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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1SG William Svoboda
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I think, no I know the correct answer is to 1st introduce myself and do an on the spot correction without intimidating her or causing a scene. By the picture it seems she is waiting to enter the movie so time plays a role here. Lets not forget the army values here and before anyone states or restates concern for pissing her off or her civilian friend interfering, Personal Courage is on the list. If she appears this way in public then the question is what other area of the army values does she piss on? What does the way she carry herself say about her leadership?
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SFC Unmanned Aircraft Systems Repairer
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When I am out in public and see young soldiers in uniform I automatically do a quick head to toe scan. It comes from my time as a drill sergeant. When I see something out of place I get this look on my face. My wife knows it instantly and usually asks if I really have to. She already knows the answer. I will always attempt to approach the individual in a calm quiet manner and get their attention. If they are on the move then they have a great chance of getting away because I am not going to yell across the area and I am not going to chase them down. I know I can't catch all the fish but I am responsible for the ones I get a hook into. If I can approach them, then I quietly let them know of the on the spot correction. I usually do not get any back talk or resistance to correcting the problem because I didn't embarrass them or cause them to lose face. Those that do show resistance get asked to step to the side away from their peers. They usually get more agreeable when they are not having to impress someone. I give them a much longer explanation of who I am, how they are wrong, why they are wrong, what needs to be done to fix it and what possible courses of action can be taken should they refuse to correct the issue or continue the unprofessional conduct. Rarely have I had to take a Soldiers name down and contact his unit for professional development. I usually get accurate information from them because I explain that all I need is the name off their ID and I can get the rest of the information from installation operations.
It is not always the easy path and my wife has started to request compensation for the lost of her time but I believe it is easily worth the costs to ensure Soldiers learn that they are Soldiers all of the time.
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CPT Battalion Communications Officer (S6)
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The answer is that it is appropriate to correct it every time you see it, whenever you see it, however you see it, for the simple fact that you see it. That being said, how the correction is made is what is going to have the lasting impact on that Soldier. The idea that it should be left alone is not something I agree with at all.
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MAJ Usareur Sto Chief
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This is one of those "Situational Communication" situations. I think you did the right thing by identifying the issue but after she responded negatively, the appropriate thing for you to do is to introduce yourself (name and rank) Hopefully she changes her tune and squares her self away. If the attitude continues then you crush her on the spot and when the police show up you explain the entirety of the situation her chain of command will undoubtedly be notified.
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SSG Loran Osborne
SSG Loran Osborne
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Amen, Cap!
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LCpl Steve Smith
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SSG,

I feel for you, That is just one of the many reasons the Marine Corps have the Policy of a Marine out in town wearing a Camouflage Utility uniform and not on their way to or from the base (i.e. on leave or liberty) is unauthorized, And back in my day and now if you look out of regs in your Civilian wear you will get straightened out by fellow Marines. To me as a Marine, No offence the wearing of Utility's out in town looked sloppy and unprofessional. And if said Marine did not un-Fuck him or herself right then, they would be Reported to the Chain of Command. Seems Silly or weird to non Marines but it is all about image and Marines are Anal about the Image we give.
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LCpl Steve Smith
LCpl Steve Smith
>1 y
Oh Also She is a SPC and E-4 Right...Then she should not be out of the regs she knows so well, she even admitted she was out of regs, so her being so shows Disrespect For The Uniform and what it represents. I think you should of pressed the issue. I would have. If she was a Marine, There would be no doubt other Marines would be knee deep in her shit till she unFucked herself or headed back to change, No exceptions if she did not correct herself then she gets Reported and if the Marine is a Staff NCO or higher they would also get reported.
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1stLt Joe Swatzell
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That is a tough spot. Her civilian male acquaintance would very likely have fed her attitude, because since she obviously doesn't care, why should he?
The best thing may be to get her name and unit and let them deal with it....but follow up to see that SOMETHING was done.
She is being paid 24/7, and accruing leave 24/7....she needs to be worthy 24/7.
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SSG Heriberto Velazquez
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I'm retired and I get on young troops still. I'll correct them in a nice way. I know I have no authority over them but it will make them aware they are being watched.
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CWO2 Shelby DuBois
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A few years ago I .(retired Marine..not an ex)...was passing through Atlanta Airport... On one of the big moving sidewalks going the 10 miles or whatever it was to the next concourse ... saw off in the distance a young Marine going the other way. He was in his green Alpha dress uniform... carrying a duffle bag. As we approached each other going in opposite directions and about 25 yards apart I saw that he was a bit disheveled. His coat was unbuttoned and his coat belt undone and hanging loose. His tie was loosend and top shirt button was undone. I thought.. he might be just off one of those long, boring flights, just back from overseas, maybe heading home for the first time in months.. anxious to see family and friends and not thinking about uniforms and regs.. I sympathaized for about a second..then in my best and loudest Marine voice I belted out " You better square yourself away, Marine!". He didn't hesitate to look around to see where it came from.... he knew it was directed at him.. he dropped everything and in less than 15 seconds he was buttoned up and all of a sudden just another Marine in uniform. People around me just smiled.. the people around him stared at him like 'WTF just happened.".. He'll be more careful in the future.
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CWO2 Shelby DuBois
CWO2 Shelby DuBois
>1 y
I was doing my I&I duty with a Reserve squadron and had gone to Europe via C5, but coming back, due to a bad engine.. we got stuck in Dover. We then had to make our way back commercial so we dug out our summer "C" uniforms and were playing hurry up and wait at the civilian airport. Our Reservists were a mixed bag of seasoned vets and fresh faced newbies, and, of course, we had our share of personalities. I had just sat down with our AMO and were shooting the breeze when one of our young L/Cpls sat down to read a book.. he was about 50 yards from us but he looked like he was bathed in neon. He had on a khaki shirt, olive trouser, black shoes... all good ... but all we could see was his white socks!. If that ain't a sight! The AMO (who he belonged to) made a bee line to him and grabbed him and took him to the head... He came back and grabbed his bag and went back. The kid had forgot to pack black socks... and wound up wearing a pair of the AMO's dirty black socks he'd worn the week before. He was lucky, since the AMO said he was two seconds away from plan B...a black permanent marker. The free dirty socks also came with several 'coaching sessions' for the next few drill weekends.
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SGT Ops Nco/Training Nco
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What I've not heard mentioned is that according to the most recent 670-1 the soldier was in major violation just by being in ACU's to see a movie. The wear of battle dress has been curtailed in public I would suggest keeping up with the changes in the Regs. and ensure the Soldiers have been made aware.
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SSgt Rick Glime
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What get's my attention and kind of "Grinds my gears" is her total lack of respect, first and foremost, for herself as a soldier. If you're going to wear the uniform in public, you need to be proud of that uniform, and you need to be proud that you wear it. So wear it right! The general public's perception of you in uniform, reflects on the military as a whole. Yes I would have pulled her to the side for a private conversation, but I would have given her "Both barrels". A block of instruction she wouldn't soon forget!
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