On the spot corrections in public; when is it appropriate?

You were correct to make an on spot correction however today’s soldiers unfortunately have a totally different attitude as opposed to when I was a private so it’s difficult to implement regulations

She was just pushing the limits.

She knew better.

Flint: "He was wearing a battle of the Bulge ribbon."
Cramden: "There is no Battle of the Bulge ribbon!"
Flint: "Precisely, this man is an imposter!"

I wonder if we’ve gotten a valid opinion yet on this post from 3 years ago! Cmon RallyPoint!!!

SSG Robinson, You should have called her aside and corrected her on the spot. It's lessons learned that makes the soldier strong, if she knows that she can get by with doing what she wants in public in uniform she will do it again. Maybe in combat too. Your mistake.

The battle was lost as soon as you told her it was ok for her to knowingly act in violation of Army Regulations. If you are going to bring up the topic you must follow it to conclusion of her either conforming to regulations or having her face corrective encouragement.

The standard you walk past is the standard you accept. I agree the SM should have been tactfully corrected- however- I can fully understand the reluctance to do so. I can only speak for the army, but Soldiers are very aware of resources available to them, and some Soldiers have no qualms about abusing those resources to push back against authority. We have discussed this topic in LPDs, and a surprising number of leaders hesitate making corrections for fear of an IG, EO, or SHARP compliant.

I have personally had complaints filed against me for enforcing the standards, and have seen it happen to others. It is not a pleasant process to experience, but I can rest easy knowing I did the right thing. My concern is that too many people see leaders getting raked over the coals for upholding those standards and begin to wonder if it is worth the hassle to make those corrections.

Bottom line: as service members and leaders we need to chose the hard right over the easy wrong, that's why we are professionals. We also need to ensure we are absolutely in the right and correct when we make those corrections and enforce the standards. Enforce the standard and be prepared to back it up.

I was in a similar situation when I found an Air Force E1 wandering around the mall with his cover on. Normally I would have said whatever and moved on but this kid was a good 300 feet from any exit. I calmly confronted him about it because I didn't want one of the Air Force Recruiters catching him. Anyway he started getting pissed at me ( I wasn't in uniform) and a WW2 veteran came to the Aide of the young Airman. When he found out I was in the Army the WW2 vet saluted me and told me to get back to chewing the Airman's ass. It was a unique experience for all of us I think.

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.