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

Since I would've been senior to the young Lieutenant, I'd simply and quietly direct him/her to remove the headphones. I'd then explain why such behaviour is unacceptable and emphasize that, as a leader, he/she is responsible to set the example and therefore is held to a higher standard.

When faced with a situation in basic training For lock and load a recruit jumped the trigger and nailed my thumb. My sergeant made me go to 2nd lieutenant and get permission to go to hospital to get my thumb pinned. Lt. asked me to wait till tomorrow and I cursed him out, due to the pain and he reluctantly acceded to my request.

Accountability at times requires tough love as they say. Soldiers (regardless of enlisted/officer) are subject to this high standard of accountability and therefore believe locating this individuals chain of command to alert them of such an instance would be appropriate.

I was a 19D, 19K30 M1A2 Heavy. Through my 10 years I spent in the Army I was either on the Company Commander or Executive officers tank. With that being said a butterball or 1st LT always had to have their ass handed to them one-way or another. Don't get me wrong I've several LT's that were awesome and cool and knew what they were doing. I've had no issues of setting there ass straight. Back when I was in the Army 83-93 2/11th ACR, 3/67 Armor, 3/66 Armor and 3/66 2nd armor division (FWD) DS/DS. 2nd or 1st LT looked up to the E5 and E6's. That was a whole different army back then. Remember this sooner or later you'll probably end up in war together. You know what I mean. War is hell and it would be on his ass if he didn't listen to what your trying to teach his dumb ass or let him take one in the back.

I would simply find out what unit he was in, go to his CO, and report him. If that didn't work out, I would proceed to go further up the chain of command. Even if that means contacting my Congressman to investigate why my report is being dismissed.

If the 2LT was not in my command, as a Master Sergeant I would not engage with the 2LT. As a CSM that would be a different conversation. I do not see the need to be a Karen every time you step out of the door - stay in your lane, If it is not your lane, then refocus your energy.

I would tell them they are probably correct as I have been around a long time and have a hard time keeping up with all the new changes, find out where they work and inquire about how they like their duty and how is the Army treating them so far? Then, when I am having coffee with the BN CSM (or the Command’s or Post’s depending where I worked) I’d bring up the subject of the new troops and get him on the subject. I’d tell him of the incident and let him take care of it.
I found that using the ear of the of the most senior person you have available, in a friendly manner, is ver effective. Do it over a regular cup of coffee and it is just discussing business. I made it a point of being invited to having coffee with my senior enlisted folks up the hall, over in the command building, or wherever they were. Being on Special Staff or letting them know I was eager to learn from them was always a boon for me.
I did on a couple of occasions made a ruffel for an over zealous 2LT and then interviewed him regarding his serious faux pas when I heard he had really dissed me…now that was fun. I tried to be professional and to treat all others professionally. I felt that it was also up to the 2Lts to learn to treat their NCPs with respect, too. We were the ones who were there to guide them.

Unless I'm just coming off duty, or am on a lunch break, I'll be doing my shopping in civvies. I'm there to shop, not to muster. But this young LT is presumably in uniform, representing his unit by the patch on his sleeve, and so on. I pull out my ID, holding a thumb over my name (but *not* my rank).

"The rules apply to *all* of us, Lieutenant, every time we put on that uniform. Let's set the example, all right?" And unless he continues to make an issue of it, I'll just nod and let him square himself away, and leave it at that.

I remember General Powell telling about the time he saw a 2lt had a PVT keeping saluting him because he failed to. General Powell reminded the Lt that a salute has two parts. It must be returned.

Politely tell them they should repeat CST

I personally don’t understand the obsession with trying to police earpeaces thst male driving safer and talking on the phone less obnoxious…BUT…entitlement isn’t a rank problem. It’s a parenting problem.

I am a gentleman and it did not take an act of congress. I would politely mention something to him.
Given his response I would do what our group did in Vietnam, take the situation to his superior officer.
Everyone has a superior.

With great power comes great responsibility...I learned early on how to get entitled Lt's to bend to my will through use of those of higher rank that I knew. Point out that I was a platoon sergeant that had an in with the Bn/Bde/Post CSM/CO usually was enough to get them to un×#+* themselves

Well being the Grumpy Gunny that I am, I would take the boot Lt aside and square him away.if that didn’t work we would be talking to the Company CO. Before the Boot got embarrassed

Open door policy. You tell your chain you are going to use it. You speak with the commander and tell them you tried respectfully to correct the deficiency and you believe you were treated with disdain and disrespect for doing so. Then let it go.

Maintain your professionalism and reiterate to the 2LT that he is outside of the regulation. I recall a random OCP in-ranks hospital inspection I was conducting in Germany. I inspected an entire platoon before arriving at the last troop. As I was inspecting the soldier, he asked me a question. He said, "Sergeant Major, were you aware that your name tag is upside down"? Talk about embarrassment. This soldier noticed an infraction with my uniform that 25 soldiers before him missed. I thanked him by giving him the rest of the day off. He was my driver. Afterward, I did what 1SG Case did. I immediately got my name tags sewn on to avoid embarrassment again. The world we live in is full of people who grew up with little to no home training. They were bullies, arrogant, stuck-up, entitled, and a**holes before they joined the service and they brought that attitude with them. It takes time to change the mindset of some people to conform to thoughts and standards that are greater than them. The 2LT is no exception. He needs to be brought down a notch and humbled. A slice of humble pie will serve him well. Just remember to remain calm, cool, collected, and professional.

He's at the commissary, during off time (on the way home from work I assume) and he's likely decompressing from being the officer's version of a private. Is this fight something that's really worth picking? Even if I were an NCO, getting groceries from the commissary and someone came up to me, I'd likely ask them if they really are that "Person" (because, pronouns) that they feel the need to be on a vigilant lookout for even the tiniest of transgressions on a constant basis? Are they the "spot-check sniper" looking for that star-spangled-awesome combat commissary engagement where they brought down another soldier? Perhaps they should create a proficiency badge, composed out of a rendition of AR 308-67 with the oak leaf wreath for all of these garrison ninjas out there.

Diving into semantics just to help frame a mindset: I recommend responding, not reacting.

Responding and following up with tact portrays the good order and discipline that our military desires, requires, and should portray.

We know that the 2LT is just beginning their military service journey, and it’s up to their team (whatever unit/service/wingman etc.) to help sharpen them for success.

If I was tactfully/professionally addressed with a correction to be made, I owe thanks to that person to have the courage and the energy to reach out to me.

A similar question was asked during our First Sergeant symposium (prior-E here). You do what’s right with moxie you have.

It’s important how you respond - you may have other junior members watching nearby learning firsthand how business should be taken care of.

Does there exist an O-1 in any service that does not possess a strong sense of entitlement?

As enlisted, just roll with it. That's certainly above my pay grade.

True story.

We got a brand-new LT from West Point who really thought he was the cat's meow. Jump wings, Ranger Tab and an ego to match, all in a heavy infantry unit.

We were on maneuvers one day and the command track I was driving ended up on the wrong side of a firing range (seems he misread the map). Now, as drivers, we had been given very specific orders from-on-high not to cross any ranges and this one was pocked with craters that had to have been 30 feet across: some really big stuff was being dropped and the range was so chewed up that you couldn't cross without going in and out of the craters. The LT "instructed" me to cross the range in order to get into position in a timely fashion. I had a bit a "discussion" with the LT about the standing orders, but after some back and forth he became exasperated and said "I'm giving you a Direct Order to cross the range." Now this was the first and only time I ever got a Direct Order, but you know: Direct Order. Yes Sir!

Needless to say, it was a bumpy ride: my squad mates were getting bounced around like ping pong balls and I was fully expecting to run over some UXO at any minute. Well, about halfway across, I got a call over the intercom that they thought the LT was dead. Turned out the command hatch had let go and slapped the LT down for the count. When I got to the LT he was babbling incoherently, so those helmets do save lives afterall. We radioed for assistance, but had to continue across before we could get to the Medevac. So, I guess there is a little bit of justice in the world.

Ps.: I was threatened with an Art15 for crossing the range, but my squad mates confirmed the Direct Order and I was promptly sent on my way. Not sure what happened to the LT with regard to discipline, but he always showed me a little respect afterwards.