Posted on Jan 14, 2015
On the spot corrections in public; when is it appropriate?
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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.
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.
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 710
You ask for her unit and first line supervisor. Then you let her know that it does not matter if she is on or off duty, UCMJ still applies. If she wants to have an attitude, her 1st SGT can always be brought into this.
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ha, my 1sg would have torn her apart, gotten her unit info, then stood there as her command came and ripped her apart. Thats an NCO's job. standards and discipline....
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As NCO's it is our responsibility to make those corrections regardless of how uncomfortable we may feel. Anytime you fail to correct a violation you just "set a new standard." Your authority to make corrections on other military members extend beyond the boundaries of a military installation. Military members regardless of their branch of service are required to comply with legal orders or corrections of individuals senior to them. I always pulled soldiers to the side to make corrections. A major part of leadership is being able to influence others, so initially ask the violator to make the correction because he/she is representing all Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen or Marines when they wear that uniform in public. If the individual fails to comply do not simply walk away and let it go, that's not the NCO way.
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That's what's wrong with the corps today. NCO's don't quite get it! Become aware of your military authority and defend our standards! "Backbone"!!!!!
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You did the right thing. We all have a duty to make respectful and professional corrections, as well as receive them when we are wrong and say thanks; especially in public. If they respond postively and fix it that is good, if not get their PII and report it to the CofC.
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CW4 Brian Haas
He absolutey positively did not do the right thing. He let her get away with disrespect to an NCO on top of being out of uniform. I sincerely hope these are not the standards that you would want in your brigade by Specialists and E-6s. I really hope you just misread the original post.
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COL Charles Williams
I am confused? I meant he did the right thing by confronting her, not the outcome. Perhaps there were better ways to handle it, but he did confront her. Many many leaders will not even do that. Many leaders walk away or by corrections and confrontations. My point was he did the right thing by confronting her. I believe I also said what to do if the person does not respond accordingly? And for the record, I expected everyone in the organizations I had the privilege to lead to follow my lead, and to meet the same standard regardless of rank. What would you recommend you do, if Soldier blows you off in a public place? I thought my response was pretty straight forward.
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in a situation such as this, in a very public area, I would have shown her my ID asked to speak with her privately where she would have the opportunity to correct herself without public embarrassment.
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Yes, I say we make the corrections immediately. Unacceptable! I know it's all wrong and we do have to say something and fix it. By the way that is not a PT cap it is a watch cap authorized with the green fleece and is not part of the IPFU.
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SGT (Join to see)
You mean to tell me that the WATCH CAP is not for WATCHING movies? I mean, it seems like a logical assumption to me!
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ooooohhhhhhhh man.
excuse my expression SSG Dontre' Robinson but i believe that you approaching this soldier in public is the right thing to do regardless. With a good portion of these new soldiers joining the army, with my explicit opinion, -a good portion of them are not the best to look at and see "soldier" with many of these newer generation "soldiers" not taking what is learned in BASIC to heart. you decided to make a commitment to the Army for the time you are serving. Get off your ate up ass and get right.
I dont believe in public humiliation, however with her rolling her eyes at you i would have had no issues continuing to ask for her company information, and paying a visit. As with being a SPC (as i am) its a bit harder for me to pull off, but when i was able to have a conversation with that soldiers NCO, things turn out quite interesting.
The 7 army values are there for a reason -what happened to them? apparently its something to be ignored.
excuse my expression SSG Dontre' Robinson but i believe that you approaching this soldier in public is the right thing to do regardless. With a good portion of these new soldiers joining the army, with my explicit opinion, -a good portion of them are not the best to look at and see "soldier" with many of these newer generation "soldiers" not taking what is learned in BASIC to heart. you decided to make a commitment to the Army for the time you are serving. Get off your ate up ass and get right.
I dont believe in public humiliation, however with her rolling her eyes at you i would have had no issues continuing to ask for her company information, and paying a visit. As with being a SPC (as i am) its a bit harder for me to pull off, but when i was able to have a conversation with that soldiers NCO, things turn out quite interesting.
The 7 army values are there for a reason -what happened to them? apparently its something to be ignored.
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I don't put up with attitude. If she hadn't given an attitude and had decided to care about what you had just said than it would have been different, but in this case I don't care if a million civilians were around you don't disrespect someone of a higher rank regardless of whether or not they are from your command and give them an attitude when you know they are right. That is unacceptable. I was always told that I should introduce myself rank and last name first before I say anything so that way they know who they are dealing with and then they can't give me any excuse as to why they gave me attitude later on.
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Once a soldier, always a soldier. 24/7/365. You represent the military and should always conduct yourself as. Politely ask her to fix the problem and move on
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