Similar to the E-2 question, how would you react to a young 2LT who is being unprofessional with a strong sense of entitlement?

I worked with a unit at Camp Pendleton in 1969 who's primary function was training brand new Second Lts to be platoon commanders. We had an over abundance of brand new officers, some of whom felt they were entitled to respect without earning it. Two instances come to mind from those days. One involved a young butter-bar who turned and chewed me out in his best imitation of a Drill Instructor for failure to salute a "Superior officer." When I pointed out that he was displaying no rank insignia (We wore all rank on collars or shoulders in those days and he had neglected to pin his bars on the epaulets of his field jacket). He pulled open his collar and displayed the bars on his blouse collars with a huff and an ugly stare. I snapped to attention, offered a crisp salute and a "Good morning sir!" then turned and continued on my way.

The other was in the company of a Master Sargent with a detail that consisted of a half dozen Marines all (including the Master Sargent) with our arms completely full of boxes of supplies we were moving up to the headquarters building. As we passed a spanking new 2nd Lt. the Master Sargent said "Good Evening Sir!". The kid commenced to chewing us all out for not offering the proper salute. Ok, you have to know where this was going. Master Sargent set his boxes on the ground and I'll never forget the first words out of his mouth: "Boy, I was in Green when you were in diapers!" and he commenced to giving a lecture on proper military etiquette, including chapter and paragraph, which he concluded with a crisp Marine salute, picked up his boxes and led us off to our destination.

While it is true that we respect the rank, not the man, much better leaders are the ones who demand respect through their actions and treatment of the ranks, and not by simply putting on the uniform.

Go find someone who outranks him and that actually gives a shit about regs. Then stand back and watch.

You should only write checks that your ass can cash. As a 1SG I can cash a pretty big check. I would make sure he corrected himself before I left.

I saw a Lt. show disrespect to an old Vietnam GySgt. Big mistake. I was looking for a place to hide. Then, I heard the GySgt voice. "Cpl Morris?" Yes GySgt. "Go get that 2.5 ton and meet me at the back of the chow hall." I GySgt!

"Well, sergeant, first of all I have a bachelor's degree and..." "Well, Sir I have a Master's degree". I hard that one before.

Only had an issue with one young 2nd Lt. we had a little heart to heart talk, he saw things in a different light afterwards.

I would look for the ring

I assume he's in uniform. You don't talk to him in the first place. Go back to work and report the observation to the Sargeant Major/First Sargeant.

Been there and done that. "Excuse me sir my I remind you that...". I was told it was none of my business. Being a Senior Chief Petty Officer I asked the "gentleman" very quietly if he would like to discuss the matter in a more private setting. He was fabigasted and asked why. Note, we were both in uniform at a Exchange mall. I put my hand on his shoulder and quietly whispered that i would glady accompany him to the Command Duty Officer and there he could explain why he was behaving in a blatant manner that was prejudicial to good conduct and order in the UNited States Navy. He blinked and ask if I could do such a thing since I was only a senior chief and he was a Ensign. I assured the clown I could and would and if he thought I was only a senior chief and he did not have to listen, OK. Since he was a student and recent graduate of OCS. I gently said I would see him at his CO's office tomorrow at 09830. He stopped what he was doing and walked away. Next morning he was marched into his CO's office at 0830 and there his CO (an 06) and I were sitting enjoying a cup of coffee. Needless to say he learned very quickly the Navy adage "listen to the chief". I anly hope he really learned from the incident. Maybe the tears he shed helped. SCPO(SW) USN Ret.

One thing to keep in mind, officers are only as good as the senior NCOs who trained them as 2LT or 1LTs. Being a senior NCO is more than being a mentor to your suboridnate. It’s being a mentor to junior officers. A senior NCO will find a solution to fix the situation. It’s what they do. We have to bring these future leaders up correctly. This young officer could be your future brigade commander. His effectiveness could stem from a simple on the spot correction about headphones in uniform.