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: 709
Well I read all the posts on this thread, and I agree with 98% of them, I having been in combat arms for my first 8 years on a LRRP Team shit was tight ! you met all the standards period, and boy was I corrected a lot lol!! well after this 7 years as an MP and I had too deal with legs, females and a lot of administration staff, it was a world of change for me and not that easy!!! I had to learn tact and be politically correct, but I never let a violation go uncorrected,
Today I am a Training Officer (Ensign) with the Naval Sea Cadet Corp, like JROTC, same standards as the Navy same regs. and I'm a hard ass about Military bearing customs and courtesies! an we have a lot of our cadets join the service all branches, and they all come back too the unit and thank me for being tuff on them and making them meet standards it makes me proud that I can instill this in these young people!! I guess an old grunt like me can still make a difference!!!
Today I am a Training Officer (Ensign) with the Naval Sea Cadet Corp, like JROTC, same standards as the Navy same regs. and I'm a hard ass about Military bearing customs and courtesies! an we have a lot of our cadets join the service all branches, and they all come back too the unit and thank me for being tuff on them and making them meet standards it makes me proud that I can instill this in these young people!! I guess an old grunt like me can still make a difference!!!
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Very easy. You take the Soldier to the side, explain that they are in violation. He or she cops a 'tude? You have the name on the nameplate, and the unit from the patch. Run with it. Just because you're off duty and off-post doesn't mean your responsibility as an NCO goes away.
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Make the correction and if she does get a attitude find out unit her unit and show up. There is more then way way to win this fight, too many turn their heads as though it doesn't matter. All service members have a unit and I'm sure the leadership would love a visit!!!
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Not correcting the situation is a failure, meaning any service member sees something wrong they have an obligation on or off duty to politely pull them too the side and tell them!!
On another note the military has made it too easy on troops in general, I know oh 7 cases in my area where the troop severally messed up with no reprimands, or jail time etc., most were chaptered out unable too adapt too military standards, less than honorable discharge, honorable after 6 months what the hell, my foster sister was one she broke her ankle in basic, so they told her she would have too recycle again, she had the balls too jump up on the Bn. Commanders desk, grab him by the shirt collar and say she wasn't going through this shit again, when I was in that would have been the stockade!
Anyway, corrections never hurt anyone!!! god knows when I was a young private I was corrected a lot, and I thank GOD it happened it made me a better soldier!, and I also instilled into my 3 sons who serve now in the Marines, Army and Airforce.
On another note the military has made it too easy on troops in general, I know oh 7 cases in my area where the troop severally messed up with no reprimands, or jail time etc., most were chaptered out unable too adapt too military standards, less than honorable discharge, honorable after 6 months what the hell, my foster sister was one she broke her ankle in basic, so they told her she would have too recycle again, she had the balls too jump up on the Bn. Commanders desk, grab him by the shirt collar and say she wasn't going through this shit again, when I was in that would have been the stockade!
Anyway, corrections never hurt anyone!!! god knows when I was a young private I was corrected a lot, and I thank GOD it happened it made me a better soldier!, and I also instilled into my 3 sons who serve now in the Marines, Army and Airforce.
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Yes, it is appropriate to "spot correct" a soldier who is out in public & not in proper uniform. It was done to me before and I didn't take it personally. Since she didn't take the correction as intended, you should have gotten her name & unit and reported it to her Chain of Command. Let them counsel her on the matter.
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You could have pulled her aside and asked for her ID card. Taken down her info and if you didn't even follow up to contact her CO...she would have thought twice next time.
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As others have said introduce yourself first to give that person a frame of reference for what is coming next. I would then ask them to step away and have the conversation away from their family/associates to avoid embarrassment. Then correct the infraction.
Of course she knew she was not in compliance, very few people who are not incompliance do it though ignorance. Most know that they can get away with certain things based on their supervision. So those of us that are outraged by this soldier should be mad at her supervision. And those that say troops are different and not as good now in days should look to those troops supervisors, they are letting things happen everyday to erode standards.
Of course she knew she was not in compliance, very few people who are not incompliance do it though ignorance. Most know that they can get away with certain things based on their supervision. So those of us that are outraged by this soldier should be mad at her supervision. And those that say troops are different and not as good now in days should look to those troops supervisors, they are letting things happen everyday to erode standards.
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I would have gotten her name and unit, then corrected (off to the side). As soon as I was in my car, I would be calling her unit commander and/or First Sgt for a meeting with them on this discipline issue.
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As an NCO, it's your duty to call attention to the situation. That being said, I think you made the right call in not making a public spectacle of either of you. You have her name, and Korea's a pretty small place, I'm sure you can look her up on global and find out her chain of command pretty easily. Give them a heads-up, and I guarantee she'll at least get a talking to.
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