When an enlisted person violates a regulation in the presence of both an officer and a petty officer, who is responsible for correcting the violator?

When an enlisted person violates a regulation in the presence of both an officer and a petty officer, who is responsible for correcting the violator?

• A. Master-at-arms
• B. Officer
• C. Petty officer
• D. Chief petty officer

Answer: (C)

The immediate responsibility for correcting an enlisted violator rests with the petty officer. Petty officers are the direct supervisors of enlisted personnel and have the authority to enforce standards and address routine violations on the spot. The officer’s role is to supervise, set policy, and handle more serious matters, but the day-to-day correction of a regulation violation is carried out by the petty officer in charge. The presence of an officer does not transfer that on-the-spot corrective duty away from the petty officer. The other roles mentioned aren’t the typical corrective authority for a normal enlisted violation.