Posted on Apr 8, 2015
What would you do if you saw a more senior military member acting unprofessionally in public?
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I've witnessed some service members being absolute jerks to civilians. My one time traveling in uniform (wasn't my choice) I witnessed two separate gentlemen both out of uniform, one demanding a military discount at a BK that didn't offer the discount, and another yelling at a gate check agent and flight attendants because they wouldn't let him board the plane first. (He was listed as group 5)
Would you step in? I feel like as a uniformed (or out of uniform for that matter) member of the military, it is partly my responsability to try to step in and calm these kinds of people in situations where they are clearly representing us with poor tast. Maybe it would help them come back down to earth to have another service member try to calm them down instead of civilians (who they clearly feel are inferior at these moments.) of course I wouldn't jump in and start yelling back, that's not a good image either, but I could at least try to calm them down.
But here is my hesitation, both of these people clearly were older gentlement, most likely a soldier and a marine, probably junior NCO's. An I'm over here in my ABU's and my adorable little "masquito wings." Would it be appropriate for me as an E-3 to step in when it's an NCO being belligerent?
Or should I just stand back and watch? Which I admit is what I did in these cases, I was honestly just in shock, and extremely embarrassed to be in uniform around these people.
Would you step in? I feel like as a uniformed (or out of uniform for that matter) member of the military, it is partly my responsability to try to step in and calm these kinds of people in situations where they are clearly representing us with poor tast. Maybe it would help them come back down to earth to have another service member try to calm them down instead of civilians (who they clearly feel are inferior at these moments.) of course I wouldn't jump in and start yelling back, that's not a good image either, but I could at least try to calm them down.
But here is my hesitation, both of these people clearly were older gentlement, most likely a soldier and a marine, probably junior NCO's. An I'm over here in my ABU's and my adorable little "masquito wings." Would it be appropriate for me as an E-3 to step in when it's an NCO being belligerent?
Or should I just stand back and watch? Which I admit is what I did in these cases, I was honestly just in shock, and extremely embarrassed to be in uniform around these people.
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What Would You Do
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 11
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SSgt (Join to see), there is a lot you don't know about these people that make it the correct choice to not impose yourself into these situations.
These two individuals, who may or may not in fact be in the military - by their conduct, I have doubts for both of them - are attempting to earn perks through their service. In the Army, our NCO Creed states that we will "not use our grade or position for pleasure, profit, or personal safety". Although the civilian world has gone out of its way to try to recognize service over the past several years with these types of perks, we are not entitled to them. Browbeating clerks at counters is not how any service culture teaches us to act.
My advice: after witnessing something like this, go to the counter, let the clerk know that what just happened does not represent all of us, and where appropriate tip them as if you were doing it for both checks. It is important that the civilians involved come away knowing that all service members are good, decent people and that we give in kind gratitude for their support while they express gratitude for our service.
These two individuals, who may or may not in fact be in the military - by their conduct, I have doubts for both of them - are attempting to earn perks through their service. In the Army, our NCO Creed states that we will "not use our grade or position for pleasure, profit, or personal safety". Although the civilian world has gone out of its way to try to recognize service over the past several years with these types of perks, we are not entitled to them. Browbeating clerks at counters is not how any service culture teaches us to act.
My advice: after witnessing something like this, go to the counter, let the clerk know that what just happened does not represent all of us, and where appropriate tip them as if you were doing it for both checks. It is important that the civilians involved come away knowing that all service members are good, decent people and that we give in kind gratitude for their support while they express gratitude for our service.
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SSgt (Join to see)
Thanks for the suggestion 1SG. Unfortunately I can confirm both were active service members as they so proudly flashed their CAC's like it was a license to kill. :/
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CPT John Sheridan
Cautionary tale. In 2012, I was flying from State College, PA to Minneapolis with a connection in Detroit. The morning flight had a maintenance problem, so we were rebooked for that afternoon. Waiting to board that afternoon, they announced the flight was delayed and asked us go to the ticket counter to get our connections rebooked. I had elite status on that airline and the gentleman in the line ahead of me had the same status. He also was going to Minneapolis and was loudly voicing his displeasure in a way that questioned the parentage of the employees.
The ticket agent (he was also station chief), remained calm and polite while the gentleman cussed him up and down. The agent spent some time on the computer and finally apologized to him and told him the only way was to rebook him for the next day.
I thought, "oh well, I'm going to be here another night." The gentleman stormed off out of the airport. I handed my boarding pass to the agent and said, "I'm sorry people have to be like that. I'll appreciate whatever you can do for me." He smiled and shrugged his shoulders.
The agent tapped on the keyboard for about 30 seconds, then handed me my boarding pass as he said "thank you Mr. Sheridan, we have your connection into Minneapolis tonight and a first class seat out of Detroit. Thanks for flying with us."
Moral of the story: be nice to people who can help you out. Not only can they help you, but often it's within their power to screw you over and you might not even know you got screwed.
The ticket agent (he was also station chief), remained calm and polite while the gentleman cussed him up and down. The agent spent some time on the computer and finally apologized to him and told him the only way was to rebook him for the next day.
I thought, "oh well, I'm going to be here another night." The gentleman stormed off out of the airport. I handed my boarding pass to the agent and said, "I'm sorry people have to be like that. I'll appreciate whatever you can do for me." He smiled and shrugged his shoulders.
The agent tapped on the keyboard for about 30 seconds, then handed me my boarding pass as he said "thank you Mr. Sheridan, we have your connection into Minneapolis tonight and a first class seat out of Detroit. Thanks for flying with us."
Moral of the story: be nice to people who can help you out. Not only can they help you, but often it's within their power to screw you over and you might not even know you got screwed.
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You could try to tactfully address them and see if you could talk some sense into them but, disengage if they started yelling at you unless you wanted a confrontation that may come to fisticuffs or them trying to make you stand at ease, or something like that.
I personally would f*cking crush them!
I personally would f*cking crush them!
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I have seen it. I tried to break up a fight between one of my soldiers (E-4) with friends against another group with a fully dressed SFC. The police we called and that piece of crapp NCO took his top off and hid. I called him out the moment his top came off. As far as I was concerned he was trash. In the end I was the only person the police wanted to talk to. I was yelling at my soldier to show more respect for the police officers and that got them to notice me.
And yes I did all the right things. Contacted the chain of command and pulled my Joe from the fight and let the other dipsh$ts go at it. And corrected my soldier every time they gave any hint of disrespect.
And yes I did all the right things. Contacted the chain of command and pulled my Joe from the fight and let the other dipsh$ts go at it. And corrected my soldier every time they gave any hint of disrespect.
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