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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SSG Anthony Hetherington
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Look her up on AKO and contact her unit with the details of her infraction and attitude.
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SFC UH-60 Helicopter Repairer
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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.
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SSG Parachute Rigger
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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.
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SGT Aircraft Structural Repairer
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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.
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1px xxx
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Edited >1 y ago
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.
SSG Clyde Koontz
SSG Clyde Koontz
>1 y
Some of the things you listed are NOT regulations, (smoking, blousing boots)unless they're very new ones. Some of them have changed more than once over recent years (tatoos, piercings, homosexual behavior). At least one is dependent upon the situation (drinking alcohol). I'm retired now so some things may have changed, but your list is not accurate.
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1px xxx
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My list is accurate, and yes, you've retired. Smoking is a regulation that can be penalized whenever the higher-ups feel like making an example of someone, as well as blousing boots. Unless you served as a pogue in a pogue unit, these are standard regulations. And despite what the Kenyan-born "president" has done about homosexuality, chances are that homosexuality will be banned once again after he's gone as it should be.

You can always simply google these things for yourself and learn more.
LTC Student
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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.
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SFC Infantryman
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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.
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PO2 Logistics Specialist
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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.
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CPT Staff Weenie
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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.
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Sgt Jennifer Mohler
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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.
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SGT David Castoire
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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.
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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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