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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I would have asked for he ID, made a mental note of her/their names and then made them do pushups till they couldn't do more. What has happened to the Army? Afraid of hurting feelings? Maybe its the Infantryman in me but enough is enough. Do it right or get out.
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Should have absolutely made the correction. She's representing the uniform. First question I would have asked her is why is she in uniform? Was she still on duty? If she's Reserve of NG once they sign out during the weekend drill (aka Battle Assembly), they're done - meaning uniform comes off.
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Not sure about the Army but if you're in the Marine Corps it's kind of expected. If it's someone of the same rank or higher I wouldn't have said anything but if I'm a Sergeant and see E-4s and below not wearing the uniform properly or acting disorderly (within reason), you're compelled to say something with tact (of course). It would take a lot for me to have read the riot act to them even back then.
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This is a tough one.
I would suggest that after identifying the person as a soldier and validating it via having them present I.D. take down their information and report it to their chain of command, snap a few photos as evidence.
If you're near the base (which it sounds like this was) then have the S.M. call their chain of command on the spot to self report and depart to correct the situation.
And because some service members can be a little shady, if they appear to cooperate and leave, maybe find a nice bench somewhere to sit and people watch and see if they're still meandering about the mall afterwards.
I would suggest that after identifying the person as a soldier and validating it via having them present I.D. take down their information and report it to their chain of command, snap a few photos as evidence.
If you're near the base (which it sounds like this was) then have the S.M. call their chain of command on the spot to self report and depart to correct the situation.
And because some service members can be a little shady, if they appear to cooperate and leave, maybe find a nice bench somewhere to sit and people watch and see if they're still meandering about the mall afterwards.
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Were it me regardless of if she was gonna have an attitude or not I would have made her correct it and scene at the mall be damned because as an NCO you lead the way and as a SPC she is on her way up the ranks as well, so if a senior NCO can't address the issue and make a correction so she would know better, then when she gets into that position she would have done the exact same thing you did, absolutely nothing to put that soldier back on track.
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Back in the day..lol Ft Hood used to have Courtesy Patrols in the Killeen mall. Then in Korea we used to have what we called leadership walks, through the ville. Part of the duty included conducting on the spot corrections, and to prevent soldiers from acting ignorant. So yes corrective action was warranted..
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I would have asked her why she was in uniform, followed by, "If you're going to wear it in public, then wear it correctly."
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That's when you pull out your ID card, ask her to step aside somewhere off to the side. Tell her who you are and ask to see her ID card. Get her full name, unit and command info. Tell her she has the choice to: A) fix herself now, B) remove all name, rank, and Army tapes, or C) you will be contacting her command. If she doesn't want to give up the info you can always see if it's on AKO and/or use a base locator service. As NCO's, if we don't make these corrections our young soldiers cannot grow and represent as they should.
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I agree with the fact that you stepped away from a situation that could escalated out of control quickly. I also agree with the fact that an on the spot correction needed to be made, however in that case I would have, like others have commented, pulled her to the side once she answered yes and made myself known and handle it "within house". One reason for this suggestion would be the boyfriend could have misinterpreted what you were trying to do and could have attacked you as a means of protecting her. Most civilians are unaware of the standards that we, as members of the all volunteer, PROFESSIONAL Army have to abide by. I am glad and thankful every day for the those values that were instilled in me to care about my appearance in and out of uniform.
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