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

Sadly, it's too common in today's military. My daughter in her JROTC program is more military than many of the young soldiers/airmen I see out in uniform. What saddens me is that if if's the duty day (0700 - 1700) they're normally respectful and in proper uniform. When it's after 1700, all bets are off; trousers not bloused, hats not worn, hair improper. And, in today's world, none of us know what background a young soldier has and their reaction.

Hopefully, someone in her chain will see this thread and enlighten the young Specialist. And, like SMSgt Thomas said, I would have asked to speak to her alone and corrected her tactfully. If she then becomes disrespectful, you as a senior NCO have the lawful authority to have her show you her ID and notify her BN CS.

Praise in public, correct in private...though that is a very unique situation..on base, it is easy to enforce uniform violations because they are in an environment that the populace is occustomed to such things..in this case I , stress the I, feel that a private descrete reminder is much more effective, as this troop seems proud of her uniform, but doesn't understand the regulation completely..she needs training more than public correction.. I live by an Air Force base that seems to set the standard locally..pick your battles..

Immediately!!!

No correct her no matter what up hold the standards we have been taught. Rolling your eyes don't release you from your obligations!

Noting with regret that "the armed forces are no longer representative of the people they serve," retired Admiral Stanley Arthur has expressed concern that "more and more, enlisted as well as officers are beginning to feel that they are special, better than the society they serve." Such tendencies, concluded Arthur, are "not healthy in an armed force serving a democracy."

This is the "quality" of our troops these days. No pride or respect for self , unit, or country. This is why I got out at 15 years instead of getting corrected by the chain of command for being too old school. It also fuels my fears about future wars and the need to be ready to fight the future wars at home.

I would have pulled her to the side and corrected. If nothing else I would have gotten her name and reported it to her chain. It's unacceptable. It's not an off duty uniform for wear anymore. The eye roll alone would have set me off.

I should have quite corrected her

I would have introduced myself and asked the woman if I may have a moment of her time, then I would have reminded her of the uniform regs. If she didn't like it, I would have invited her to contact me while on duty for further discussion.

Were you in uniform too? Yes? Then pull her to the side make her fix herself. If your answer is no, then you did your part. you told her she looked like ass and went on with your business. My opinion is that if you're not in uniform then you're not really in the position to do much beyond "hey you're out of regs you should probably do something about that."

It is truly sad to see the Army change in the ways that it has. Soldiers back-talking and questioning NCOs, attitudes given for on the spot corrections, and many other things that show that we, as the backbone of our Army, are failing to be leaders.
When I came into the Army, I made sure of many things before going out;
1. If I was going out, I wasn't in uniform... I couldn't wait to get it off of me.
2. If I had to wear a uniform, I made sure that it was correct, because you never know who you are going to run into (I actually ran into the Garrison CSM for Fort Carson at Laguardia Airport in New York during a layover... fortunately I wasn't in uniform)
3. If someone did correct me on a deficiency, I went to parade rest, listened to them, and fixed it... no sass or attitude given... because like I stated in the second point, you don't know who you are going to run into and until they identify themselves, you don't know who they are.
I did these things for several reasons... Respect, Pride, and FEAR!!!
We had discipline because we both respected and feared our NCOs. And EVERY NCO had each other's back... NCOs did not take sides, they did not care if another NCO made a correction that they missed, and they smoked the DOG SHIT out of us when we were ate-up.
Now, it's the other way around! It seems like our Army has developed into a place where NCOs are AFRAID to do their job. They are afraid to lay down the hammer because a Joe might complain about it. There are SO many programs in effect now that "protect" the Junior Enlisted that it makes my job, as well as every other NCO, almost impossible.
These new policies do not protect anyone. This is the FUCKING ARMY!!! If someone hurts your feelings or inconveniences you, drink your cup of "Huah" and drive the fuck on...
Soldiers are smart. They will always find ways to bend the rules to meet their wants. There will always be people who abuse legitimate programs (AER, SHARP, EO) which winds up making things worse for everyone.

With all that said, I am done venting... and to answer your question, you should have asked to see her Military ID. Write her name and get her unit... Even if you do nothing with it, she will know that you are not playing around and not just hassling her. Or you could have explained to her that while she is in uniform, she is a liaison for the US Army, and that she should take pride in being in the correct uniform. When I see soldiers off-post in an incorrect uniform, my mind goes immediately to stolen valor.
The next thing that you could remind her is that as a representative of the Army, every civilian there looks at her like she is a Superhero. She needs to play the part and get in the right superhero costume or take it off and never wear it again. Go home and get right.
In case you can't tell, I'm not afraid any more. I have been through the worst the Army can do when someone falsely accuses me of something... I have worked hard to get back to where I am at now and I am better for having been through it and bouncing back. No fear left.

Ask for her 1st SGT's name and unit. Tell her of her short comings and how the "civilians of this great nation appreciates her service!". Follow up with her unit's first sergeant. No real right answer...but wrong is wrong.....right

Just remember where YOU are, some places will not tolerate you causing a problem no matter how right you are.

SMS Thomas. If they get mouthy, take a pic and report it to base commander.

While there are exceptions to this rule, "only on base", is it allowed, but not off base....you should never want to be seen off base with a uniform on....

I would have pulled the soldier to side and corrected her, furthermore if she displayed an attitude i would have informed her that there are consequences on and off the military installation. We all have a reponsibility to conduct ourselves accordingly. Furthermore NCO’s and officer command at all times..

I think you did the right thing in making the correction. Hopefully she will think better of it before going out next time. It is up to her. I remember coming out of Penn Station in Manhattan back in 1980 in my Navy dress blues (Crackerjacks) with no cover on. I heard someone behind me yell, "Sailor, where is your cover!". I quickly reached into my pocket and got out my Dixie Cup. Never saw who called after me, but never forgot again to always where my uniform properly with pride.

She not a solider cuz a true one would be in compliance

I would have took her out side remove both from the situation and corrected her... If she gave attitude then pulled my cat card smoked her all then stopped the army is getting soft..... I got smoked for dumb crap like that

I'm an Army Veteran, and when I was in ('88 to '91), if troop wasn't correct, he would be standing tall before "the Man". That's how it should continue to be, try the polite respectful way BUT as soon as there is attitude, or disrespectful body language, now its time to get in that A**, and remind them of just who they are talking too....period!