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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Never, ever back out of a correction unless there is the threat of violence. Now she thinks she has punked someone and gotten away with it, which technically she has. Now this SPC will be more bold in the future with her discrepancies, a major breakdown in discipline if you ask me.
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SSG (Join to see)
I don't know if never backing away from a correction is the right thing. I believe its a case by case situation.
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Sgt Adam Jennings
If you'll read my response you'll see that I basically said that. If there is physical threat then yes, by all means back off. But of that service member wants to make an ass of themselves, especially if you try to do it on the side, then so be it. They need to be corrected. Like I stated, this SPC now feels that she punked someone that was about to correct her and that may lead her to be more bold somewhere else, like on base with a known superior.
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I believe you HAVE to make the correction. Pull her aside, explain why she is wrong and at the very least, she will remember that moment the next time she wants to blatantly disregard regulations.
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She looks like she was cold. If she worked for me then I would have told her to put on a hat and a jacket - whether it matched the uniform or not.
Soldiers are people too.
Soldiers are people too.
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You did the right thing, likely the boyfriend would have assaulted you or worse, wait for you outside and shoot you .
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it's too bad that we can't discipline some of these fucks like the children they are. a good ass whoopin would set some of these overly cocky idiots right.
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SSG (Join to see)
No need for the profanity. You can get your point across in a professional and more succinct manner than using terminology like that.
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SSG (Join to see)
Normally I might agree with you. Unlike you i ddon't get butt hurt when I see a few swears thrown around. I'm not here to bullshit you or otherwise candy coat anything and I'm very sick of those that do. Grow up. This is an army not summer camp.
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NO, THATS WHERE YOU PULL OUT YOUR ID AND POLITELY SHOW HER YOUR RANK IF YOU ARE NOT IN UNIFORM YOURSELF. AND YES, YOU CORRECT HER, IF SHE ROLLS HER FUCKING EYES AGAIN, YOU GET KNEE DEEP IN THAT ASS AND EMBARRASS HER IN FRONT OF EVERYONE! FUCK THAT, SHE NEEDED IT. YOU DEMAND THE NAME RANK AND PHONE NUMBER TO HER SUPERVISOR AND HER FIRST SGT. AND INFORM HER YOU WILL BE MAKING A CALL TO THEM.
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SSgt John Hutto
im not saying you grab her or touch her in any way, but after disrespect is shown, all the kinder gentler shit goes out the window. yes, by all means i would have probably yelled at her. maybe not the tactful thing to do, but seems like these days, thats the only thing they respond to. she would have earned some tact if not for the eye roll.
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SSG (Join to see)
SSgt Hutto, no need for the profanity and unprofessional verbage. You can get your point across with better wording.
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SSgt John Hutto
maybe so, thats your opinion and your entitled to that just as i am entitiled to mine, wrong or right.
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SSgt John Hutto
most in the military will and do say a few curse words. so you never say any curse words? strange?
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Should have joined the Corps. and you wouldn't have to worry about a bunch shit birds disrespecting the uniform!
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I suppose your next line would be asshole. Picking on people, in a line, for some tickets. Why is it that people like you, have to ruin other peoples moments. Sometimes one after another.
Do you feel better? I bet that made you feel as if your GF would have more respect for you now Bubba. I'm rolling my eyes at you now, you seem like a bonafide creep. Last thing. You keep doing what your doing, you'll really have some people calling you an idiot.
Do you feel better? I bet that made you feel as if your GF would have more respect for you now Bubba. I'm rolling my eyes at you now, you seem like a bonafide creep. Last thing. You keep doing what your doing, you'll really have some people calling you an idiot.
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