Has anyone gotten their tail chewed for making an on the spot correction of someone that was superior in rank?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 11:08:24 -0400

OTS has been covered, but I want to know if you have ever been corrected for correcting someone with more rank, whether they were wrong or right. What is your the story?

Response by SFC Aaron Calmes made Apr 20 at 2015 12:36 PM

SFC Aaron Calmes — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 12:36:47 -0400

I made an OTS correction at MEPS to a MSG that "corrected" me for not calling him Master Sergeant. When I told him the exact regulation and page of the regulation it was on the he is to be called sergeant, he told me I would address him as Master Sergeant. When I told him again I would not, he kicked me off the floor. Made himself look like as ass is all it did. I was speaking calmly and he staryed yelling as well.

Edit: For clarification it was an Army Master Sergeant making the fuss about it.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2015 1:00 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 13:00:01 -0400

I've never received anything but praise for making an OTS correction to a officer/NCO of higher rank. It's all in how you approach the individual.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2015 1:15 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 13:15:11 -0400

Luckily, my Major encourages he be corrected if he is out of order. Granted, to be done tactfully, but he still wants it done.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Apr 20 at 2015 1:17 PM

SFC Stephen King — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 13:17:59 -0400

I have never had a bad experience in on the spot corrections. It comes down to how you speak to the person you are correcting regardless of rank. When you make the correction be assertive not aggressive.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Apr 20 at 2015 1:34 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 13:34:26 -0400

Seniors should appreciate corrections, especially done in private. I appreciated it. Shipmates take care of each other. That said, sometimes an entire officer staff comes to the rescue. We had a Sunday blues inspection at Treasure Island. Problem was the Regimental Commander forgot his tie and there was no place within miles to get one.

So everyone was at the inspection, no exceptions. The Skipper had a tie. Interesting thing was the Ensign at the end of the line was proudly wearing a black sock stapled to his shirt. The Skipper complimented him on looking so sharp. So turning an oopsie into a unit event was the best.

Response by TSgt John Dias made Apr 20 at 2015 2:30 PM

TSgt John Dias — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 14:30:11 -0400

I saw it once; guy in uniform walked to his car from the PX while retreat was playing. When retreat ended a guy in civies yells out loudly (and authoritatively) to the soldier and approached him. Guy turns around low and behold he's an officer and the guy in civies salutes. I didn't catch the rest of their conversation.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2015 2:43 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 14:43:54 -0400

No, but I have corrected several Officers who outranked me (most of them put their patches on the wrong arm because they are in a hurry). I made the correction privately and professionally. All of them were thankful, because they didn't want to walk around in front of everyone "jacked up."

Response by CH (MAJ) William Beaver made Apr 20 at 2015 3:10 PM

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 15:10:41 -0400

No, but as a Chaplain I have wanted to pull my rank on occasion (but didn't) when I saw some very boneheaded actions by Soldiers who knew better.

Response by CH (MAJ) William Beaver made Apr 20 at 2015 3:14 PM

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 15:14:05 -0400

SSG, last time I checked the 'Marne Standard' we are authorized and expected to make on-the-spot corrections. The issue is I think some NCOs enjoy the power trip too much and border on humiliating guys who may or may not be part of their unit - just to show off their stripes.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2015 3:23 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 15:23:36 -0400

I was at JRTC a few years back, and my platoon had been working till very late at night, every night. It was August and we didn't get many opportunities to shower as it was. Everytime we would go back to the "FOB" the shower trailers would be empty. One night we got back a little earlier and hit the showers. The rule was 5 minutes and get out. I got to the showers and started getting ready to jump in, I brushed my teeth first and someone had been in the shower since before I got there. Ten minutes later he was still in the shower. So I yelled to "quit fucking wasting water!" He got out and come to find out it was a First Sergeant in the CAV. He was a complete douche about it. I just nodded, said roger and carried on. He is the type of toxic leader that will probably make CSM someday too.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Apr 20 at 2015 4:10 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 16:10:12 -0400

I used to work for a Colonel. One day I noticed he was wearing an enlisted EGA on his pisscutter. I asked him about it. He said "Yep. Been wearing it since I was a Lt. You're only the second person to ask me about it." And the conversation just sort of ended.

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Apr 20 at 2015 8:03 PM

SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 20:03:16 -0400

No, I've never been in such a position. I've had NCO's tell me (generally, in a group instruction setting) that correction goes down, not up.

However, my last commander (prior enlisted) told us more than once that if he himself were wrong, that we should respectfully correct him. Furthermore, we should do the same for our NCO's, and if they smoked us for it, we should take the smoking, and then tell him about it.

Response by SFC Walter Mack made Apr 20 at 2015 8:14 PM

SFC Walter Mack — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 20:14:42 -0400

Nope, but I have gotten chewed on for not correcting an officer when I was a young SGT.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2015 8:18 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 20:18:45 -0400

I actually corrected a LTC on a uniform issue last week. I simply pulled him to the side and tactfully informed him of what was incorrect. I got a "thank you" for my efforts and we drove on. Likewise I had a SSG a few months back correct me on a unit SOP I wasn't tracking. It was a polite conversation, I fixed myself and we moved on with life.

I'm of the line of thinking that your rank doesn't make you right or impervious to correction. Your rank only indicates the amount of responsibility and authority you have. I would much rather one of my troops help me fix myself than walk around looking like an idiot. Furthermore, I would suggest leaders who get offended by this adjust their perspective. Those troops in most cases are simply trying to support their leadership.

Response by SSG Warren Hall made Apr 20 at 2015 9:20 PM

SSG Warren Hall — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 21:20:08 -0400

Only once. I did however shut a CSM up once while getting an on the spot correction. While at Ft. Bliss/McGregor Range for our train up for Iraq, I ran across a CSM while comming back from the PX, I had bags in each hand and my weapon draped across my chest with a two-point sling. She called me from across the street and asked me how I was supposed to carry my weapon while on McGregor Range, which indeed was supposed to be at the ready, which because of the two-point sling, basically was. Well I answered her question and she continued to lecture me on the proper way to carry my weapon in a hostile combat zone. As she was speaking I kept seeing a (for lack of another word) gleam coming from her mouth as she spoke. Eventually I noticed that this gleam was a tongue piercing. As soon as I noticed this, I politely asked her if I could speak, she said yes, and I told her, "With all do respect, Sgt Major, before you correct me on the proper way to carry my weapon, you might consider taking the tongue ring out of your mouth". She promptly told me to carry on, and went on her way. I was actually surprised, because I figured I was going to get my ass completely chewed off after saying that, by her and my command. I did the OSC with the utmost respect, and was not angry when I said it, keeping my composure.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2015 9:54 PM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 21:54:43 -0400

"their" tail chewed?

Response by SPC Todd Hanson made Apr 20 at 2015 10:07 PM

SPC Todd Hanson — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 22:07:10 -0400

I got in my monthly counseling on how well I Corrected soldiers on the spot and got reminded to keep doing it tactfully and respectful. Once had a 1LT with his name name tapes on backwards told me thanks. He thanked me for it.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2015 10:08 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 22:08:06 -0400

I was standing Petty Officer of the Deck (or as we called it on Submarines, "Topside") and had to correct our XO on his cover and salute one morning. The Captain was walking down the pier as I was doing this and saw almost the whole thing. While my Chief lost his shit and commenced to tearing me a new one when I got below decks, later that day, our CO gave me an attaboy for the OTS...

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Apr 20 at 2015 11:02 PM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 23:02:06 -0400

Never got chewed on for making a correction. Then again, I was always professional enough and discreet enough to point out errors in private. Always tried to be respectful as well.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2015 9:00 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 09:00:00 -0400

Funny movie.. Love the Wayans!!!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2015 9:56 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 09:56:49 -0400

I once made an on the spot correction on a Soldier who was using an unbrella in BDUs. When I got closer, I realized I probably would not like the outcome of the discussion I was about to have. I corrected a COL who was a doctor. Oh well, lesson learned.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2015 10:50 AM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 10:50:15 -0400

I was a MSgt and corrected a field grade officer for wearing a crew neck tee shirt with his blues, gave him options like put a tie on, buy another shirt, get a pair of scissors. He looked at me and asked "what's the big deal?" I simply looked him in the eye and politely said "Sir, earn your salute." He got the message and corrected his uniform. For clarification, this was a 1 on 1 conversation.

Another time I corrected a new full bird for having is rank on backwards in his blues. He thanked me and that was the end of it.

Man I hated blue Mondays!!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2015 3:10 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 15:10:29 -0400

I was tempted to tell an O-3 that his Nike boots were unauthorized but my E-2 senses tingled and refrained.

Response by MSgt Rob Weston made Apr 29 at 2015 5:42 PM

MSgt Rob Weston — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 17:42:21 -0400

When needed I did, however I also ensured I was able to quote the AFI or at least knew where to find the information on the specific infraction. However never chewed for it, most of the time I was thanked for it.

Response by SSgt Thomas L. made Apr 29 at 2015 7:41 PM

SSgt Thomas L. — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 19:41:10 -0400

I was at the morale hooch in H6 at Balad, waiting for a computer to skype with my family. A guy walks in, soaked to the skin with sweat after PT. He signs in, and makes his way to one of the DSN phone booths. There's a big sign on the wall saying, "No sweaty PT gear!" Now, I know I should have been respectful but I couldn't help but blurt out, "You gotta be kidding me". He turns to me and says, "Mind your own business, *Staff Sergeant*. (emphasis his)... and proceeds to sit his sweaty butt down in front of a phone. This tells me that he knew exactly what he was doing... he was pulling rank in order to break the rules. When he left, I looked at the sign in sheet and saw that he was a captain. I seriously considered getting in touch with his command, but my time in Iraq was filled with enough stress and drama, so I decided to just leave it alone.

Response by MSG Monica Ness made Jun 6 at 2015 1:08 AM

MSG Monica Ness — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 01:08:53 -0400

You shouldn't if you are tactful/professional about. I always took the senior to the side and made the correction. It's embarrassing to bust someone out in public.

Response by CH (COL) Geoff Bailey made Jun 7 at 2015 11:50 PM

CH (COL) Geoff Bailey — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 23:50:23 -0400

SSG Private RallyPoint Member , so no kidding, there I was...

My first day in a new unit and fresh out of PLDC, and a gaggle of Soldiers were smoking and joking by the barracks stairwell. One Soldier had his sweat top unzipped down to his rotund abdomen, his headgear was in his hand, his pants halfway down his forth point of contact, and one hand in his pocket. I didn't want to be "that guy" until he snubbed his cigarette and threw it in the rocks.

I addressed him as "Soldier," and introduced myself as Specialist Bailey and dressed him down for his unprofessional appearance and wanton disregard for the butt can less than 2 feet from his position. He corrected his uniform deficiencies, policed up his butt, and disappeared behind the formation.

At work call formation the 1SG conducted accountability and performed an about face, turning our formation over to the company commander...our relationship never improved, but I got his Maintenance Program up to a 96% daily average rating.

Response by SSgt Randy Sweat made Jun 8 at 2015 12:00 AM

SSgt Randy Sweat — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 00:00:50 -0400

I remember one time in particular that the 2d MarDiv CG (BG Vanriper) was purposely in inappropriate civilian attire at the the exchange. Being young and motivated (LCpl) I corrected him not knowing who he was. I got my first command coin and the rest of the day off when I went back to work.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 8 at 2015 4:03 AM

PO1 John Miller — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 04:03:11 -0400

I corrected a Marine Sergeant Major who referred to the deck of the ship as a floor. She actually thanked me and then asked me what other ship board specific terms she should know. I explained the difference between levels and decks, bulkhead, overhead, scuttle butt, the difference between a door and hatch, all kinds of things.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2015 3:54 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 15:54:47 -0400

Tuck your head and walk. I figure if they want to look like a dirt bag let them because in the long run they will be corrected by someone higher ranking than them who will make them look like an ass and feel o so small.. :)

Response by SFC Scott Parkhurst made Nov 11 at 2015 6:13 PM

SFC Scott Parkhurst — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 18:13:15 -0500

NEVER! I have to admit that a couple of times I was a tad nervous to do so, but if I didn't, then I wasn't being a good NCO. I just pulled them to the side and nicely corrected them and even told them how I could help IF they didn't have the medal etc. that I could go to the PX for them real quick if need be if they were going into a meeting. I did this once only for a very top brass. An he was a very cool guy and I hated to see him get frowned on. I knew this was a total oversight on his part...But yeah, we should correct each other. I would want someone to correct me! Some kids switched my name and Army taps around and I didn't catch it for over an hour!! And no one pulled me aside and say something and then I saw it in a photo! Now that's messed up!

Response by SFC Stephen King made Nov 11 at 2015 6:29 PM

SFC Stephen King — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 18:29:16 -0500

SSG Private RallyPoint Member I have thus I have developed tact.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Nov 12 at 2015 12:00 AM

CMSgt James Nolan — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 00:00:38 -0500

As a young Corporal, I corrected a Sergeant Major about his ribbons being out of order, while working a gate. I was right (I cannot recall what the error was), it was back in the days when you did all of that yourself (no Ultra-thin shop or Medals of America-because there was no internet), did not go well (Hard to believe but USMC Sergeant Majors do not like Corporals telling them much), but it made my LCpl partner proud. He still tells the story today....

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2016 3:51 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 15:51:11 -0400

I was a young US Army Sergeant just out of PLDC in 1999 at Patch Barracks, Stuttgart. I was walking down the sidewalk and a Marine Officer approaches from the opposite direction with bags in each hand. The Marine Officer made no effort to switch hands so that he could return a salute if one was given, so I gave him the greeting of the day with a "Sir" at the end and he stopped, proceeded to lecture me about military courtesy etc....I responded with the Army regulation that addressed courtesies and explained that if it was obvious a return salute could not be rendered, a greeting of the day would suffice. At that point, he switched from chewing and offered to return my salute. I came to attention and gave him what he so desperately needed and went on my way.

Response by SSG George Holtje made Nov 23 at 2019 8:06 PM

SSG George Holtje — Sat, 23 Nov 2019 20:06:33 -0500

I have been griped at concerning an NCO with his cargo pockets open. The NCO was a newly promoted SSG whose ego overstepped AR 670-1. Considering the NCO could quote regulation verbatim, I was a little confused as to why he would get mad that I didn’t want to see him walking around like he didn’t care about his appearance in front of his soldiers.

Response by SSG George Holtje made Nov 23 at 2019 8:11 PM

SSG George Holtje — Sat, 23 Nov 2019 20:11:55 -0500

On another occasion, we were in Kosovo reacting to reported sniper fire. Our mission was to clear buildings with line of sight and range. This SSGs concept of clearing a building was to stand in doorways pointing a mag light and a M9 into a room. I received another chewing out for attempting to do the job the right way.