What are your thoughts on making on the spot corrections after service?

I never had to do it after I'd gotten out, though I did have to do it twice when I was in, once at USAF OTS, I'd been walking with my family for when I'd finished, another OT walking with with a friend had sunglasses on, despite the Commandant expressly forbidding them, I had to give him a demerit...the other time, I was getting mail at the enlisted barracks where I was assigned, we in the BOQ had to go over there for our mail...there was a younger airman with an open fatigue shirt and an open beer can, yelling across the parking lot with two more senior NCOs...I just stopped and stared...and stared...and stared...finally, one of the two more senior NCOs said to close the shirt, quiet down, and lose the beer can, that was the only time I ever had to do that for real, after OTS...then, another day, I'd been with the base commander for a day...needless to say, I was really careful to be absolutely immaculate, the base had a program for new Lts to do that, I was told to go by the O-3 I was under then...the base commander, and O-6, and I, had parked his staff car, I'd been in the front seat with him, going to a briefing for the O-9 of the installation, he got out just as a younger airman walked out of the Hq bldg with his uniform askew, the O-6 base commander called out, "Young man", walked over, the younger airman obv saluted, the Col corrected him, I couldn't hear what was said, I kept my yap shut, obv...that was the only other time I had to see anything like that...once at OTS, the Commandant, an O-6, would drive around in his staff car with the eagle plate, thank God I'd seen him one day passing me, I whipped one off, he whipped one back...then, another time, the O-9 where I'd been assigned passed me in his 3-star plate staff car, I saw him, thank God, and did the same, he whipped one back, those are the only times that sort of stuff ever happened to me, though not after I'd gotten out, as I'd said....

Parking lots like Walmart or Publix's military going to their cars without a hat on drives me insane. I just tell them that I would appreciate it if you put you're cover on. Most of the time they snap it on their head not knowing who or what I am.

I say something, after all they are representing our Nation and the Service. I say, you know in my day that was nor authorized, are you sure you are in regulation?

I have been out for about 8 years now. But I am a civilian contractor now and work around soldiers alot. I have corrected a few but always with tact or just in a friendly manner, they almost always say "Thanks sir" and correct themselves. Only once did I get cursed out, but a CSM in civilians behind me followed it up and locked him up.

Knowing that I’ve been there and done that, just with tact and courtesy, even though I’m not “out”. Tend to not tell them who I am, just smile, tap the area (cover, rank, collar, etc), and mention the correction. Only had one person look at me funny, I was in civvies, traveling in the airport on orders, and there was a navy Midshipman 2nd class in summer whites that didn’t look quite right. Looked it up, and his shoulder boards were on the wrong side (the anchor’s tail goes aft). Whispered it to him, and told him that I too had been corrected back in my days as a MIDN, and not so nicely. But, funny look, and “are you sure?” Funny thing, about that time another MIDN 2/c came up, and hers were on correctly. So, tactfully, nicely, respectfully, just as it’s been done for me when I was jacked up.

Would not do it at all. I've been out too long, 1967.

As an NCO, I make corrections, if they refuse to fix it- I go hunting their CoC. Old habits never go away.

Yes if you see something wrong and if you walk past it you endorse it. If you are in a leadership position you better know how to wear a uniform and how to handle a situation.

I am ex-army and one day I was behind a Marine and his friend in dress blues; they were going to the Marine Corps Ball. I noticed a problem his belt, tapped his shoulder and suggested he check it. They were thankful I mentioned it; better coming from me than a senior NCO.

I assume the person is a professional and knows how to wear their uniform and to conduct themselves in public. I approach them from the perspective of discretely pointing out the discrepancy in a way that produces the least embarrassment, and offer to render assistance if they would like some.

I've been thanked... and I've been told to "#*%@ off."