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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SGT First Officer
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While I don t deliberately go out in public to look for uniform corrections, I do go out of my way to keep my SA up and constantly scanning crowds for things. Just how i am wired. If I see someone in uniform, I start to zone in on them and my attention to detail kicks in. Ok, nametapes are on right, the uniform fits, there isnt a 19 year old kid wearing a Col rank, and they have the right footwear and uniform bloused correctly. If its all in ordnung, I move out and move along. No harm, no foul. I ve corrected a Pv2 in the airport before, and I pulled him aside.

I showed him my ID and let him know who I was. I asked him what his business was, why he was in ASUs, and if he was on PCS orders (legal to travel in ASU s on PCS), or a funeral detail, and if I could see a copy of his orders. He had none, and I asked him if he had a change of clothes in his bag. I informed him that traveling in uniform is a reflection of the Army as a whole and when the situation is not required not to wear it. He said he would change, and not do it again, and his answer as to why is he hoped to score a 1st class upgrade. I told him not to do that and that its using the uniform for ill gotten gains. I told him I appreciate his honesty and that I hope he won t do it again, and to learn from it and be a positive influence on his battle buddies.

Do I think its right for soldiers to be out in public in their uniform? Not particularly but I will have to go to the store or a gas station on the way home and run errands, etc. But airport, with thousands of people, you never know who is there and why. I ve seen the SMA Chandler in the airport before and continued on my way. There are countless people out there and we all have eyes and ears, and I think its not only our duty to make the corrections, but an obligation. And lastly-if they get lippy, start digging and have fun. The units will be more than happy to deal corrective punishment.
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SFC(P) Tobias M.
SFC(P) Tobias M.
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SGT (Join to see) do not forget about Starbucks where we saw the two SM's going in to get some food and that one SM's cover was all jacked up. We went in and corrected that one.
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LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU®
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unfortunate that she thought it was ok to do it, even though it was wrong. I am hoping that this is the exception to the rule and people understand that our actions as soldiers reflect on the military. Many people only experience the military through movies and interacting with soldiers, so whatever we do that is the impression they get.

Who knows, maybe we need a class on what proper military etiquette is!
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MSG Alan Purdie
MSG Alan Purdie
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Nah, she coped the "attitude" because she knew she was wrong but felt that since she was in the Mall no one should be bothering her and making her look bad in front of her friends.
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PV2 David Minnicks
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So at what point do we as leaders make a on the spot correction in public? Every
Remove ourselves from the situation? Never
In my opinion by not bringing this violation to the attention of the SM you are just as bad as the SM that is wearing a uniform that doesn't meet standards and you are not fulfilling your duties.
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LTC Herman Valentine
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I would have continued with the corrective process in private and advised her that she would most likely be a NCO soon enough and that you would expect her to do the same thing if the situation ever presented itself in the future. Always end the session on a positive note...unless the individual is just a complete un-salvageable POS with a self-destructive attitude;-)
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MAJ Attorney Advisor
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Tough question. I think you did the right thing by correcting her. Perhaps being more subtle and less confrontational would have yielded better results. I might have said "Excuse me, your hair is down, and your cover is on." (I have said it like this to superiors) If she refused, I might have tried to explain the importance of standards, and if she still refused, then I might have considered trying to find out who her first line supervisor was.
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MSG Alan Purdie
MSG Alan Purdie
>1 y
You always need to find out their name and unit at the start of the conversation because if they cop an attitude, they are not going to provide that information to you once you start the correction(s). Been there, done that
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MSG Intermediate Care Technician
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One option that I would have gone with, was ask her to step to the side, introduce myself and show her my military ID and address her uniform violations and simply let her know that she is promoting an unhealthy perception to the public. At least, as an NCO, you did what you were supposed to do. You addressed the issue, and stepped out when you realized the situation could have become worse than it needed to be. No fault on your part.
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PO2 Disabled Veteran Outreach Program
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Maybe she wasn't in but just wearing it to get cheap tickets. Wait, that's worse...
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SMSgt Ottis Stacey
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Completely understand your reluctance to get into an argument in public. However, I definitely would have got her name and number and ensure that I contacted Her unit. Personally I would have corrected her on the spot and have several times. It's ALL IN THE Approach Tact Goes a long way.
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SFC M1 ABRAMS Tank System Maintainer
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About a month ago I had another ALC instructor with me and we was in clothing and sales. There was a SGT walking around on her phone. He went over to her and corrected her on this. She comploied at first then 10 min later was doing it again. But this time she was on speaker phone. Well I was done doing what I needed and waited for her to pay as she was checking out, still on the phone. So when she walked out I pulled her to the side and corrected her. I even pulled my ohone out and showed her the REg as she wanted to tell me she "thought" you could do it inside a building. After some mentoring she was very clear on the Reg.

As I walk in to get back in line there was a 1LT with his sleeves tucked under. I walked up made the correction so no one could hear but him. He didn't hesitate to fix the issue.

Point is it is all of our jobs to make the corrections. Be it on post, off post(have did this too soldier walking talking on phone in mall with hands in pocket). There is always a correct way and wrong way of doing it as well. Ripping some one in the middle of Walmart isn't the best way. both of you look bad. Plus the correction don't come off the way you would like.
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SFC Jason Porter
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I would of ripped her a new one once she rolled here eyes! NCOs need to enforce the standards! Sad thing his her NCOs must permit it. If they didn't she would not have been in violation! I am retired and I still will go up to a individual and fix it! I will always be an NCO. NCO lead the way!
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SSG Training Sergeant
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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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SSgt Security Forces
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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!
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SSG Psyop Instructor
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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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LTC Strategic Plans And Training Officer
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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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SPC Treatment Medic
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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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CPO Fire Control Technician
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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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SSG Flight Medic
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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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LCpl Mark Lefler
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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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SPC Christopher Smith
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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.
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MSgt Rob Weston
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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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