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.
Regulation
Mentorship
Leadership
Professionalism
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 709
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Next time I would find out what unit she is with (before asking about the violation) and then call her commanding officer. Let him/her take care of the situation. Just my thoughts on the matter
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Speaking on verbal corrections, ill share an experience of my own.
I was at a gas station heading toward our weekly ROTC meetings, when i noticed a Captain walking from a pump toward the store as well. I noticed he wasn't wearing his PC and our cadre always taught us to police that kind of stuff up, so i figured i would mention it. The response i received however was a simple "Shut up." Not what i had expected, and cadets typically seem to be frowned upon by most, but i dont think i was necessarily wrong in mentioning it to him?
I was at a gas station heading toward our weekly ROTC meetings, when i noticed a Captain walking from a pump toward the store as well. I noticed he wasn't wearing his PC and our cadre always taught us to police that kind of stuff up, so i figured i would mention it. The response i received however was a simple "Shut up." Not what i had expected, and cadets typically seem to be frowned upon by most, but i dont think i was necessarily wrong in mentioning it to him?
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SSG Monique Endriss
No, you were not wrong and his attitude and behavior is unbecoming an officer. You should have contacted his CO. That kind of attitude spreads like a disease and I don't care what rank you are, wrong is wrong!
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The hair is definitely out of regs, as is the wearing of ANY headgear indoors while not under arms. I agree that an NCO should correct the soldier on her uniform. My question is about the reference to the fleece cap as a "PT cap". I've been retired for a short while, but last time I checked that headgear was authorized to be worn with the ACU uniform. Has that changed? I know some people don't like it and some commands have policies about it, but have actual Army Regulations changed so that wearing it is against regs?
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If an NCO has to ask "when is it appropriate to make a correction to a Soldier whether they out rank them or not", then they shouldn't be and NCO. I have embarrassed my own family to the point that they walk away from me when I spot someone who needs to to corrected. Regardless of the the offenders rank I will ask them if I can see their ID card as I am pulling mine out in order to identify myself. I then ask them if they are familar with the regulation they are in violation of if not I tell them and ask what unit they are in so that I can contact the Soldier's 1SG or CSM so that they can deal with their Soldier. I have sent several Soldiers out of a civilian movie theater as shown in this picture because they too were in uniform and it was against Ft Riley Policy to be in the theater while in ACUs.
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I would have made the correction pull her to the side and just let her know she is wrong and make the correction.
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SSG (Join to see)
On the spot corrections are always appropriate in public. If you let it go you have a stablished a new standard.
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I would've knocked her boyfriend out and then gouged her flippin eyes out for rolling them at me.
But in all seriousness you should have made the correction. Show her your ID card, introduce who you are and correct the situation. If she doesn't like it, then maybe she should've changed out of her uniform before she went to the mall. If she still gives you attitude, then either get her unit and notify her chain of command or if they refuse to do anything about it then report that unit to that state's Adjutant General (if it's a National Guard unit). Either she'll be reprimanded or that unit's commander will be reprimanded and I guarantee that if the commander get in trouble then her ass would be as well.
If you put on the uniform of a Soldier, then you will wear it with pride and within regulations.
But in all seriousness you should have made the correction. Show her your ID card, introduce who you are and correct the situation. If she doesn't like it, then maybe she should've changed out of her uniform before she went to the mall. If she still gives you attitude, then either get her unit and notify her chain of command or if they refuse to do anything about it then report that unit to that state's Adjutant General (if it's a National Guard unit). Either she'll be reprimanded or that unit's commander will be reprimanded and I guarantee that if the commander get in trouble then her ass would be as well.
If you put on the uniform of a Soldier, then you will wear it with pride and within regulations.
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When I was in the Navy and had to check a sailor for a uniform infraction, attitude you name it public or on base. If it was in public I would try and be discreet on base in uniform we got a understanding really quick and the bad thing was I was over CMAA so after NJP they would come to me for 45 days of re instilling of military bring. and of course Honor Courage and Commitment.
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I have dealt with something similar to this and yes of course it was a traditional guardsmen. Me being active duty and yes of course they had attitude. I simply just got their name and had a nice conversation with his 1Sgt, SNCO to SNCO. Pretty sure he was corrected as his 1Sgt was livid. You have the name, call her command.
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In a foreign country, out of uniform, representing the United States. Get here name, get her unit, and get it to her 1SG. If I had a report like that of a soldier of mine there would be consequences. This was a blatant disrespect for the uniform and her affiliation with the US Army.
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