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

It is our job to be correct 24/7 we are only 10% of our nation. So as we serve we should sit forward an example at all cost. There are many scenarios in how that could have played out. But I would have pulled her aside and made an on the spot correction. We can never miss an opportunity as leaders to make our presence felt in a positive manner.

Soldiers know when they are wrong.
I just present my Identification card and tell them to fix themselves in a quiet voice without making a scene.

Yes, we must absolutely correct the Soldier as they are representing the Military and this is what the public sees and remembers.

On the spot correction was definitely called for. As a female Sergeant, I scrutinize a uniform just in passing on post let alone having her hair down like that off post. I would have definitely pulled her to the side and helped her understand that it is even more imperative that we look professional in a civilian environment. We have an image to uphold and as a professional, needs to set an example to those Soldiers who may see her off-duty hours, as well as, the civilians/ veterans that would scrutinize her appearance because they know she knows better. No need to make a scene of course. If she had become disrespectful I would have asked for her chain of commands unit and 1SG name. Go ahead and not wear the appropriate head gear or put your hair up. Dually noted! It's not hard to find info of an individual on AKO to address standards that need to be reiterated to their Soldiers.

There are a ton of Army regulations that people violate every day, especially those in the higher enlisted and officer ranks. They just don't give a shit. Neither does the Army. Many regulations aren't even enforced, until someone somewhere bears a grudge against someone else and tries to bust their ass for breaking an army regulation that hardly anyone knew existed. But here's a list I see plenty of self-righteous hypocrite pricks breaking:

1. Walking and talking on their cell phones.
2. Getting tattoos.
3. Getting piercings.
4. Drinking alcohol while in uniform
5. Doing drugs
6. Not having their fingernails properly manicured and trimmed.
7. Not having the bottom of their pants tucked into their boots, but "bloused" instead.
8. Smoking while in uniform.
9. Engaging in homosexual conduct (While it was still illegal, "Man-love Thursdays")
10. And perhaps the biggest one of them all: Indecent language. Yes, you are not allowed to be vulgar or use cuss words or offensive language. Go figure, because you'd never know such a regulation existed while serving in the military. AR 600-20, and UCMJ, Article 134, Paragraph 60. The penalties are also quite severe, and ironically, NEVER enforced by the military, nor punished. Guess most of the military would be kicked out if it was.

So, all you assclowns who complain about this uniform violation, next time remember that you deserve to be discharged for bad conduct on account of you breaking the indecent language regulation.

Should have continued to try to make the correction in my opinion.

The issue with this is that the standards are not being adhered to by the newest generation of Soldiers. While I am all for challenging things that don't make sense while I am at work, there is absolutely no reason to disregard the regulations.

Once corrected, make the correction and move out.

You did what you were supposed to do. She will think next time about doing that I hope. Anyways today's up bringing in Army is not what it used to be.

As a reserve E5, we are constantly told to tell our juniors to "unfuck themselves" and we are bombarded by training sessions about living the motto of honor, courage and commitment. ...In or out of uniform.....on or off duty. So I believe you should have corrected the spc, but in a way that didn't cause a scene. Praise in public, reprimand in private....As we were taught here anyway. Not sure how the army deals.

You're a better man than I, if she rolled her eyes at me I'd have made it my mission to take down her name and give her CSM a call, after I told her that her blatant disregard for the standard and her obvious lack of respect were an embarrassment to the uniform.

I would have used tech. I loath people emailing crap like this to commands but if she wasn't receptive to correction in public, keep your professional cool and let her command handle the problem. Give a heads up to your command in case it bites you in the ass they can cover your ass.

I had a similar situation on Veterans Day last year, when I noticed a SPC in uniform with a gold watch on his left wrist, PT shirt under his tan shirt and clearly didn't shave. I corrected the young man and respectfully, the SPC took off the wristwatch and greeted me with a "Happy Veterans Day." Now a days some bare the uniform just to be recognized.