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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SPC Matthew Petri
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I would have pulled her to the side and corrected her. If she gave me any lip, I would have took her picture and reported her to her command. Airborne Pathfinder's Lead the Way! Including putting my jump boot where the sun does not shine if need be. She would be on billy goat detail.
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PFC Infantryman
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Being a non-nco like her growing up in today's society alot has changed and people grow up differently coming from different backgrounds. But at anytime my uniform is wrong I have no problem with someone setting me straight. I like to be professional at all times in uniform and show my respect for the people who fought before me. I had an experience after a drill one weekend where I pulled up to a gas station and it was going to be quick because i was just buying tobacco so i just threw my keys in my pockets. However my lanyard was sticking out and some guy came up to me and told me to fix myself and told me who he was and everything. At first I was like really, this being the lesser of dress code regulations (for example wearing a rank that you aren't or having your name tapes in random places would be major problem) but on the other hand he was right and when I'm in uniform I should be professional and follow proper regulations. Anyways even though it would be embarrassing to be corrected in public, you're doing the right thing sgt. Hooah
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Cpl Michael Mosley
Cpl Michael Mosley
>1 y
Why is todays society any different then mine or those before us. Is it because we were disciplined as children and we didn't have technology growing up to do everything for us. Once you sign that contract your butt belongs to the Government, Period. They don't care what generation you are, what the hell is going on with our Military. Political correctness is a Discipline Killer.
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SGT William Massey
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I would have figured out what unit she was with taken a picture of her and shown it to her 1SG.... people who disrespect the uniform should not be allowed to wear it.
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SGM Scott Spencer
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I would have corrected her and told her to put her hair up IAW AR 670-1 and explained to her that if she didn't feel like keeping in uniform standards while off duty, that she should have changed into civilian attire prior to going out.
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SGT Justin Ray
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I would have shown her my ID and then insisted she fix herself....amongst other things.
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SPC Infantryman
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I would have corrected her, if she has an attitude problem then pulling her to the side in civs isnt gonna help, ida asked her who her company was and where she was stationed. However i would have done that thru small talk then corrected her, and if that fails. Call her unit up, google should be able to provide an address and a phone number to any public guard armory, how it is with the reserves may differ. That is definitely national guard spc idgaf behavior though. You obviously got her name, so if she isnt an imposter then someone somewhere will know her and rip her a new asshole for being a bag of ranky ass in public, otherwise shed be exposed and lose any and all reputation worth a grain of salt when it hits the media. However you leaving a soldier as a failure in public too could cost reputation for the entire branch and/or company over just this picture. But then again i was only a spc my self, so id bank my money on calling the nearest troop command or an armory and asking to speak to a senior nco who loves to handle post spot corrections!

But as for correction on the spot, soldiers in civs by regulation have no authority or atleast in my state when it comes to the guard.
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SPC James Lawrence
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Immediately
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Sgt Packy Flickinger
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You can always correct her and if a major attitude sets in take a picture and take it back to your command. Maybe if she's identified and gets called before her NCOIC or OIC when she gets back on base she'll think twice next time.

It's really ashame that the dedication, maturity and responsibility isn't strong enough in her to want to do the right thing off base.

It's a tough call. How far are you willing to take it if your attempted correction gets really out of hand?
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SFC(P) Tobias M.
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I am looking through all the comments. Where are our SGM's when we need them? Lets here what you have to say.
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SSG Security Officer
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Automatically correct her. Show the your id, prove your rank and name. Get jets as well and unit. If she reports you, she'll be reporting her own ignorance.

Correct her, and move on. If she rebukes or refuses your correction then just write her up.
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SFC(P) Tobias M.
SFC(P) Tobias M.
>1 y
SSG (Join to see) If he is not from the area what good is writing her up going to do? I don't think that he has a counseling statement in his back pocket. I think you were on the right track up to that point.
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SFC Jose Plascencia
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I would have corrected her, asked her what unit she's in and asked her for her 1SG name
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SSG(P) Transportation Management Coordinator
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SSG Robinson, as a fellow NCO and SSG, I feel troubled by the ignorance, blatant disrespect and lack of pride one has for the uniform and their service. We, as leaders, should not let the infraction continue, regardless of where we are or whether we don't wish to cause a scene, regardless. I understand where you are coming from. Sometimes, I don't want to do it either, simply because of how many time I've done it. But the fact remains, that wrong is wrong. If we do not attempt to correct a deficiency or error, (of course you know what I'm about to say) then we make a new standard.
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SFC Keith Frain
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In those situations, given you were in your civilian attire, and she was wearing her military uniform (no matter how incorrectly), it's hard to say that something positive would happen...because I am guessing that the Soldier would immediately have gone on the defensive. (most likely due to her feeling that she is military...and who would correct her???)

Nonetheless, most of us at one time or another have been in this type of situation; I can only say what I have done in the past. First of all, yes...I would have/have done approached the person, introduced myself with military ID card in hand for the person to see, and asked if he/she had a moment, all the while making sure to include any parties the Soldier was with.

Usually, and I mean usually, once your position is clear (especially if your the same branch of service and a higher ranking individual) all correspondence will go smoothly and "on the spot corrections" will be done in a sorted manner.
However...If it all blows up in your face, so be it; kindly record their name, rank, and unit identifier, and bring it to the attention of their command. A Service member, (any branch) wearing a uniform has multiple identifiers, and if nothing else...you have a cell phone with a camera...as you used in your post!

Lastly, most are probably thinking that it's a little retentive to go through all of that, but you know what, so be it. For God's sake, we all know the rules, we signed the papers, and if we need to tighten someone's shot group, then do it. Kudos to you SSG!
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Cpl Felipe Morales
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Shitbag all the way.if you were also still in then yes anounce your rank and tell her to correct herself.if she is non compliant ask for her to give your her co's name and number
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SPC Dale West
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I See Cadets Around West Point Like That All The Time And What Is Worse Is Some Of The Active Duty Officers And Military Personnel That Are Here Do The Same Thing (Wearing Part Of The Uniform With Rank On It And Regular Civilian Attire With It). I See Now Why Cadets Do It. LACK OF EXAMPLES
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SSgt Station Commander
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Absolutely, and the fact that she rolled her and knew she was in the wrong makes it even worse. She is setting a horrible example and what's worse is that she is perpetuating an attitude of nastiness to the public.
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SFC(P) Tobias M.
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SSG (Join to see) I just did a search of RP to see how many people with the name Ware there was. There was only two profiles that I think could be female. The others are males with pictures or names like Robert. Where where you. Your profile says South Korea but not sure if hat was where you were.
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SFC(P) Tobias M.
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SSG (Join to see) I just did a search of RP to see how many people with the name Ware there was. There was only two profiles that I think could be female. The others are males with pictures or names like Robert. Where where you. Your profile says South Korea but not sure if hat was where you were.
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SSG Combat Medic
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I was on leave in Dalls, TX. Not many bases close by. She could've been any component.
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SFC(P) Tobias M.
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SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas I agree with you 100% on this one. I would have asked her to come over to the side with me. If she said no I would have showed her my ID and pointed out that I am an E7. If she did come with me at that point I would have informed her that while in her uniform she is a direct indication and rep to the military and she is showing a very bad example. If she refused to I would have asked for her ID card and took down the information and then asked her what unit and who her commander was? If she didnt do any of that I would be looking for her on every social network I could think of and figure out who she is to report her to her COC. On the spot corrections need to show that the Military is not ate up as she is showing.
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SPC Larry Buck
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SSG Robinson my opinion you did right, but yeah remedial training involved now.. Don't disrespect the people who raised you by being somebody and let the routine slip! Forget AR's your family is top priority, don't make them look like bad teachers ,as "uniformed services" we are family! Goofy army guys and explitive jarheads , lol we are family, hate each other sometimes or just clowning around ..we are back up to the back up, we can't let our brothers and sisters slip it'd ruin our reputation for unity big brother don't like that he'll give you noogies and it's funniest when it's not you but remember what it was like as an outsider and be easy but be firm your big sister to her
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