Posted on Jan 14, 2015
On the spot corrections in public; when is it appropriate?
477K
2.24K
1.05K
167
167
0
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
0
0
0
I would start by introducing myself; name, rank, unit. See if member will respond in kind, and make note of information (name, rank, unit). Ask to speak in private; you can note that it is about the uniform. If okay, then speak your peace and move on with a nice farewell. If member is not certain about "speaking in private" then gently note uniform violations.
Note everything. If you get lip, don't let it bother you. Contact unit and advise of member (name, rank, after confirming Unit) uniform issues. If member seemed amenable to corrections thereof, say that, too. Stick to the facts.
Note everything. If you get lip, don't let it bother you. Contact unit and advise of member (name, rank, after confirming Unit) uniform issues. If member seemed amenable to corrections thereof, say that, too. Stick to the facts.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
0
0
0
As long as you are calm and professional, explain the deficiencies and why its important to look professional in uniform.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
She's part of a larger demographic. Thousands of people are sliding through Basic and AIT because of retention requirements by the DA. I think this is where the Marines and Air Force are better than the Army. Because they're small, and aren't fixated on sheer volume of personnel. Their focus is on quality of workers. This is just my hypothesis, so feel free to debate me if I'm wrong.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
I would’ve just gotten some information and made a few phone calls on Monday. I’d let her supervisor handle it.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Makes no matter what race she was she should have been corrected. Rules and regulations are not for convenience.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
I definitely would have said something. Regardless of duty status, a Soldier is tepresentative if their branch of service and of the country as a whole. Looking cute is not a goal of regulations. By not correcting the flagrant violation you inadvertently set a new standard for her. If you know you are right, make the correction.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
While on Liberty I couldn’t wait to get into civvies. The only exception was in Australia. Where half of my uniform was missing and soiled by the time I went back in the ship. The Chief at the quarter deck knew we had a good time. Didn’t give us crap as long as we made it back.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
I would have yelled out “WHAT THE F—K!” Across the mall! And proceeded to either smoke the sh— out of her or beat the sh— out of her, either way I’m getting my sh—! JK.....after a good amount of time on AD and recently joining the Guard, I’ve learned they really don’t care. One day I watched a senior NCO walking around the armory several times, with no head gear, no top on, talking on the cell phone. My immediate thought was “what have I done?” No standards.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
You don’t check your Standards at the Front Gate; as an NCO you are Duty Bound to enforce the Standards both on and off Post. Now, how you enforce those Standards Off Post depends on how that Soldier responds. Being Off Post I would go with the subtle approach but going all out Drill Sargent is still an option.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
I now work for a nation wide travel center. I was a 88M and still drive today. Every now and again a Reserve or Guard unit will come thru to fuel their vehicles on their way to or out of NTC Ft. Irwin. I have been out for many years and was a NCO. I will still correct these troops as they mull around the travel center grabbing pogie bait. I don't go out of my way or single anyone out. Some of these folks are walking around looking like a duffle bags.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
I have a hard time understanding this mainly because off duty I couldn’t get into my civies fast enough! By my second year I still had one pair of my old basic issue boots that I wore if I was going to work on my car or explore an outdoor park, and that’s as far as I went with pieces of uniform in public except for the few times during lunch or immediately after formation I had to pick something up off post, in that case it was full uniform and I either went back to work or back to the barracks and changed after that errand. I wore parts of my BDU uniform minus rank insignia after I discharged while doing chores around home
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
In a situation like this I would be concerned you might get jumped by her “civilian male acquaintance” especially if she’s home on leave in her old neighborhood. Better to play it safe.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
I was in the regular army from 1986-1990. I was kicked out for alcohol rehab failure. I quit drinking in 1996 and in 2005 they raised the age limit to get in so I went to see a recruiter went through the meps but they said there wasn’t anything they could do because of the RE3 on my 214 and told me to try the national guard and I got in and deployed to Iraq within 6 months. I mentioned Army Regulations to my 1SG and he told me “Army Regulations are just a guide!”
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Try to correct if that doesn’t work ask for her unit information and military id as an NCO she cannot refuse notify her command with a pic of her she is in public and that is a blatant violation of reg the second she admitted she knew all niceties should have been shelved
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Suspended Profile
Hell I’ve been retired 5 years and I would’ve corrected that young SPC!
0
0
0
As an NCO it is your duty and responsibility to correct all soldiers that are in violation of any and all Army regulations. You should have shown her your ID card pulled her to the side and made your on the spot correction. Because you did not do that you are in violation nd derelict of duty and conduct unbecoming. You can not blame young soldiers for violating anything if you yourself are and lact the tact and sense of duty. You are soldiers act like it.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
As a retired vet and a NCO you as to speak her in private. You then ID yourself full name and rank. You explain the violation the as for her full name, rank and unit she is assigned to. You then report it to your chain of command.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Back in the eighties,
One of our NCOs out of Ft Harrison made a on the spot correction in Covington Ky
The local police cited the NCO for harassing the person. Charges were dropped by station chief.
Anti Vietnam, soldier were still in the air.
Police report said the person being corrected looked in fear for his life.
One of our NCOs out of Ft Harrison made a on the spot correction in Covington Ky
The local police cited the NCO for harassing the person. Charges were dropped by station chief.
Anti Vietnam, soldier were still in the air.
Police report said the person being corrected looked in fear for his life.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
-
Ask questionGet expert advice and
tips for your questions. -
Post updatePost pictures, personal updates, plans, or anything you like!
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google 
