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

This female would have been in tears after I got through with her, but she would also be within regulations and at least pretend to be proud of it

Pull them aside and correct them privately. If they give you attitude get name, rank, and duty station, and report it to their superior.

I think a little "pep talk" off to the side would have been in order after properly identifying yourself. Where are all the CSM's when you need them? :-)

As a Navy MAC I would constantly see male sailors out in public on base wearing earrings. I would simply say " Are you in the Navy?" When they said "Yes" I would simply say "Then get that fucking earring out of your ear." They would remove it quickly and there was no further discussion. They knew they were wrong and I didn't have to be politically correct about it. Correcting deficiencies do not have to be done in the "Cone of Silence". That's the problem, everyone has forgotten that it's the MILITARY and not corporate America. They're supposed to be warriors for God's sake not think skinned children.

The situation is tricky because of the environment we face in this day in age. For those "old corps" types, this isn't a new thing- it happened in the Vietnam era as well. The problem is that we have been at war for way, way too long and when that happens, the standards fall by the wayside and are replaced with a "field" mentality by the NCOs. In this particular situation, her NCOs have failed her miserably and now she thinks she owns the rules, and for the most part, she does in this scenario. Sure you can make a scene and put her on blast, make her stand at parade rest and the whole show, but she is just going to roll her eyes and tell you to take a hike. You can't exactly tell her to take off the uniform or take her home to change- it's just not feasible and since you aren't in uniform or her chain of command your teeth are limited to what you already said to her. All there is to do is take a pic and throw her to the wolves on JTTOTS or something similar. You told her she was in the wrong, and she did nothing to fix it- that's all there is to be said in this situation. She is a lost cause and what leaders of all ranks need to focus on is damage control at this point. Less kill, more drill is the solution- if you see a service member that is dicked up or blatantly in the wrong... It's back to basics, they won't learn anything from a tongue lashing, you have to do it with pen and paper and the red tape we all love. Identify the superior and inform him of the infractions then follow up with the OIC. Nobody has time to deal with an individual that doesn't want to play ball. It's going to be this way for the next five years if all commanders implement regular inspections and basic inventories now; if they wait to act on the issue is will only to continue to progress and dilute the ranks, because the veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan still serving have the mindset of getting the job done at any cost, and in many cases one of those costs is grooming standards and uniform regulations. In country, it's not a bad thing; practicality and common sense prevails because it saves lives. Educating NCOs on how to adjust accordingly stateside however is lacking and it shows in the rank and file being produced by small unit leadership. Back to basics, gentlemen, back to basics.

It is important to make on the spot corrections, but as the old saying goes "criticize in private, praise in public." My first boss in the military instilled in me, never pass a problem. If you pass the problem, you have just set a new standard. The first question I asked myself when I saw the photo was, why is she at the theater in uniform to begin with?

That soldier was wrong for being in improper uniform.AR 670-1 applies on and off duty. You did the right thing. If I were there, I would have probably did the same

I always make the correction; I do it because it's my responsibility but also because it reflects on the military as a whole and I for one appreciate the respect that the civilian community on balance has for those serving in uniform and know it is earned by appearing professional so am not about to let that be lost by unprofessional appearance or conduct of a military member. I never make a big deal out of it but in no uncertain terms tell them what they need to fix and stick around until they fix it. Airman had her earbuds dangling around her neck in the post office the other day and I bluntly told her to fix it; yes she rolled her eyes a little and yes, thirty years ago I would have ripped her a new one for that but its a New Air Force so I accepted compliance. Had she made a stink I would not have escalated in public but would have taken note of her name and tracked down her Commander for a chat. Leadership is hard but it's vital so you keep doing what you're doing Staff Sergeant!

I saw two squid ensigns JG's go into Starbucks without covers: a retired Gunny set them straight in public in recruit depot terms. They left.

Post Vietnam vet...If you are off base under orders conducting Navy business working uniforms were allowed. If you were in transit under orders/liberty civilian or dress uniform was the rule. While in uniform proper presentation of the uniform at all times. I can only imagine the dressing down one would receive for disrespecting the uniform and my unit. Certainly would have been brought before the Mast.

To the Troop that presented this discussion...
First of all RANK has no bearing on the regulation...I have told a CSM to "please adjust his beret, and then assisted with such...because truthfully he looked "out of reg's blatantly" and truly looked badly, he later coined me for my actions.
Only the true "following the regulation" takes presendence.
Now my back background: USCG (active) NH Air Guard (Tsgt) NH ARMY Guard (SSG, ret).
Also involved in numerous HONOR GUARD positions and many deployments.
I just have to say this...if you are out and about on the civilian sector in uniform ( which unless you are on-call, you have plenty of time to change out to civi's) You should present yourself in that uniform "PROPERLY, with dignity and respect, and appropriately...It should be an Honor to wear it that way!
As for "corrections on the spot" so to speak, advise that Troop of the issue (ensuring your view is correct) and asked them politely to rectify in private, no embarrassment needed to either Troop, Yourself, or Public view of OUR ARMED FORCES.
On a side note some people don't know the true way to present themselves in public in our respective uniforms, a GREAT NCO will do this in a manner of fitting with our traditions.
This Troop could be fully involved in an imposter situation as well...
Just use your head and service and go from there, but do it professionally...
Submitted respectfully,
SSG (ret) K. "Doc" Dawson, Hooah!

While stationed at Bangor Submarine Base, WA, I would run across jr sailors and marines that would be out of uniform. I would usually say one or two things to them, but I had one experience where a kid told me I had no "F" ing clue what I was talking about. So I pulled out my ID and pointed out that I did. He continued to give me lip and asked for his ID. He refused and when he tried to walk away I asked what command he was with? He again refused. About a week later I saw him on base in uniform and walking with a SSGT. I walked up to the SSGT and introduced myself and asked if this was one of his Marines. He told me yes and then I explained to him what had happened off base and disrespectful he was to me. I explained to him that wasn't out to get the kid but wanted him to be aware. He thanked me and they walked away. I later saw the SSGT at the gym and he thanked me for letting him know. He told me that they had been having a lot issues with him.

I live in the big city, and am always seeing people walking around in bits and pieces of uniform thrown on any old way, with name and rank. It gives me the willies, like a raggedy flag flying in the rain, but we're not near any military facility, so I assume they're crazies with knives ("Veteran with PTSD attacks shoppers at mall. Film at 11"). If there were a military base nearby, I'd ask the person if they were active duty. If they said yes, I'd say "You know you're taking a huge fashion risk right there, don't you?" And then I'd wander off.

As a Non-Commissioned Officer, we are supposed to uphold the Army Standard and regulations, whether on or off duty. There is no excuse for a Soldier to look that jacked up in uniform, even if it is a BA weekend. I advise all my subordinates to wear civilian attire when they are off duty, and if you are attending an event that requires the wear of a uniform, ensure that you are well within regulations.

Not worth it. Obviously a POS. If you really care probably easy enough to find out who she is and report to her chain...

Whether it is in public or private, I personally would rather be corrected at the first possible moment something is recognized as being "out of reg" for myself.
I don't look in the mirror once I get my hair up in the morning, so I could be the pockets askew/rank twisted/spinach on teeth misfit if not for a sharp-eyed fellow soldier to correct me.
Politely.
No one wants to be "that guy" who makes the military look sloppy!

My concern is why do we have service members that are comfortable enough to show themselves in public that out of uniform and then are upset that someone would call them out for that.

I would've made the correction immediately but would've done it by pulling her off to the side and out of public view/earshot.

Bluntly she looks like a soup sandwhich or a walking duffle bag. But she's obviously out on a date or spending time with a friend or spouse. There's no need to embarrass here or ruin her night. There's a tactful way to get the point across....

Think about how you would want to be corrected. I would want to be taken aside individually, but if I was taken aside while standing in line (losing my place) I would have gotten pissed. That said, her getting attitude makes things different. If you asked to take her aside and she became angry, then I would have let out the bull.

You exercised more self control than I would have. I would have been asking for this person's commander's name, unit number, etc. and if she failed to give it, I would do a search upon returning to work for all of this information and let her commander know of her behavior and how badly it represented his or her unit.