Army Specialist Rank

What is the Army Spec Rank? What is or was it used for?

Click here to view Army Spec Rank:

http://www.infantrymen.net/specialist_ranks.html

[Banander]

Once upon a time there were hard stripes and soft stripes.


The hard stripes were the NCO's. These were the leaders in the field (Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant . . .).


Then there were the soft stripes . . . Specialists were for lack of a better word 'Specialists' at what they did. All enlisted clerical, medical, maintenance, supply . . .etc ranks were Specialists, with the exceptions of NCOs sometimes.


Now exists only Specialist Fourth Class (or Spec4, SP4) which holds the pay grade of Corporal (E-4) but has (in theory) none of the authority of a Corporal.


The Marines in WW2 and Korea had a similiar like system between ranks of combat and support NCOs.

[ColeGyreneJROTC]

During WWII, weren't the specialist ranks like tech sergeants and stuff?

[Banander]

You are correct.

From 1941 to 1957 the US Army had 4 Technical NCO ranks. These soldiers wore the usual chevrons but with a T beneath.

E-3 Corporal Technician 5th Grade (T-5)
E-4 Sergeant Technicial Sergeant 4th Grade (T-4)
E-5 Staff Sergeant Technicial Sergeant 3rd Grade (T-3)
E-6 Platoon Sergeant Technical Sergeant 2nd Grade (T-2)

Post 1945 there were distinctions between insignia for combat and non-combat rank.

The Specialist ranks began in 1958.

From 1900 to 1941 there were a number of Specialist ranks too numerous to mention, they went by branch. Each branch had it's own designs.

[ColeGyreneJROTC]

cool.
nice to be right for a change

[Garrett]

Thanks, i actually needed that info

[333MP]

Now you can hardly find a Cpl.

Unless you are in a Texas National Guard unit in which case there are plenty of Corporals around!:gun4nedt

[Field_Sailor]

My buddy is a CPl, he's a Human Resources Guy. He works as an MP though. I"m not sure if he's a CPL because of being a 42-series or because he does MP stuff.

[RR691983]

CPL is very common in Combat Arms.