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

I don't know if it's even appropriate to comment here being I'm only a specialist (ARNG) promotable, but I saw a similar situation today while I was out with my girlfriend snowboarding. I saw a kid in full ACUs with no tags and no patches. I was urged from my inner army training to say something, but I bit my tongue and drove on. Should I have approached that individual?

The fact that she's doing it is a failure in the part of whoever trained her; she's not the problem. Hold her unit accountable. "Hey soldier, how are you?" "Other than the theater, what is there to do around here?" ...Continue conservation and find out her name and what unit she's in. Attempt to correct her (as you did); if she gives you attitude, give her the lawful order, contact the Duty Officer, and follow up with UCMJ charges as they apply [if needed]. If she's a reservist or N.G; just shake your head and laugh at her; tell her she looks more f****** up than a football bat. Going any further probably wont have any effect.

I was in a situation like this but it was by far worse. I went to a liqueur store after work to pick up a six pack. This is near Ft. Drum. I had stopped by my house first to change, it was a Friday afternoon and I had just finished a 14 hour shift. I was at the time a SGT. I walked in and at the counter was a soldier, later to find out it was a PV2. He was wearing headgear with SGT stripes, without a top. I immediately stopped and walked up to him waited till he was done with his transaction and made the on spot correction after showing him my ID. I was curious to his rank, but I left it alone. He didnt speak as though he was an NCO nore did he have any respect towards me either. He told me to F*** off. I followed him outside where him and his buddies yelled out of their car that if they see me again they were going to beat my A**. I wrote down the license plate, called up my platoon Sergeant. He called the commander and so forth. The following Monday I was pulled into my first sergeants office. I walked in with both my first sergeant and commander with another first sergeant and the three privates i had seen Friday night. My first sergeant asked me if these were the ones I had seen. I told him yes. I was given all three of them for two months. I made them strong, I made them smarter and most importantly I made them have respect. Never worry about what can happen with a soldier, it shows weakness and lack of resolve, always correct on the spot. If they show disrespect or failure to comply with regulations seek out alternative support. In this case I found who they where and what unit they were from. I also agree correct in private, your not there to humiliate.

Attitude or not you make the correction, Soldiers do not learn by avoiding the situation, and as a leader you have to make the correction or you are wrong for not doing it.

How would you as a lower enlisted soldier like to have a PSG that did not correct you, soldiers like that end up in boxes with long handles, because someone didn't give a shit to correct them...

There is never an "inappropriate" time for on-the-spot-corrections. I've had to make corrections in Home Depots, Walmarts, commissaries, etc. Providing a quiet comment to avoid embarrassing the violator is important. Look at it from a developmental aspect, know and understand your regulation. They may role their eyes, but they'll be the better for it.

She rolled her eyes??? ROE would stipulate "Throat Punch is a GO!" NOTHING corrects insubordination as quickly and as effectively as a throat punch. Chivalry is discriminatory. Equal Rights = Equal Throat Punch.

I have done a on-the-spot correction of a lower enlisted before. Both of us were in uniform, and I tried to be nice at first. When said E2 decided he was going to give me lip, I just asked him for his supervisors info and let him/her take care of it.

Dummy tried to give me a fake name, but there are only so many Security Forces out here, and when you're on good terms with their upper enlisted.. well that helps a lot.

Last I heard, he was being made to scrub all the cruisers 3 times a week, and extra pt.

Sadly enough I think that is the minority though.

this is not just an army issue, it across the board. As a retired Marine in California I see many military fashion combinations, most that I attempt to correct are aware of what there doing.Once called on it leave the area or correct the issue. Basic rules to follow. 1. It is your duty and obligation to correct the individual. 2. identify yourself 3. ask for there unit 4. then treat them how you would like to be treated.4a take them off to the side, not the time or place for embarrassment. 4b. put it on them, point out the discrepancy and advise what happens next is on them 4c. Next it a little shakey you can go on your way, or if the individual attitude warrants it call there command and let them no. 5.Remember complacency is as wrong as not correcting the infraction in the first place.6. last remember they are wrong not you, period!

I would have most definately gotten her name, asked where she was stationed, identified myself, make the correction and remind her that she is the image that people will relate to the Army. I wouldn't dramatize anything in public but I certainly would be calling her command post to find out who I could contact to discuss her attitude and her disrespect for the uniform.

ONCE YOU IDENTIFIED WHO YOU WERE, SHE SHOULD HAVE BEEN PULLED TO THE SIDE, THEN SHE SHOULD HAVE CORRECTED HERSELF. I AM A FORMER MARINE. IF A SUPERIOR APPROACHES YOU AND INFORMS YOU OF A DEFICIENCY, WHETHER THEY LIKE IT OR NOT, THEY NEED TO COMPLY AND FIX IT OUR DEAL WITH THE CONSEQUENCES. SHE WILL DO THIS AGAIN BECAUSE THERE WEREN'T ANY CONSEQUENCES TO HER ACTIONS. SHE MADE THE ARMY LOOK BAD. SHAMEFUL! DO NOT BACK DOWN BECAUSE YOU FEEL SOMEONE IS GOING TO CAUSE A SCENE. ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE IN THE RIGHT!

Tanya Faith O'Bannon