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

Anyone remember the CSM's Courtesy Patrol? They traveled in pairs with clipboards at the PX and other establishments. They certainly took notes and your CoC heard about anything you were doing wrong. I would much rather be hemmed up and corrected by a PVT to CSM than the Courtesy Patrol. That being said, the young 2LTs reaction needs a major course correction. Not sure what training institute sent him to his current duty, but they and his ROTC or Service Academy and ALL of the NCOs at said institutions failed him or her and the Army.

I would ask him what unit he is with, first. Follow-up questions is I would like to know who his Commanding Officer is; I am a First Lieutenant, so I would identify myself, so that regardless of which direction this conversation goes, if it should get worse, he cannot then in the presence of higher cry foul and not know he was wrong from the get go in many ways.

I would intently stare at the LT with eyes of fire. I could tell him I appreciate him for setting the example of an officer that's destined for a reprimand.

Well after they dismiss me I would then identify myself and pull them off to the side and then put my foot in their ass because as a NCO I enforce the standards at all times and it doesn't matter what rank the person is cause anyone can be corrected!!!!!

I had more than one of them tell me that rules didn't apply. One was dressed down by a full Colonel, the other by a Two star Army General. You never try to intimidate people in mission critical work.

I have counseled more than one young officer to grow up and earn the respect of both those under, and over him.

Rules do apply, even more so as an officer. You must set the example before you can lead. Troops will not readily follow a leader they do not respect.

Rules apply to everyone everywhere. But one should always be cautious and polite when addressing a superior officer . Plus 2nd LTs can be a bit full of themselves . I was much more humble because I was an e5 before I went to OCS. Regardless the rules apply to everyone

It is quite common to find 2LT from the academy and new in their units with this type of attitude and response. So the first thing is showing respect to the officer, next you did right to address the code violation, if in uniform. But what you do next is dependent on where he belongs, your unit or somewhere else. Out of uniform there is no regulation requirement, he is right. It is done all the time by people. Another officer is a peer and can talk to them more harshly on correction if warranted. but an lower ranking enlisted person is out ranked despite their experience level so they must be diplomatic in such situations. However, a SNCO that is different ballgame and they can and will clarify their authority and position on the matter with the inexperienced and foolish 2LT. The rules are different in reality, as we all know at schools vS regular bases. RHIP is not a myth. Higher ranking individuals get away with allot in all the branches. I didn't like it either, but I learned to pick my battles that I could win against the system. In truth, that 2LT could cause more trouble for a lower ranked enlisted person than enlisted could cause for him. However SNCO's have their own chain of command who can quickly correct such misunderstandings! My golden rule is life is not fair is Karma is a B!!! and what goes around always comes around! So if he/she does push the rules it will bite them bigtime in the future! I am a by the book kind of person but I learned there are a million regulations that we soldiers must abide and we can't know the all so I politely inform people of their ignorance as said and hope they grant me the same courtesy when I screw -up on something. You said it was a 2LT so there is automatic ignorance of regulations and proper attitude right there.LOL

Had one of those in basic at Ft Polk in the '60s..... fresh out of OCS and wanted to show EVERYONE he was a Lt..... he later died in Vietnam.... felt sorry for him because instead of respect..... he earned disrespect....When I became a Lieutenant, I tried to be the opposite.... have been retireddecades but my troops STILL call me LT.....