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

As a Chief, we're taught that we are to lead Junior sailors, and mentor and train officers. I've encountered more than a few Jo's with strong wills and bad attitudes. Sometimes, the best way to correct bad behavior is to have a private conversation. No matter how insignificant the action, wrong is wrong, so if you see behavior that you don't think is right, make sure to address it quickly, and privately. For any good SNCO, that means developing tact and explaining the "why" behind the "what". Sometimes it doesn't go as planned. I had an officer who I worked for who was extremely quiet during Commander Update Briefs. We were exercising in Hawaii, and the generators matched this Officer's tone and drowned out every word he said. Despite our O6 Captain asking him to repeat himself frequently, he didnt adjust his voice for volume. I pulled him aside and advised him that he wasn't being heard and that he needed to speak up to ensure the Commander had a clear understanding of the message he was conveying. He shrugged it off and told me he was being perfectly loud enough. I argued the point, albeit professionally, and he continued to speak quietly at the future briefings. I wasnt successful with him.

Conversely, I had a young LTJG who I worked for as an SEL (he was an OIC of a det of 30), who was a spitfire. The guy had a tendency to go high and right whenever something didnt go the way he wanted. I pulled him in and explained that his temper was causing an issue for our junior guys and it was causing him to lose effectiveness in his command. He took the reproach and listened. He asked that each time I see him losing his cool, to let him know. Each time going forward, I would see him catch my eye when he would just about get out of shape. After a while, I didnt have to say anything, he just caught my gaze and adjusted fire based upon my facial reaction to his tone.

The first officer retired, his rank terminal.

The second officer is going strong, and is very likely going to put on O4 soon. He's developed into a great officer and has learned to manage his temper.

Sometimes, speaking up has an effect, sometimes it doesn't. Our individual commitment to each other, one which strives for continued development and improvement, has to be exercised regularly. You never know how it's going to turn out.

1. He's blind and listening to a book about Risk Assessment
2. Working and earning a commission = wearing a headset while shopping
3. You don't need to do anything; he'll get what's coming
4. The new TOOL Album!

Wait for when you guys do land navigation. When he asks for help, tell him that different land nav rules apply to them as an officer

Be as polite as possible, but correct the problem. If the person in question, be it 2Lt, PFC, or bird Colonel refuses to correct it, make note of the situation and walk away before it becomes your problem.
As a SPC4 in the National Guard, I had my fuel Hemmet set up to refuel trucks at the end of annual training. There was a long line of trucks waiting. A Major in a hummer rolled up demanding that I stop fueling a truck, and fill him up. I told him that as soon as that tank was filled I would get to him, but that he would either have to put out his cigar or walk 200 ft away while I was fueling. He got up in my face and started screaming at me that lowly pukes like me don’t tell officers what to do. I got lucky that our battalion CO, a newly promoted O6 heard the whole thing. He ate that major a new asshole!

One of two things would happen (assuming I am a Jr. Enlisted soldier and not a CW3), Plan A, find the first Officer or Senior NCO and ask them for assistance in this matter or plan B, if I knew his unit I would snap an image of said LT, and ensure his unit got a copy of it along with a note on how you attempted to correct his/her transgression and they effectively blew you off. As a CW3...I don't think I can print what my action would be...lol

Move it up his chain of command

Approaching this Butter Bar with respect, I would calmly, firmly and dutifully explain that I have worn this uniform since before he was in grade school. I'm here to tell you the rules do apply to you and that it is my duty to correct your behavior.

I respectfully ask for the name of your commander. Here is the name of my commander. If you do not make yourself right or refuse to give me your commander's name, I will make it my job to have your behavior corrected. Since I have more than twenty years of honorable service, I have nothing to lose. You on the other hand, may want to consider your future... sir.

To start with, a 2LT has a collage education but that don’t mean he has any common sense. I’ve seen both in officers and enlisted. First is to segregate the OfficeR or enlisted from the surroundings. Many “act out” for attention or to establish their position. This already is a bad situation. So separation is key. Many will not act the same one on one. If it is a one on one situation, and I’ve experienced, I told the officer in a tactful way, “sir, I find your actions unbecoming”. Yes, I had one become more irate. So from there I let it be said and when through the chain of command. Don’t get in a contest with rank, make notes, go through the chain of command and I’m sure it will be resolved.

The part I don't like about this tread is as usual, we all like to bash 2LTs. Just about every story has to do with a failing LT. To me, that is an unprofessional bias and a correction many need to make. (Since we are on the topic of making corrections) Being a new LT (Ensign) in any service has got to be the most difficult transition any soldier makes. Likely the most educated in his/her unit but the least experienced and still ultimately responsible for the success and failure of his/her unit/platoon. So, a 2LT is an easy target and that is why your stories focus on them (IMHO) because each of you feel superior and some are jealous of the rank and privilege. As someone rightly pointed out, perfection is not a rank. We all strive to be the best we can everyday, or we should. So, IMHO this thread should be about the proper way to make a spot correction of a superior, regardless of rank and not focus on a 2LT. And the bottom line there is to be professional. Respectfully state your case. If the superior does not want the advice, don’t lose sleep over it. Especially if they are not in your COC. Stay on the high ground. Let them have the low ground. You have done your job and provided advice (hopeful sound). It is up to the superior to make the decision to take it. Secondly, never forget that every 2LT is a potential Company, Battalion, Brigade Commander, and on up. Higher level commanders are not born, they are made and nearly every one starts as a 2LT. A good NCO will help to professionally groom new officers. If they aren’t they are failing. I still remember my first PSG and 1SG. They both took an active interest in my development and did more than some of my Company Commanders. Those were the NCOs looked for when I became a Bn Cdr.

An E-2 is more of a problem as he is more of a permanent addition to a platoon. You can smoke and E-2. On the other hand, a butterbar's addition to a platoon is usually much shorter, as few as a few days, but serve a rotation with your platoon of about six months to a year before they rotate him somewhere else. We have had good butterbars and bad butterbars. But our NCOs knuckle down, practice discipline and find a work-around. All of us know the butterbar will be gone before we know it and replaced by someone else. In life, and even in the Army or Marines, you will be faced with and deal with so many different kinds of leadership. Some good, most okay, and some bad. Never forget your butterbar is being rotated through your unit and whether you like him or not, he is still CO. The platoon has to be good enough to shine past his immaturity.