Question about respect

As a new officer walking down the street we had it drilled into our heads by our Gunnys and Chiefs that we needed to correct Sailors and Marines who didn't show the proper respect. While that's still true to a degree, over the course of ten years I realized I don't really give a shit. I have more important things to do than worry about if someone respects themselves enough to be professional. If it's blatantly disrespectful, I might correct someone, but nine times out of ten said individual will eventually be corrected by someone with anchors (possibly a star or two), and that will (or should at least) be far more painful and effective than anything I might do. In the mean time, I've got shit to do, and so do you, so keep being professional and true to yourself, and don't worry too much about what others are doing. Hope that helps.

/r/navy Thread Parent