Posted on Jan 14, 2015
SSG Combat Medic
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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.
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SGT Headquarters Staff
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you should not back down. PERIOD. if you know the name of the solider you can find more info. TELL her don't ask to correct her self once then if she makes a big issue you tell her fine ill take it up with your chain of command. a spc of that moral barring should not be a SPC.
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SSG Monique Endriss
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I find it a shame that you even have to pose that question. I will refrain from calling that SPC a soldier, a true soldier would not have to be told how to wear the uniform... Her attitude, both in what she said and the way she looks, is a disgrace to the uniform and others that serve. She should lose that rank until she is responsible enough to wear it. A little extra duty wouldn't hurt her!
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TSgt 51 Fw Persec Manager
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I don't think she should be wearing her duty uniform to a movie theater anyway.
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CPO Recruit Division Commander
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In my 21yrs I have seen these things more than I would like to mention. Where I am stationed now it is more prevelant than I would like to say. I can't go to the mall on a weekend without seeing someone wearing their uniform improperly. I know that for some spouses it may seem embarrassing but if we as leaders do not make it a necessity to correct this behavior immediately then we are condoning it. When I was a young Sailor I was quick to point out someone else's deficiencies if they pointed out mine but I have also grown and learned from the mistakes of my past. Don't allow anyone to ever getaway with disrespecting any services uniform. I see uniformed members from all branches on a weekly basis and keep pictures and uniform requirements for all branches so that when they enter my facility and try to say they are wearing the proper uniform I can then correct them. Train your Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airman their uniform regs and make them understand how they can be an example of how to or how not to present the Armed forces. Make them proud to wear the uniform and to hold those accountable who disrespect it. (Drop the mic and step off soap box)
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PO2 James Kottinger
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Forget it, let her have it. You can ask her to come with you off to the side if not then we can do this right here in front of everyone. The choice is hers, but if she is going to give you a attitude then fix now along with her uniform. If she doesn't then report her butt and send her packing.....if they want to act like a punk and disgrace the uniform, then treat them like it...get in their face. Maybe they miss the boot camp treatment.
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SSG Jeff Hamilton
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The problem is the young Soldiers these days don't have respect or discipline. They know it's not right but they do it anyway. It's the same with some of the young NCO's. Back in the late 90's it was all about sending the Soldier to the boards and getting promoted. It didn't matter if they new their job or was ready to lead. The answer was the could lean as they go. Which was fine for those that were ready for a leadership position. But a long the way the one's that were not ready slipped through also. More then one Squad Leader I had to carry because they didn't know their job. Yes I got off the subject. But a leader can't instill respect and discipline if they don't have it to begin with.
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SGT Robert Southern
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As an NCO it is not only your responsibility to correct a uniform violation wherever you see, but also your obligation. She is out of uniform IN PUBLIC. If she is going to wear the uniform, it needs to be worn correctly, no matter if it's at a mall or or not. This is a situation where an NCO must find the moral courage to be an NCO and do the right thing. This person is representing the Army when in uniform and she must be reminded of such. If she gets uppity with you and speaks back to you as the superior ranking individual, then further corrections/admonitions must be administered, up and including contacting her chain of command.
This was also a teaching moment. As a SPC she may be getting close to promotion for E-5. At this point she must be made to understand she is a walking billboard for the Army. If she looks bad or sloppy, we all do. This is also not the proper attire to be wearing to a movie. When I was in, we were not allowed to wear our BDU's off post, unless going to or from post.
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SSG Bert Lillie
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wow. it is a touchy situation with a civilian companion. the companion does not know the regs. so the proper thing would be to identify yourself and ask them to step to the side. when we are out and about we represent the United States in or out of uniform and should act accordingly. the chain of command does not end on base or even in your private home. you are a soldier,airman or marine 24/7. you are required by reg to represent yourself as a professional at all times and we have a duty as Nco's to hold all personnel to the standard, even off duty or on leave. if you cannot do so then how did you get to become an nco?
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SSG Human Resources Specialist
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I agree with SMSGT, I would've definitely addressed the issue tactfully and respectfully as possible to draw less attention. The Soldier alone has a discpline issue that her direct leadership must deal with. In some instances, ask for the unit 1SG and leave it up to her COC.
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SSG Chaplain Assistant
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I agree first you ask if they are in and if they respond with "yes" then pull them a side and make the correction. This is where it can get interesting, if they take it and make the adjustments then that ends it. How ever if they decide to you attitude, then get there name off their CAC or uniform and roll it up the chain.

I was out this past weekend having lunch with my family and notice someone wearing a fleece and civilian clothes. Before I approached I waited to see the front, then I saw name, rank and branch. That is when I approached and made the correction after of course pulling them off to the side. How you approach them will impact how they take the correction.
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SrA Heavy Equipment Operator, Vehicle Dispatch
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I don't care what the other person's rank is, if you're out of regs especially out in public eye like I WILL SAY SOMETHING. I'm not gonna pull you aside either. If you disrespect the wear of such a proud uniform that some of our brothers and sisters bled and died in you deserve the public embarrassment. If you outrank me, and you wanna get into a rank war, I'll call someone that outranks you into it. Chain of command is established for a reason. I will dress you down like an E1 for the world to see if you disrespect our uniforms or our colors. If you don't wanna take it seriously get the hell out of the military, because we damn sure dont want your scumbag arse watching our backs on deployment. If you can't pay attention to little details like proper uniform dress then I damn sure don't want you at my 6 missing important signs.
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PO2 Matthew Mikulskis
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I wouldn't handed her her own ass on a silver platter. If she resisted or gave me any shit, that would of just made it worse because I would of been recording it. The reason these shit bags are allowed to persist is 100% down to people not wanting to confront them in public. YOU DO NOT HAVE A CHOICE, you must confront the person right away. Good men and women died wearing that fucking uniform
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MSG Healthcare Specialist (Combat Medic)
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I am a MSG of 32 years of service, and I have to say that I appriciate your efforts. I also realize that with the uniform changes over the years, individual pride in ones uniform has also changed as well. I could go on but I'd be preaching to the choir. Here is my advise, when correcting a soldier in today's Army, try to get the soldiers unit first. That may take some befriending at first. Once you have the soldiers unit (company and Battalion, location). Now it's just a quick phone call to their command and let them know what you observed. I would also at that time identify yourself and make the correction, if they give you additude, then inform them of your intentions of calling their command. Good Luck....
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SrA Pavements and Construction Equipment (DirtBoyz)
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I always say that we as military leaders need to have a professional influence whether in or out of uniform. Best way to deal with this incident would be to pull her to the side and professionally correct her. Any attitude she would give you would just have to swallow it up, keep your military bearing and remind her that you out rank her and that she represents the whole army when she puts that uniform on.
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Sgt Joshua Seavey
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Ok so I would say that any place any time you have not only every right, but you are obligated to correct them. I think a very polite correct with escalation of force kind of thing.

So you very politely let them know they are messed up and correct themselves. If they are know skip that step. If given attitude use your best judgment, but for me I don't give a damn where you are if you give me shit while I'm correcting you I just get real mean real fast.


Hope that helps
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SSG Shawn Perry
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I would have done that to her , whn I was home for holiday leave I had an E-7 call me out wothout giving me a chance to even remove my cover as soon as I walked in the store
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SSG Leroy Anderson Jr
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I would have introduced myself as a SSG and then pulled her to the side and corrected her
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MAJ Michel Dinesman
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Take out your ID Card, state the violation and the regulation, ask for her chain of command. No public confrontation is required. Speaking to a BDE CSM typically has some sort of impact.
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SSG Richard Reilly
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Guess a throat punch would be wrong?
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SSG Jonathan Alban
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If you were an NCO you should have (to keep it in the cool). 1)Identify yourself. 2)Ask the soldier for his/her ID. 3a)IF he/she provides one: Record name and SSN, take a pic of his/her uniform condition then figure out what unit she belongs to, and submit an art15 (with pic attached). 3b)If he/she doesn't provide with military ID: don't waste your time. Since he/she is not military (AR 670-1) "ARMY REGS" would apply.
or
grow some balls and do something about it!
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