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

The standard IS the standard....on or off duty. NO EXCUSES....get her info and give it to her CoC...I'll bet her CSM would LOVE it!!

If you out rank her you remind her of that and make her remember to think twice before she decides to walk out like that. Military is not a 9-5 job. You dont get to do whatever you want when you're not working, I know this from experience. Rolled her eyes? Name, rank, first shirts info and let her know she will be hearing from them soon.

Maybe it's being in the Guard now vs. the regular Army, but I see an awful lot of this sort of thing. Never from full-timers, but often from M-Day soldiers. I struggle with offering on the spot corrections when I am in civilian uniform and they are not, especially when it turns confrontational. They don't know me. I'm just some stranger that "harasses" them at the mall.

But because it's the Guard, I also am easily able to find out what unit they are in, and allow their chain of command to handle it. If there's a tactful way to correct them without causing them embarrassment, I will do that. Things to keep in mind: A) Civilians don't necessarily understand what is out of uniform and B) our reaction to things out of order in public shapes the public perception of the military as much as what is out of order. As an NCO, professionalism SHOULD include a healthy dose of tact. Don't just focus on how you feel they are poorly representing the military; focus on making them a better soldier through your interaction with them.

I see a lot of responses to this thread, "back in the old Army," but I came in at Benning over 20 years ago, and things were much the same. Whether Campbell or Fort Richardson, you'd occasionally see the private or, sadly, SPC blithely unaware that they were looking foolish in public. I may have occasionally been that guy, though I doubt it. I do recall an over-active NCO in the Air Force who wanted to check me when I came in Class As to my ex-wife's graduation at Lackland AFB. Foreign jump wings, EIB, etc., "would I find all that stuff in your records?" I didn't enjoy the scrutiny; it's precisely the kind of power trip we walk a fine line with. If I was improperly wearing the uniform, I could understand. We walk a fine line between power trip and corrective action. We must choose wisely.

Removing yourself from the situation was not the answer. I would and my wife would contest to this, have put her in the correct uniform. I would have also have gotten her unit and 1st Sergeants name and let him know how his soldier is representing his unit and the United States Army. Soldiers are not being held accountable.

Good grief...type your messages in Word first then hit the abc button (spell check) your English is horrible. That goes for all of those responding as well. I and we get your point, but it doesn't look well in the eyes of others.

thru vs through
there vs their
a vs an
my girl friend and I (others come first in grammar and hopefully your girlfriend in life)
what vs once

Should of stood your ground!!!!!!! That's what is wrong with our leadership today. There are all to afraid of being sued for hurting peoples feelings. We need to start standing up and gain the upper hand again.

I was that NCO who would call other soldiers out regardless of rank. It all depends on how you approached the situation and your demeanor. There were times that I got pretty heated but my point was always made.

I traveled a great deal in my last position on active duty and was in the unfortunate position of seeing many such violations in airports (both while I was in uniform and while I was in civilian clothes.) I often would walk up and stick my hand out to introduce myself. Instinct would usually prevail and they would shake my hand, and I would do a two-hand shake, and state my rank, name, and position while I was holding their hand. At that point I could gauge if they KNEW that they were making a mistake (facial expression and instinctive recoil.) That would dictate my next words, but either way I would let them know that as a senior NCO I had to help them out by ensuring they knew the proper way to.... or the regulations concerning..... And if they were a senior NCO or officer I would point out that there were undoubtedly junior personnel in the airport, whether or not they were in uniform, and that we were responsible for setting the example at all times, even in transit. I would empathize with their plight if they were exhausted (especially on long flight legs) and may not have had a choice about being in uniform, but put it "so I understand how you could overlook something so minor - I wanted to let you know so you could take care of it right away before it becomes an issue." A cheerful and helpful demeanor, making sure I greeted the person and introduced myself, and maintaining my bearing usually did the trick. If they asked to see my ID I produced it. If they blew me off (only happened a couple of times in all those years) I asked what unit they were with and took a pic of their unit patch and their face, then tracked down their CSM to let them know how that Soldier responded.

Something I learned in military leadership school... praise in public, reprimand in private.

Sounds like an old situational leadership lab of the old days.

On the spot corrections are just that, on the spot. SMSgt Thomas makes a good point to correct in private and praise in public. One way to approach the situation might have been to politely pull the Soldier aside, determine her unit and to address the transgression in a very soft but firm voice. Also, let her know that you will inform her chain of command as well.

Another way to approach it might have been to find out the young soldier's unit and notify the chain of command about the situation and allow them to correct the situation. Not to say or do anything shows a lack of respect for being a leader, which will in turn lead to a break down in discipline in a unit.

One concern I have is how things have changed to think a Soldier would even think of being out of uniform like this in a public place. I am an Old Soldier, and we were "raised" in the Army not to behave in such a manner. If one did, action was quick and the consequences harsh. Regardless, respect for rank is respect for rank irrespective of one's unit of assignment.

Just my thoughts.