Posted on Jan 14, 2015
On the spot corrections in public; when is it appropriate?
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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.
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.
Regulation
Mentorship
Leadership
Professionalism
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 710
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Once she confirmed she was a soldier, ask her unit, and then you could have simply, and quietly mentioned she is obligated to follow regulations, 24/7, in/out of uniform, on/off post. If she refused to acknowledge and correct, copped an attitude, or made a public spectacle of herself, then you could've taken her name, rank and unit and reported her to her chain of command. Sometimes you have to make an example, you don't have to get animated or overly excited to make corrections.
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I am under the impression that you were not in uniform, yourself, so you had to break cover, so to speak, to counsel this person in a stand-down status. You brought the problem to the attention of the person. If it was a more flagrant violation of military regulations than just adjusting a gig line, so to speak, then asserting your authority is essential.
I think you did it about right.
I think you did it about right.
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I have quite the opposite issue here, the lower enlisted is wearing their shit right... the upper levels on the other hand could care less as a retiree... I find myself wanting to smash the big yellow birds.
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Given that you were out for an evening yourself, I think you handled an annoying situation
Quite adequately. She was out of Reg, and although she probably thought 'no big deal, no one will notice' you proved to her that indeed it matters and people DO notice. You then elected not to make a huge scene out of it, and that is acceptable, IMHO.
In the bigger picture, she will either learn from this and clean up her act, or no doubt continue to be marginal performer, with repeated stupid moves and eventually system will purge her to CIV status.
Quite adequately. She was out of Reg, and although she probably thought 'no big deal, no one will notice' you proved to her that indeed it matters and people DO notice. You then elected not to make a huge scene out of it, and that is acceptable, IMHO.
In the bigger picture, she will either learn from this and clean up her act, or no doubt continue to be marginal performer, with repeated stupid moves and eventually system will purge her to CIV status.
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In my experience, I have always known female soldiers giving “attitude” to male soldiers all the time. So, I won’t be accused of Sexual Harassment, I’ve always gotten a female soldier, usually an NCO to correct the problem. For whatever reason, I’ve always had a difficult time supervising female soldiers. Being in a public situation, SHE knew she could get away with it. You were smart to get away from that situation.
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I always remember an impromptu inspection our squadron CMSgt hit us with when I was overseas. He went through the ranks, noted our discrepancies, explained what needed to be done to rectify them, and then he walked to the front of the formation, faced us, and said something I have never forgotten. He tolerantly reminded us of our obligation to adhere to AFR 35-10 (the Air Force uniform dress code), and then he said, "Gentlemen, if you're going to wear that uniform, then wear it *RIGHT*. There are a hell of a lot of damned fine people who have *DIED* so you *COULD* wear that uniform." I don't know how that comment affected any of the other guys, but it hit me like a ton of bricks. I never forgot that comment, and even though I hadn't been found in any uniform discrepancy that day, I made sure for the remainder of my time in the AF that my uniform was always where it was supposed to be. I got an APR at one point stating that "my adherence to 35-10 was noteworthy, and set an example well above many of my peers". :) I don't know how good an example I was, but I do thank you for what you said during that inspection, Chief.
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stop her, ID her, ID yourself, explain the reason for your interruption of her day, Request name of Company, 1SG, CO. Inform troop you will contact said command regarding your concern and suggest troop initiates corrective action immediately. Follow Through. Depending on how you handle the situation, i.e., professionally, she should be thanking you and promising to get an appointment to the eye doctor for that problem she seems to be having. ALWAYS STOP AND CORRECT BUT BE PROFESSIONAL.
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What you should have done was ask her to step off to one side, away from her companion, before correcting her. That way you didn't embarrass her in front of them.
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