if what they are doing is not within good order and discipline is one thing, but if they are doing something that falls within lane of hurting others or themselves, then I react more forcefully. Such as when someone is talking on a cell phone (not hands free and driving). My SGM when I was deployed last always said when he would reference me that I enforced the standard whether you were a Colonel or a Private and that goes for in the mall or on post (just remember to use tact).
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SSG Avenger Crew Member
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As an NCO you have the responsibility to make an on the spot correction ANY time you see one. These soldiers represent the greatest Army on earth, so they need to represent it accordingly. These soldiers can roll their eyes or say whatever but they must adhere to regulations. Hooah!
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CSM Airborne Ranger
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Yea that person (I would say Soldier but based on appearance I am not sure) and get a stern on the spot correction. One of the tings I have passed down to my NCOs to tell their enlisted is that everyday something will be wrong with my uniform; only the enlisted are allowed to correct it. They are finally getting into the habit of saying something like CSM your tab is upside down or whatever the correction is. My goal is for them to have the confidence to walk up and professionally make an on the spot correction to anyone regardless of rank. If we can't instill the discipline and confidence into our Soldiers for something minor like that what will happen when they see something that is really important and wrong.
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SN Stgsn
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it doesnt matter what situation it is unless there is a more pressing matter at hand, but people in the millitary should know better.
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Cadet CPT (Pre-Commission)
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What is the general opinion on soldiers/ex-soldiers who wear their PT shorts/Shirt out and about. Should ALL regulation corrections be made on the spot or is it more lax when it comes to wearing part of the PT uniform while out and about?
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SSgt Scott Schwerman
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I personally would have gone all the way. Us as service members should hold ourselves to that higher standard, especially since our country looks at/to us in a much higher aspect. So if a civilian (vet or not) just happens to know even a remote idea about military regulations about appearance, uniform, etc. and sees someone blatantly disregarding those regulations may have a negative impact on the way that person now thinks of how our military is handled or what not. I might be taking it way to far, but as a Marine, we are expected to hold one another to that high standard.
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TSgt Fellow
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One thing I was thinking about was when lower enlisted run into officers and NCO's that are clearly jacked up. There has been a few times where I've tried to correct and I end up getting chewed out. I didn't even make a scene about it I just subtly asked them to make the correction.
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