On the spot corrections in public; when is it appropriate?

Let her know professionally in public, don't be an A-hole!

You have every right to correct. Being both lower enlisted and Army Guard, I know it's common knowledge that she shouldn't be jacked up (especially not in front of civilians) and shouldn't even be at the theater in uniform since she is not currently called for inactive duty military service.

Anytime is appropriate, of course the audience should be minimized if at all possible. Standards are standards, if people want to complain oh I am Mational Guard and don't get treated the same (just an example) then they should meet or exceed the standards just like the rest of the Soldiers, NCO's, and Officers do. Just saying.

I heard a funny story just like that. The CSM of the KY National Guard was in civilian clothes out with his wife eating at a fast food joint and a SPC rolled up with black boots and ACUs. (It was the transition time from BDUs to ACUs). The CSM walked up to her and told her that was not authorized to be worn together. She did the old eye rolling and she asked him who he was. He said it did not matter who he was he was just making a correction. She started getting loud he just walked away. The next day he had somebody track down this SPC and he made a visit to the command. The SPC got busted and the 1SG got a mouth full.

So the story goes as I heard it from Joe.

AS an NCO you have the duty to make on the spot corrections. I think I would have tried to get her in a more private situation find out what unit she was assigned to when first started to show attitude and then contact the unit First Seargent

if you feel that making the correction on the spot is problematic especially after the given attitude she displayed, use your photo. Go up and ask her for her "Alert roster" And her 1SG's or Commanders name. If she refuses she is violation of standing orders for all US Soldiers to submit that data when asked.(accept under POW circumstances) And then take the photo and send it to her CoC. I have had the issue of walking a soldier who was in violation of AR 670-1. to CSM at Ft Hood(3rd corp). You are honor bound to correct the infraction. If she dislikes it tough! She doesn't deserve to wear it.

Yes - leadership is situational but is always there! An "On the Spot" correction was warranted!

As NCOs, it is our job to make on the spot corrections at all times, regardless of rank or location. I have corrected CSMs in garrison, soldiers standing in line at subway, and even national guardsman who work at Walmart. My wife never seems to understand why it pisses me off so much, but she has learned to deal with it. Continue the good fight. We are the backbone of the army and all it stands for.

In the Corps it is a given ... you must address this behavior.

You should have just told her that she is the face of the military and as such, she needs to hold herself to the proper standards that go with wearing the military uniform.

Call her out. This soldier is in a very public location, wearing the same uniform that I wear. You damn well better believe I'll call her out on the spot.

Disrespect for the uniform is disrespect for everyone that serves or has served. Personally I would have tried to find her unit and send it up the chain of command. Im guessing she was just trying to get in for free.

I think it's important that we continue to instill a sense of pride and accomplishment to the junior members in the military. It is an honor to be able to wear that (or any) uniform in public, and it should be treated as such. I would have made a point to correct her in private, just as SMSgt Thomas suggests. I also, however, would have made a point to notify her chain of command so that they are aware of her lack of adherence to regulations as well as her insubordinate behavior.

I agree with you SSG Robinsons with your assessment. As a older Marine Veteran I see the younger generation lack of respect on all avenues but a lot of this comes from there parents and she never respected the uniform in first place before she became a soldier and reflection of the uniform. To me it does not matter what you wear you have to understand what you stand for Army, Marines, etc.. it does not matter which service but the character of the body that inside it.

SSG Robinson,
I might disagree with how you handled the situation, but you knowing that you could have handled the situation different is why I love wearing the uniform. With that being said I have been in your situation before. The best situation I can recall came when I was an NCO. I made an on the spot correction while I was out of uniform and identified myself as an NCO and the Soldier rolled his eyes and laughed. I handed him my ID card and said I want you to make sure you understand who your talking to(all said in a calm voice and for anyone who knows me it was very difficult to do). Soldier was with some friends and not sure if they were Army or not and was trying to save face. I said if your so big and bad what is your name and let me see your ID card if you don't give it to me I am calling post staff duty and I will physically hold you in place and have you placed in confinement for dis obeying an order. (Soldier had no idea I was pulling all of that out of my A**)Soldier showed me the ID card and he was an E4. I went home typed him in AKO contacted the unit 1SG explained the situation and she asked me if I wouldn't mind coming by the unit. With all of that being said the Soldier was reprimanded for his actions. I tell you all of this to tell you to stay engaged! You may have to remove yourself from the situation but there are still other ways to make corrections even if they are not done on the spot. When that Soldier saw me monday afternoon next to his 1SG the look of panic was priceless. Get the name and follow up with the unit, use AKO use social media. I am not saying be an internet stalker, but find out who they belong too is not hard.

Look, I don't want to be disrespectful to anyone on this entirely too long of a thread on how a nasty soldier does whatever she wants..... well here it goes. If a career service member has to take to the internet to seek advice on how to properly uphold military traditions then maybe that individual need not wear the uniform any longer. We as leaders can blame the X-Box generation all day long for the disrespect and do what I want attitude but we have been entrusted to take control of the situation and mold leaders of the future, regardless of the environment. It is obvious to me that this young SPC has had weak leadership and has been allowed to think that she can get away with it. So, maybe this thread should more about the lack of intestinal fortitude to handle a subordinate rather than the female soldier.

Old NCO of mine had a favorite saying. "If you fail to make an on the spot correction, you just created a new standard"

Can't correct stupid ! And when she rolled her eyes you knew you were in an uphill battle because she has never had a real NCO jump in her 4th point of contact!

I think that's the problem with leaders today. First, you are a soldier 24/7, but never more so then when wearing your uniform in public. Especially state side. Any soldier should understand that, any it is your responsibility as a leader to ensure that happens. The simple discipline to wear a uniform properly when in public, as a representation of your unit and the military, is not a hard thing to accomplish, especially in this case. Second, correcting a soldier does not have to be an embarrassing ordeal for anyone. A simple you need to fix yourself will usually work. If it doesnt, the you ask for their 1SG. There are plenty of ways to get the job done, but doing nothing because you are afraid of a little confrontation is probably worse than her being out of uniform at the movies.

Start by saying I'm Sgt _____\ I need a word with you for a second please show her you ID and say when you are in uniform you represent the entire US armed forces, the nations finest you must always represent your self in a military manor even if you think no one is watching. There are veterans all around you all the time that wore that uniform before you and they would never disrespect there uniform. 2) regulation aren't suggestions they are standards that must be adhired to. 3) when off duty she shouldn't have been wearing her uniform to a movie theater in the first place. 4) I would have asked for her unit and found out her 1sg emailed the photo of the soldier and described the attitude given also.
NCO Backbone!!! Enforce the standard!!!