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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PFC Joseph Britnell
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What if a PFC sees an NCO breaking regs should the PFC correct the NCO and face their attitude or go quietly about their business? Because I have gotten in trouble for correcting a SGT when I was stationed at Fort Leavenworth. I am not agreeing with what the soldier done I would have even corrected her as well ( I still do that when I see military people out of regs, Seen a recruiter the other day out of regs). But I see in all the responses that all the higher ups have the I am better than you attitude. Yes the rank demands respect I get that but also treating a person with respect will get you some too. I had a hard time while I was in I did everything I was told to do but yet always got in trouble for something, I was over weight by Army standards but yet I could max out PT test but yet still had to do extra PT after shift. It is sad when certain soldiers are treated differently.... I was treated differently but that is another topic to be discussed and I would like your feedback on it when I do post because I would like to get see how higher ups would handle it and did what was done to me. I need to get it out there because it has been eating me up since it happened to me in 2001
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SSG Hub Platoon Sergeant
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Whenever I see anyone in public doing something not in regulation or making a correction, if I am not in uniform I pull out my ID card and identify myself. I then quietly let them know what I see is wrong and if they know that whatever the infraction is is wrong. I then have them fix themselves and if they start to give me an attitude that is when I start asking the questions on what unit, first sergeant, etc.... That generally gets them to drop the attitude real quick. Most of the time if you are polite and use tact the Soldiers correct themselves.
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SGT Food Service Specialist
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I would first pull her aside and then make the correction.
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SFC Ian Lumgair
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Edited >1 y ago
This is not going to be popular but here goes. What effort has that troop up to this point in her career to prove she has earned the right to be part of a proud service that requires self discipline, willingness to change, pride in self, unit, service, and country. What over-whelming need does that troop, have to show, not only does her uniform and behavior reflect who she is but, who she serves with directly, I.E. her peers. Has she gone through a trial that changes her physically intellectually and spiritually for the rest of her life.Can she truly consider that up to the point where he she it stepped of the bus a Camp OMFG and was treated to (x) no of weeks where he she did not know if she was going to make it. when she made and graduated she knew that for the rest of her life she can look at that moment and say I have truly accomplished what I previously thought impossible. Is she head a shoulders above her civilian peers in formal and informal training. does her position mean something? The fact is it does not as much as it should. Service is a privilege not an entitlement I agree get her unit information call Provost Marshall make sure her CSM knows and understands the nature and scope of how she violated regulation. But THAT IS A BANDAID fix the problem. Fix who and how you indoctrinated and train these troops and you will only have this kind of stupid problem on a rare occasion.
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SSG Loran Osborne
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Remember, both you and she are representatives, Ambassadors if you will, of the US Army in public. Her uniform violation should result in a quiet on the spot correction, perhaps in an area slightly separated from her company and yours ("May I speak with you over here for a moment?"). In the event that she still desired to make a scene, I would have noted her name and rank in full view of her, and then walked away, apologizing to the GF for the embarrassment, and then used the anecdote to educate my Soldiers. I would keep her name in case she makes any groundless claims against you to her COC, who clearly would not have the whole story until you weighed in when they asked around.

SSG Loran Osborne, USA (Ret.)
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SSG Anthony Richmond
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Edited >1 y ago
as NCO's you have a responsibility to teach the younger "SM's", just cause you dont like the rules , maybe you shouldn't be a "NCO"., now get your F-ing hand out of your pockets.
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SFC Michael Patterson
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Edited >1 y ago
I would have probably lost my mind once she rolled her eyes. My only advise is don't feel that you do not have any authority to do your job and remember there is just only so much you can legally do without getting yourself in trouble (i.e. wall to wall counseling). She clearly thinks that you can't do anything to her however she needs dose of reality. The guy she was with is probably her NCO based on the fact you're at CP Humphreys in S. Korea.
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SSG Don Waggoner
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I guess minor infractions don't and didn't bother me too much. I kind of took people having to make minor corrections in non-duty situations as being on power trips. I don't think you should abuse the uniform, blouse open, cap askew, flip-flops instead of boots, or denigrating the uniform and service by being drunk in public, getting in fights, or committing crimes. But, ear buds, hair down, not 100% shaven, hands in pockets, etc. in non-duty situations and non-military locales, not a problem for me. I don't think civilians notice it or care. My main thing is they show up for duty, properly presented, and perform as I ask, in garrison, the field, and combat. There are a lot of new rules retirees don't know about and I don't think just because you're a vet gives you the right to correct a presently serving soldier. Anyway, I see pictures and situations everyday where soldiers, both senior and junior are not the way I was taught to be and got chewed out for not being. It's tough enough being in the military. Some relaxation is needed. I say, lighten up. Correct serious infractions, ignore the others.
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1SG Joseph Kelly
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As an NCO you are always on duty. You always make a correction. If you recieve attuide, after identifying your self, you are always within reg to pull that soldier to the side and further "correct" the situtation.
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SPC Jarell Moody
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Well ssg. I give it to you for for restraining yourself because that would not have been me. As soon as she rolled her eyes it was disrespectful, distasteful and in my eyes unbecoming of a soldier. And not saying that you were embarrassed but that's what she was trying to do and I honestly would have made her feel embarrassed rite in front of her civilian friend. That's just me I guess tho. At the end of it all im out not by choice but by Iraq and I still make on the spot corrections I d not care who they or their rank if they are out of uniform and I see it it makes the entire army/military look bad. And no one will get my boots or flag spit on because they feel like being in the wrong.
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SPC Hardy DeLay
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I would have said something to her about getting herself unjacked. I lost my dream to continue to serve and would give up a limb to have the honor to wear the uniform again. My Son just stated JROTC. AFTER I gave him a copy of an IET training manual, reminding him the reason he never met his grandfather because he was KIA, and reminded him that many others have given everything so he could wear that uniform. He came in all proud of wearing his uniform but it was all jacked-up. I just about lost it but kept my cool and reminded him again of the pride he should have in those garments and what they represent. Once I showed him what to correct he looked like a great soldier. So yes, step up and step in.
HD
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SPC Kurtis Paine
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Somebody needs to give you some "on the spot correction" on your wording and grammar. I think maybe you should stay in your lane, brother. It's not your job to police soldiers on their off time. Especially when it's something as trivial as wearing a cover in a mall.
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MAJ Usareur Sto Chief
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This must be one of those ploys to get people mad huh? Ill give it to you, it almost worked........ not his job, haha......in his lane! ROFL, bahawahahahahahaha
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Maj Sicu Nurse
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First I would have introduced myself with my military rank and then would have asked for her Commander's information. I would have then informed the commander and let that person handle it from there. She's a complete disgrace to the uniform.
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PO3 Dj Tessier
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I would have asked her for her ID and gotten her name of her chain of command. then followed up with them on Monday morning.
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PO1 Rodney Bracey
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It's appropriate to make the correction right then and there but tactfully and as respectfully as possible.

I came across a sub Sailor sitting at a Starbucks with his GF while in his working uniform. Not the new NWUs but the older light blue shirt with dark trousers (2004). Prior to any working uniform being allowed for wear off base. This particular Starbucks was about 8 miles away from the sub base at Pearl Harbor.

Being in my Dress Whites I approached the Sailor, identified myself and stated that his uniform wasn't authorized to be worn at off base establishments like Starbucks. I guess he was trying to impress the girl sitting with him as he expressed that I couldn't tell him what to do. So being that the name of his Boat was on his ballcap, I simply stated being that I'm on my way back to PH, I'll be sure to stop by and speak with the COB about the situation.

The Sailor and his GF quickly left but still stopped by the boat to speak with the COB about what happened. The COB said he would take care of it.

About a week later, that Sailor came into my office at MARFORPAC and apologized for the incident.

It's ok to make a scene provided you control the scene, IMO.
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Cpl William Warren
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1) you should have asked what her mos was.
2) who she was stationed with/ what her unit is.
3) report her to her command.

It does not matter if she is a higher rank. She was out of regs and she should know better.
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1LT Maintenance Control
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I think you handled it correctly.
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SPC Infantryman
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I would tell her she looks like a bag of Dicks, I mean; sub sandwich sounds more political correct, and she probably reply: I'm in the ARMY for the paycheck.. you can't make me do it..
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SFC Lewis Johnson
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I identify your self as an NCO/Sr. NCO ask for their ID CARD and unit information. Take their pictures, facial view and see if ID Card data Center can do a Facial Recog. Time permitting, follow them and get the Post Decal number from the vehicle. Provost can provide unit info. Just suggestions.
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SGT Transportation Management Coordinator
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I have found that 90 percent of the time if you are direct and respecful, troops actually thank you for correcting them.
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