Thanks for pissing me off before 0700. ETA...updated
- 561 Replies
4.1.5. Clearly meet, and strive to exceed, the standards and expectations levied upon junior enlisted
Airmen. Epitomize excellence and lead by example through exhibiting professional behavior,
military bearing, respect for authority, and the highest standards of dress and appearance. Instill
professional behaviors in subordinates. Correct those who violate standards.
The above is what tells me my responsibilities. It is AFI 36-2618/ This is from the Jr. NCO tier. Below is the standard for Airmen...
3.1.5. Exhibit professional behavior, military bearing, respect for authority, and high standards of
dress and personal appearance, on- and off-duty. Correct other Airmen who violate standards.
So with the length of time I have been in....and my rank...correcting those who violate standards has been my duty for a long time....like since the day I joined.
So I called his shop. I spoke to an NCO in his shop. I gave him a run down of the scenario. After listening he asked me to call the First Sgt. Apparently, they have had a lot of issues with this kid. The First Sgt asked me to come over for a formal apology but I told him I didn't feel that it was necessary and it would make me feel awkward.
For those of you who think I am on some sort of power trip.... If that were the case, I would have simply lit into him for not wearing his cover. A lot of people have missed the point here. It is not about the hat. It is about the lack of respect for those that out rank him. In addition, as an NCO, it is my job to enforce standards. I have rarely run into a problem. I don't go out looking for people to bust. I did not let it ruin my day. I simply stated someone pissed me off. I did not cause a scene. I did not yell and scream. After being nice didn't work, I told him that getting his hat on was not an option and asked where he worked.
Those that aren't military really don't understand the significance of all of this. When I joined and was an airman...I would never have thought twice to talk to anyone like that. EVEN A CIVILIAN. It is about who we represent. As a member of the Air Force, if I am out in uniform I represent the Air Force. If you see me out and about with my shirt unbuttoned, my pants unbloused, being loud and obnoxious and drunk....that doesn't set a good example. The same goes for this guy...he is setting a bad example for his squadron.
For those saying I don't have the authority to correct him.... I absolutely do. In fact, no matter the rank, we are responsible for correcting issues we see. I once saw a Lieutenant with his sunglasses on top of his head...a no no in the Air Force...I was polite and told him...He took them off of his head and thanked me.
To clarify.... The big deal wasn't the hat...it was the attitude he gave me when I politely reminded him of his cover. If he popped off with an attitude over the hat I am betting he is not a stellar troop. I did not let it ruin my entire day. It pissed me off at the time. While wating for my doctors appointment I made the post. I seriously didn't think it would get this big. I am sorry if you felt I was rude to you...but I have not cussed at anyone or called anyone names. I simply stated a fact or two. When I say I got serious with him....it doesn't mean I caused a scene or anything. And last, had I walked past him and not addressed the situation someone else would have...and not only would they have not been as nice about it....I probably would have had something said to me as well. It is my job to enforce the standards.
So this morning I am walking out of the shopette with my morning chocolate milk. This young airman is walking towards the building with no cover (hat). I was polite and reminded him to put his cover on. He said his cover was in his car. This annoyed me but I was still nice and told him he needed to grab it. Then he decided to argue with me. I had to get serious at that point.
It is a simple freaking rule. Put your damn hat on when outdoors. You don't have a to agree with the rule or like it but in the military you do have to follow it.
Okay I am military. I am in uniform and I do outrank him. I was nice at first and trying to keep him from getting chewed out. He decided to be an ass. So I took his name so I can call his boss when I get back to work. It doesn't matter if it is 10 steps or 100. You wear your hat outside.
Vent over.
Because that is her job as and NCO. If you don't know anything about her job why don't you just keep your mouth shut and the rude comments to yourself?
Worry about what your supposed to be doing...
Quoting Kool_Aide:
Stick. In. The. Mud. !!!!!!!!!!!
Why don't you just worry about your duties and not some dumb tiny hat??
You clearly have your own issues that need to be handled. For someone that isn't in the military you sure seem to think you know a lot about what is going on in the military. Your language and attitude isn't earning any respect from me. I think you would be the one to get spit on.
Quoting Dilinda:You certainly wouldn't get my respect acting like that. Lose the bitchiness,and you might actually earn some yourself. I'm stupid?You are the one crying over a hat, while a lot worse is going on in our military,stupid fuck.Respect is earned,you would get spit on.
Quoting OliviasMommy611:
Disrespecting a higher ranking airman/seaman/ soldier, by not following an order and talking back. I didn't state an opinion, I stated a fact. Clearly, you know nothing about the military and I am bowing out of this conversation. Can't fight with stupid.Quoting Dilinda:Putting a hat on is respect?ROFL.Sorry, no one cares about your opinion either, yet you still spout it off.Stop power tripping like a pissed off Mcdonalds shift manager and do the job we pay you to do.
At the end of the day,it's a hat.I wouldnt respect some jack ass at 7am in the morning telling me to put my hat on when all I was doing was buying an orange juice at the store either.
Quoting OliviasMommy611:
The military is all about respect, clearly that man was lacking it and the point of her rant. No one cares your opinion on the uniform rule. Service men and women are aware of the "rule."
Quoting Dilinda:What an incredibly stupid rule. So glad you are on top of things for us measly civilians.If that guy didn't wear a hat,we may have never woke up today!
I am not in the military but my husband was a soldier in the British Army. One has to respect the uniform, The uniform represents the Queen. The reason why the military has strict discipline is because they have to move and act as one, that iswhy rules that may seem petty to us civilians are not petty in the military. It seems that this young mans pride was the issue here, not the rules. If he has a problem with pride and violates the rules and then refuses an order, he could be a danger to himself or others on the battlefield. Never underestimate why the military impose such rules, they are there for a reason.
OP - I don't think you were rude to anyone. Unfortunately though, there is not much respect for any branch of the military by a lot of CM members. That is likely the problem that so many had with your post whether they admit it or not. That and reading comprehension. I saw so many posts that showed very clearly they weren't bothering to really read what you wrote. Too many posters here create drama where none really exists. This is one more example.
Quoting Anonymous:
What is an NCO anyway? I'm curious
Non-Commisioned Officer. The Air Force enlisted structure starts out with Airman Basic and works up to Chief Master Sergeant. Airman Basic through Senior Airman represent the Airman Tier. Staff Sergeant and Technical Sergeant represent the NCO tier. And Master Sergeant through Chief Master Sergeant represent the Senior NCO tier.
leaving baby alone while i do laundry?