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 >1 y ago
Responses: 709
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I would have identified myself as an NCO and showed her my ID card as proof and then corrected her off to the side as not to cause a huge scene. Somewhere on her jacket should be her name and if she did go postal then I could easily track her down through AKO and find her unit. It might take a little detective work but it can be done.
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SSG (Join to see) If you are right, you are right. All you can do is inform the individual of the violation and if they don't intend on correcting themselves, maybe you need to get a hold of their supervisor. You don't have to make a scene to correct someone, especially when they are blatantly wrong.
One of the best sergeant's we have will correct someone in a heartbeat and it is almost scary and does incur some disdain but it is only because they are wrong. Sometimes being right means you have to be unpopular. Kudos to you for speaking up!
One of the best sergeant's we have will correct someone in a heartbeat and it is almost scary and does incur some disdain but it is only because they are wrong. Sometimes being right means you have to be unpopular. Kudos to you for speaking up!
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I'm sure nothing I say hasn't already been said. If it were me, I would have pulled her to the side, showed her my ID and ask to see hers, then continue to correct her. That way, if she gives you any attitude and you feel you need to exfil to avoid a situation, you have already seen her ID and can look up her full name on AKO and approach it from the top down.
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Make the correction on the spot. Rank has nothing to do with it. I am of the opinion that even a private may even tactfully correct a general. The Army Reg is signed off by some one more senior and is an order. How you make the correction and rather the individual is seeking to correct the action should be taken into consideration.
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Honestly SSG is such a public place, it's best to avoid the scene. From here though I think you should pass this photo and the story along to the chain of command. I'm sure her 1stSgt will have a way to square her away
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I believe that when we as leaders choose to walk away and allow violations like that it creates a culture where it's allowed. I've made kids change in the airport. They know they're wrong make them do what they know is right.
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If I were that jacked up I would have expected the correction and when in uniform standards are everything. I don't care if I'm running to Walmart or going to the zoo standards are standards and we need to uphold them to promote the right image. I don't understand wearing your uniform to the mall anyway. Its a duty uniform and I tend to get more comfortable as soon as I'm off duty anyway
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I was never in a leadership position in the service so i'm sure my opinion would be uniformed but I think i would of gotten her name and unit and went to her NCO or SNCO and dealt with it on base in an appropriate setting. I think its important that in public we do not give ammo to peoples stereotypes of the crazy military guy.
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Story time:
Me and a friend both in the Army in AIT at Ft. Sam, we are out during the weekend and stop at Dick's Cafe. We get verbally abused and given paper condom hats, and then enjoyed a decent meal. Walking down the River Walk with said paper condoms on we are stopped by a retired Navy Chief, he shows us his card, I knew it was legit because I've seen my fathers. He told us it does not look well for us to walk around with the hats on. We promptly removed them and kept walking. We were not in uniform, my friend had a shirt with Army on the chest and that was about it.
That being said, if we could be corrected while in civies, by someone from another branch, she can be corrected in uniform in public. If she doesn't want to play ball and change her ways, or provide identification once you have identified yourself, assume she is stealing valor and call Local Police Officers for the offense. A warning to do so should also offer a quick turnover of identification.
Me and a friend both in the Army in AIT at Ft. Sam, we are out during the weekend and stop at Dick's Cafe. We get verbally abused and given paper condom hats, and then enjoyed a decent meal. Walking down the River Walk with said paper condoms on we are stopped by a retired Navy Chief, he shows us his card, I knew it was legit because I've seen my fathers. He told us it does not look well for us to walk around with the hats on. We promptly removed them and kept walking. We were not in uniform, my friend had a shirt with Army on the chest and that was about it.
That being said, if we could be corrected while in civies, by someone from another branch, she can be corrected in uniform in public. If she doesn't want to play ball and change her ways, or provide identification once you have identified yourself, assume she is stealing valor and call Local Police Officers for the offense. A warning to do so should also offer a quick turnover of identification.
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Correct it, get her name and unit, get her ID, then inform her command about it.... UCMJ is not restricted to base...
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