Why are we afraid to make On the Spot corrections?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 May 2015 00:08:42 -0400

I recently fell victim to a uniform mishap- yes attention to detail, I know... My combat badge was placed on the wrong side of my Class B uniform, and no one caught it/bothered to correct me.

My point is, why are we afraid to make uniform corrections?

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made May 23 at 2015 12:10 AM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Sat, 23 May 2015 00:10:06 -0400

I have no issue spot correcting or receiving one. Polite and professional. If I am jacked up, all you will get from me is a heartfelt thank you for fixing it.

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made May 23 at 2015 12:11 AM

SGM Matthew Quick — Sat, 23 May 2015 00:11:11 -0400

Lack of knowledge of regulatory guidance and confidence.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2015 12:11 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 May 2015 00:11:54 -0400

Better to be caught by an NCO and squared away than walk around jacked up.
Last thing I'd want is to be pulled over by the Sergeant Major or worse, my commander.
I'd never hear the end of it.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2015 12:16 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 May 2015 00:16:54 -0400

I was more irritated that no one bothered to say something to me. We're not perfect, and my own lack of attention to detail is definitely to blame. However, as a member of a professional organization, I would hope that someone would square me away.

If a Junior Enlisted made the correction, all the troop would get from me is a sincere thank you, and some kudos for having that confidence!

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made May 23 at 2015 12:41 AM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Sat, 23 May 2015 00:41:41 -0400

SSG McCarthy, that is what you get when you get all touchy feely. My question would be why your fellow NCOs did not assist you.

When I first enlisted, likely while you were in grade school, NCOs took care of each other and the NCO Corps was like a firm foundation of Army Leadership. Some time in the 1990's when they were doing a drawdown for the "Peace Dividend" from the end of the Cold War, NCOs became cut throat and out for themselves. If the NCOs in you unit could not be trusted to point that out....I would watch my "6"; OR you could volunteer for the AIRBORNE, where stuff like that don't happen.

Response by SSG William Sutter made May 23 at 2015 2:20 AM

SSG William Sutter — Sat, 23 May 2015 02:20:13 -0400

I noticed that happen before. There are times I will have a mishap on purpose to help my Soldiers gain personal courage to do those on the spot corrections. You might be surprised that Soldiers make more corrections than NCOs.

Response by COL Charles Williams made May 23 at 2015 3:59 AM

COL Charles Williams — Sat, 23 May 2015 03:59:43 -0400

Yes, unfortunately I believe many are SSG Private RallyPoint Member. None of us want to look like crap, so when are not right, we need a good person to tell us. None us plan to put be wrong, but none of us are perfect.

Response by SFC Joseph James made May 23 at 2015 5:15 AM

SFC Joseph James — Sat, 23 May 2015 05:15:36 -0400

As a Specialist I saw a Colonel outside with his boot laces out and I walked up to him and said "Sir (hand salute) sorry to bother you but I noticed your boot laces. I thought you might want to know". Did an about face and moved out with a purpose. He called me back to thank me for the spot correction. He wondered why no-one inside the PX told him. It was plain as day!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2015 6:48 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 May 2015 06:48:01 -0400

The problem I always encounter when correcting is my rank. There has been times on duty that my NCO's have had deficiencies with their uniform and it pissed them off. I don't know if it's because I'm a specialist or what? So I think a lot of soldiers no matter their rank have a problem taking critique. So in my mind it's like do I correct them, or do I correct them and then in turn take a few smartass comments in return. Hmmm.... I do enjoy pointing it out though.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 23 at 2015 9:12 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 23 May 2015 21:12:14 -0400

Did you fix your uniform problem?

Response by PO1 Shahida Marmol made Jul 19 at 2015 10:37 PM

PO1 Shahida Marmol — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 22:37:29 -0400

I feel like the longer I have been in the Navy, it seems like the more you stand by regulations the less "cool" it is. People get made fun of for being "Joe." I personally don't care, it's my job to make sure my people are living at higher standards. A couple weeks ago I corrected a junior sailor on his tight dress white uniform and for his facial hair. He said, "OS1 you're acting like a real OS, right now." (OSs are known to keep a good uniform) I replied, " No I'm acting like someone who gets paid to be in a proper uniform." I made him shave and next time he wore his whites, they were much looser.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2015 9:17 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 09:17:20 -0400

This lack of attention to detail is one of the many issues that the Army, as a whole, faces. People are afraid to tell others that their uniforms are out of regulations. a lot of times, it is because that person with the uniform issue is higher ranking. The problem with that is, if a junior enlisted Soldier sees that an officer of NCO does it, than it is OK for them to do as well. In my unit, I have certain OICs that complain loudly and lengthy, about things that need to be done. Their junior SPC hears this and what does that tell him? that it is OK to complain about certain people or certain things that the Army requires? And his NCOIC is just as bad.
Personally, I would want someone to tell me if my uniform is wrong, that way I don't look like a soup sandwich in front of senior leaders.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2015 6:46 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 06:46:40 -0400

I only correct E1-E4 and NCOs in my platoon. Otherwise I follow at a distance and wait for yelling to happen. Because I want to watch the world burn.

Response by SFC Mark Loaiza made Jul 26 at 2019 4:31 PM

SFC Mark Loaiza — Fri, 26 Jul 2019 16:31:15 -0400

I was never afraid of an "On the spot correction", maybe that's why it took me so long to go to senior ranks, and become an officer. I would always get the bullshit those are my soldiers I'll take care of them, those are my soldiers I'll correct them if they need correcting! And I always said that was bulshit! It's called an on-the-spot correction for a reason. When you're wrong you're wrong and you need to be corrected immediately. Half of the ncos that said that to me were scumbags and a bunch of dirtbags themselves.