This may be a dumb question, but being prior A.F. I don't know all the Army rank structure. My question is, what is the difference between Specialist and Corporal. I called my unit the other day and they call me Specialist and when I went and got my id card they had me in the computer as corporal. I know one of you guys can answer this question. Can't wait to get to WTC, leave on the 30th oct. and class starts 9 nov. I will actually drill with my unit the weekend before I leave (got in trouble already cause I was supposed to be there 2 months ago.......) No one ever told me that and the only orders I have are for WTC. Hopefully, all that will work out....
If I may, I would like to disagree with shafferyork a little bit. True, Cpl is a junior NCO, but that is not to say that Specialists cannot hold leadership positions. I have held a team leader slot for many years as a specialist and I take exception to the fact that they are "overpaid privates". Yes, some of them are, but then I know NCO's who are also. I have always looked at myself as an underpaid NCO and have acted accordingly. I believe anyone in any of my prior chain of commands would agree as well. The real difference between the two is this. A Cpl. is an E-4 promotable, in other words he has met the cutoff score and is waiting on school and actual promotion. Normally, after making P status you are put in a leadership position if you are not already in one. Yes, you can go straight to Sgt. As a matter of fact that is the way it is normally done. You don't see too many CPl's walking around these days, they're kind of a rarity. As far as doing different jobs, that maybe in some MOS's, but normally the job is the same just with the added responsibility that comes with being an NCO - paperwork, counseling, NCO specific details, etc. However, I have done all of those as a Specialist.
Guess I should clarify. When the Army first came out the the specialist ratings. They where to be specialist in there field. No command authority what so every. Kind of like a tech specialist. Then after several years the army saw that this was not working. So they got ride of all but the Spec 4. The also decided that E-4 was to junior a rank to hold any real command so the got ride of Cpl and just went with SPC 4. Of course in the real Army this was not working either because you have to have a JR NCO rank. SGT's can't do it all. There just isn't enough of them. Then about 1989/90 the Army decided it would bring back the Cpl for some MOS's. This has not worked well either. They need to get ride of the SPC 4 and just go with Cpl.
By Army regs the SPC, like Msgt and WO, are not authorized to hold command. Of course this is not always the case.
so once a specialist always a specialist......i guess... I'm going in as a medic and my recruiter said that would make me a specialist. guess it goes with the mos?
The only problem with getting rid of SPC4 is that only E-4(P) can be a CPL. Most E-4's at any one time are not going to have a (P) status. I know plenty of MSGT's and WO's who hold command positions. Matter of fact any chief that's in something other than aviation is a section chief.
punisher, you said promotable, what exactly do you have to do to be promotable. In the air force it was strictly number of open slots and points accrued from decorations and tests score, along with time in rank and service. I know in the army they consider your pt scores, are there also test and other criteria to make e-5. I have 8 years time in service, 4 active and 4 inactive, will that count towards promotion eligibility? I appreciate both of you guys giving me information it helps.
Originally posted by Punisher82: The only problem with getting rid of SPC4 is that only E-4(P) can be a CPL. Most E-4's at any one time are not going to have a (P) status. I know plenty of MSGT's and WO's who hold command positions. Matter of fact any chief that's in something other than aviation is a section chief.
You're absolutely right. but they answer to an officer. They may be Sec. chief. But some where there's an OIC who gives the orders.
That would be true of everyone in the military all the way up to the CIC. But I do see your point. Many E-7 and above into the WO ranks hold command positions due to a lack of officers available.
In order to be promotable you have to have open slots, points from awards and several other things. There is usually a promotion board. For E-4's this will depend on the b=number of slots. High number of slots - not always a board, low number of slots - you can almost guarntee a board. PT scores, marksmanship, military education, civilian education and a score given by your chain of command. All of these work together to give you a score. you then apply this number to the cutoff score that is currently in effect. Yes time in service and grade count, but as I recall it only counts as towards if you are eleigible to be promotable (ie - primary or secondary zone) not for points. Then you go to PLDC and get promoted. Again it doesn't always work like this but generally speaking that's it. For example - in the 82nd if you got a Ranger tab as an E-4 you automatically got maxed out on points. Boards went like this... "Son, when did you get your tab? Last month. Hooah, good job!... Next." I hope it has changed, but no joke it was really like that. i still don't know how they got away with doing that but they did over and over.
