What do you do when a soldier refuses to listen to your directions?

Couple of ways to handle this but it must be addresses at the time of incidence. One respectfully remove the sunglasses from the soldiers face and hand them to him if knowing the personality of the soldier. Some do for attention and they just might get the attention they deserve. Two ask the soldier to remove their sunglasses willingly. Soldier refuses pull from the formation have a quick one way conversation with them and then with a higher from the chain of command to reinforce and witness the actions of the soldier. Next knowing the soldiers personality as a trouble maker or having a bad day, reassure them of the ramifications of being a soldiers and to follow the chain of command. This will tactfully get the. Back on track or help them on their merry way with a lost of rank, promotion, benefits, and best of all pay.

Don't be so quick to jack up someone's career. You need to take the time to find out the problem with the member. Sometimes they are going through something and the only way they know how to deflect whatever they are going through is to act out like a child. Pull the individual aside and talk with him/her. You just might find out something about them that you can really assist with. We as NCOs need to be a little bit more compassionate and gentle. I assume the individual is your subordinate? You don't have to hold their hand but you do need to listen and watch more closely. We are having too many of our soldiers committing suicide for the very same thing that you are trying to do....mess up their career.

Counsel using regulatory guidance and your power and authority as a a NCO. If the Soldier is not yours make the correction and contact their supervisor.

SSG (Join to see)
This is actually a sign of a bigger problem. If you're in formation and he is refusing in front of other troops then officially it is: "Conduct Prejudicial To Good Order And Discipline", which is a major offence against military law.
If the soldier disrespects your authority directly in front of soldiers? Article 15, reduction in grade. First time I did that in Europe when in 11th ACR, when one of my NCOs bought a similar problem up for a repeat offender, my commander considered it bad enough he recommended the soldier for a field grade Art 15. At the time, I was just a lit' bit (to say the least) surprised. I inquired as to the escalation.
The CO said the soldier had conducted previous 'challenges' to that SGT and other NCOs. He saw that it was effecting the 'good order and discipline' of the Troop. He was glad I had stepped up (since I was new) and carried the NCOs recommendation forward. That he had been waiting for an opportunity to officially address the issue. It seemed that since he had taken command a month before (two weeks longer than I) the LTC had briefed him about the problem and wanted him to solve it. He had tried to avoid non-judicial by 'being nice' but the majority of the troublemakers had been undisciplined for a long time. He had given a couple of Art 15s but the effect was nil.
The LTC took the soldier and at the advice of JAG summoned a special court-martial because of the official place and the possible number (the whole squad and two other NCOs and their 3 man details) of witnesses. The soldier was reduced from E4 to E1, received six months confinement and forfeiture of two-third’s basic pay per month for the six months.
The effect on the unit's discipline was profound. Soldiers acted better. The NCOs and officers (the 'Leaders') who had been letting it ride, tightened their own discipline up. The soldiers started to take pride in themselves and their Troop. Realistically the action taken against that soldier - who was clearly in the wrong - started the process. The unit, which in my opinion, had been real shaky, within 2 months was on time, at place and fulfilling their duties/jobs correctly - as a unit. It's all about leadership - which also requires enforcing warranted discipline.
At the end of six months, I escorted the soldier back to our garrison. The Army saw fit to keep the soldier and about a year later he received an honorable discharge. He elected to ETS, but about two years later I got a call while I was at FT Knox because he needed some statements about his improvement so he could be waivered to return to active duty as he was a Bronze Star holder.
1. Think about what you're going to/need to do.
2. Identify the sources of the problem.
3. Make your plan.
4. Discuss it with your leaders.
5. And since you have missed your mark. Give the soldier another opportunity to correct himself and if he doesn't then carry your plan through.
6. If your command won't back you? Go to the CSM (he handles NCO assignments for your unit) and formally request a transfer based on the above. Even if you don't get transferred their will be some strong winds scouring the area. People pay attention to CSMs.

This is the kind of thing that causes me to devour their soul.
While every situation is unique and I prefer a custom approach to each event to keep them guessing, rest assured that those sunglasses would no longer be mounted on that Soldier's head more than 30 seconds after the first words of correction were uttered.

Take Him & His Entire Squadron Out For An Exceptionally Long Hike......
During One Of Their Days Off.

Have to say back in my day you’d be invited into the woods at French Creek and your manhood tested. A rare event because Marines follow directions, but there’s the odd asshole. It was just understood, I grew up with some guys I thought were true tough guys, but nothing like I saw in a fleet unit. Some if these guys were scary, this coming from just a normal guy. But there was usually respect given and taken, not much bs at all, fuck up the Company Gunny would be waiting.

Company Gunny was the man, lol.

Take them to the tree line

Normally you would take them to the woodline and have a corrective training session. Add a few years and now everyone has rights so you just have keep doing counseling statements and any other paperwork and hope for the best