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

A long time ago, when I was at Infantry Officer Basic Course, while walking toward the Ft. Benning commissary, a senior NCO kindly reminded me that my sunglasses should not be hanging in the open from the chest pocket of my fatigues. I tucked them away in the pocket. A senior NCO took the time to save a new lieutenant from getting corrected in a worse way. Now, that's professional.

Back in the 80s we had quarterly team building events at the E Club when officers would attend for speakers (Steve Garvey once) or bands. The officers would have a set time when they had to leave around 6-7:00. We had a new 2LT who was having fun bonding with the troops but over indulged. When it came time for the officers to leave, he hit the head and took off his butter bars. He then came out and announced he was continuing the party as a Private. When I was able to get a quiet moment away from the other troops, I told him it’s cool he’s bonding with the troops but he’s not setting the best example being out of uniform and drinking so much. He said “I appreciate your concern, Corporal, but I’m a grown man and responsible for my own actions.” I left him to do his thing and called it a night, watching him order another round of Cuervo wearing a US Cavalry officer’s cover, circa 1870ish (no idea where he found that!). Next morning, he was hurting especially after standing tall before the Major since the word was out before the E Club closed that night. He thanked me later for trying to help and I found that he later went on to be an exemplary officer. Bottom line? Approach them respectfully to point out their error, but like the man said, he’s a grown man and responsible for his own actions. I wouldn’t push it beyond the initial correction.

i would respect only his rank, and wish him a good day and walk away defusing any futher situation. He will learn in time respect is earned not demanded.

In most cases if the officer involved blows you off take it to their unit. Remember that uniform policy is not uniform. It can and does change Commander to Commander, Unit to Unit and base to base. Take care on how and when you correct. I got a chicken crap correction at the Frankfurt O-club. I was walking my wife in the rain I held an umbrella over her not over me. A more senior officer talked behind to his wife but clearly loud enough for me to hear that soldiers didn't use umbrellas. Message fail. Also a Ft Benning in the 80's They made a policy that soldiers in BDU's could not go into fast food restaurants at lunch time off post. After a visit from the local chamber of commerce the CG quietly stopped enforcement. I say all this to tell you not to get overly self righteous about uniform policy. Use common sense to deal with other soldiers. Understand what you can and can't accomplish. That means and E2 correcting an office has a even chance of getting blown off. Unfortunate but real. As an officer the same thing can happen as soon the soldier is out of sight.

As the command master chief I would inform him that it is not a suggestion or a recommendation. Don't let this misunderstanding of the rules jeopardize your career. Now remove the headset in public.

I remember at Fort WeGotcha, I was SGT and had a E-3 real shy, Introvert type, good kid, well one day I told him to get a hair cut. My policy was always make note to follow up in a reasonable time frame, well two days later still no hair cut. He was terrified, I calmed him down and after a while he finally told me he was broke and after a while why. Seems an E-7 from another Platoon kept borrowing his money and not paying him back, I gave him the money and told him if anything like that ever happens again to tell me ! I found that E-7 shortly after and he made the mistake of thinking I was "Just" another E-5, I didn't even bother with the "In all Due Respect for your Rank" crap. I simply said "You have two choices, we find PFC XXX and you pay him all his money and tell him you are sorry will never happen again, or We find (SGM) xxxxx. He made a wise move and Paid up, from what I heard others got their money back over next few days. By that time I was sick of the ARMY BS, the way they were allowing Druggies to do their thing, the Vietnam Degrace. My first day there I was unpacking in my NCO room, SP-5 Roomie sees me going to take a shower and warns me not to use the NCO Latrine an EM was shooting up there and I'd get jumped. Well sure enough, he was still tied off when I walked in, I put him in head lock and pounded his face all the way to the Orderly Room and CQ. I still carry a scar on my chest where chewing on me, lol.

In my day, you sucked it up acted like a man and followed orders as usual.

the old saying "Let sleeping dogs lie" someone else who out ranks the 2 LT will enlighten them.

Walk away.

My response now in retrospect would be. "Sir, I am a gentleman without an act of congress."