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
I would have punked her.....I would pray that a pvt would challenge me in public hahahahahaha I relish in that giggles
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I have had this issue several times in the past. Fortunately for the offender, my ex-wife pulled me back and insisted I didn't "harass" the offender. Last Sunday I was at BWI when I saw a group of Airmen returning from deployment. They had been drinking and a couple of them were punchy and rolling around on the floor acting like fools. I was not in uniform, so I pulled out my ID card and pulled one of them aside and told him he better get his Airmen under control. I hated to do it, I know we've all been deployed and I understand the celebratory mood, but (as I explained to the Airman) there is a time and place for everything.
I believe in your case you probably should have followed through. Once you start the correction, might as well finish it. No sense "half-assing" it. She saw you walk away midway through the correction, and took it as a victory on her part. Now she thinks she can get away with more.
I believe in your case you probably should have followed through. Once you start the correction, might as well finish it. No sense "half-assing" it. She saw you walk away midway through the correction, and took it as a victory on her part. Now she thinks she can get away with more.
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If you're not in her chain of command or unit I'd think you didn't have enough to do. Most people have no clue and in some cases it's rather nice to blend in a bit more.
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Suspended Profile
You were a SSGT? Nice to blend in??? You don't have to?!?!?! Sweet lord.
SSgt David Love
Professional Image Award, Distinguished Graduate, Drill Team, I could nit pick people's crap all day but like I said, when you have enough to do, you're taking care of your team and your team takes care of you. If someone is making your unit look bad, then you help them up to unit standards.
I've always suspected those that go out of their way to nit pick people's crap in public have some inferiority "small appendage" narcissistic complex going on. Either you're not taking care of what needs to be or you need to work through some issues, perhaps apply for DI/TI school so you'd feel more at home. ;)
I've always suspected those that go out of their way to nit pick people's crap in public have some inferiority "small appendage" narcissistic complex going on. Either you're not taking care of what needs to be or you need to work through some issues, perhaps apply for DI/TI school so you'd feel more at home. ;)
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Soldiers should avoid doing things in public in their duty uniforms. The potential for being the target of an on-the-spot correction serves as a reasonable and adequate motivator to change when possible. Every single thing we do in that uniform makes our actions more than our own, so going to a movie becomes official business. As such, it is subject to all of the obligations inherent thereto. In fairness though, it might also be noted that the obligations of the NCO may not continue when the authority is not worn on the same uniform. We NCO's know that we are never free of our obligation to maintain order, discipline, and the respectable presentation of our uniform, and as such, if she does not want to be hassled, she should bring a change of clothes. If she is on duty, she is out of uniform and in dereliction. If she is off duty she needs to change.
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The correct answer is anytime is appropriate for on the spot corrections. What the new generation of Soldiers needs to understand is that whenever they are wearing something, or saying something, that associates them with the U.S. Armed Forces, they are an Ambassador for whatever branch they are serving in. Their failure to adhere to the standards is setting a poor example for whatever group of people they happen to be around. We are supposed to be professionals, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines 24-7, not just when we are in uniform. Any actions taken by individuals associating themselves with the U.S. Armed Forces are taken not as actions of an individual, but that of the entire Military community.
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I made on the spot correction all the time. I walked up to the person with my ID out and ask for theirs. I f they said anything negative I ask for their commander's name. If you love the uniform then as an NCO you must defend it. Unwanted heat comes with the leadership role.
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i would have corrected it then and there 99% of the time the second you tell them your rank their attitudes change.....just the fact that she rolled her eyes about it is sad though.
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i do have a question concerning this topic. if you are a lower enlisted do you still have the authority to correct an NCO who is all screwed up?
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PFC Murrell Sawyer
yes as long as its within regs. (i.e. no being disrespectful ) i corrected a 2 star once and he even thanked me for it!
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PFC Michael Cooper
yes, you have the authority to address any rank who is out of regs, but just do so respectfully and extend the proper customs and courtesies when addressing people of their earned rank. i.e. sir, ma'am, sergeant etc.
my nco's used to say. if you are a leader, and you don't enforce the standards. you've created a new standard.
my nco's used to say. if you are a leader, and you don't enforce the standards. you've created a new standard.
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You should have reported the incident to the G-1 and gotten one of those mad ARCOMs for yourself.
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AR670-1 does not have an expiration time and date as far as I know. Long time military veteran and retiree but I ain't been gone that long. I have made these on the spot corrections before and always with tact and consideration for the person and the loved ones they may be with at the time (EVEN before Iphones). I always approached them with proper etiquette and pulled them to the side when speaking with them. I never had someone roll their eyes at me, maybe after I left but I stayed til they fixed themselves. I am proud of everyone who serves and puts on the uniform, but always make sure it's done correctly. Too many fakes out there now.
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