Posted on Feb 20, 2018
Can a Specialist make a Private stand at Parade Rest for him?
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Does general military authority allow a Specialist to require a Private to stand at parade rest for them? There was a previous thread discussing whether a Private should automatically stand at parade rest for a Specialist, but I've seen Specialists over the years tell Privates to stand at parade rest when talking to them. Can Specialists do this? It seems like an abuse of general military authority to me.
Customs and Courtesies
Leadership
SPC
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 123
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Yes. A Specialist can put a E1, E2, and E3 at Parade Rest if assigned a E5 role as per the 1stSG or Conpany Commander. Of course that is the most serious circumstance. I held the authority as a Specialist and never ever had to put a Soldier at Parade Rest. I would never think of such. So many other ways to handle the situation. After the fact, We’d (them AND myself) do push ups- (smoke session) till I got tired. I can do some pushups!
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SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA
The best leadership I've seen was demonstrated by the leader participating in the corrective training with their subordinates. This is far too rare.
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Everybody's comments are correct unless the SPC is in a leadership position over that private I was a dismount squad leader as a SPC and when I was doing concealing statements or rebuking one of my squad members our 1sgt required that they stand at parade rest other then that no on the parade rest
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I never did it,I used brute intimidation tactics if politeness failed.
For a guy to try that he must be full of himself.I am aware of no reg.
For a guy to try that he must be full of himself.I am aware of no reg.
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Depends on the situation. I'd say yes if the specialist was in a leadeship position such as team leader. Other stituation would be in formation for guard. My opinion is it really depends on tha unit's SOP policy. Frankly, I have no problem with a Specialist telling a Private to get at parade rest. Keep in mind, I am Old School and believe in disclipline.
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Again I hear you all and agree, a specialist isn’t an NCO. However there are units (airborne, infantry, and ranger units) where an E-4 Specialist, not corpora, is a team leader and is afforded the courtesy of an NCO. I realize this isn’t “regulation” but it’s a part on unit culture in these units. But, specialists in these leadership positions are often very mature, have a lot of responsibility and don’t abuse authority. Also most of them are just months from pinning on sergeant.
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Elijah, I guess that is good to know a specialist does out rank a private but is not an NCO. Now a Corporal would be different same pay grade but one is an NCO. Just being honest coming from an SF background if someone was given Parade Rest or Attention things were pretty serious. It did happen but not all the time
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The position of parade rest is generally used when speaking to a noncommissioned officer, or if an NCO yourself, a more senior NCO. Since a specialist is not an NCO, the quick answer is no. However, if that specialist is serving as a team leader, it would be proper to assume that position if he or she is senior to you and is in your chain of command.
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I have a few observations on this point. Why is the Specialist requiring it? Is it in some type of formation, Does the Specialist hold any type of leadership position over the Private? Is it for a valid reason or just an ego stimulator for the Specialist? Is the Specialist even in the Privates organizational structure? Most of these are pertinent. I rarely had my soldiers at parade rest save for duty formations or disciplinary hearings. If your soldiers know who you are and your position, there is little reason to "lock them up" just to have a discussion with them. Hopefully the Specialist you are referring to is not bolstering his ego by jacking random Privates up because eventually a Non-Com is going to repay the favor and it won't be pleasant.
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SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA
Well, there have been a couple of instances that eventually spurred me to write this post. In Airborne School, there was a guy who had his SPC from MEPS, because he had a B.A. He was chewing out a couple of Privates for something and put them at Parade Rest while he chewed them out. None of them had been in the Army for more than four or five months.
Now, in my current unit, we had guys show up on Rear D while most of the unit was deployed. I saw Specialists telling new guys that they had to stand at Parade Rest -- just like for NCOs -- for senior Specialists, whether they were Team Leaders or not. I am definitely the senior Specialist in the Company, even though I've never deployed, and I told them they were wrong to tell the new guys that.
Now, in my current unit, we had guys show up on Rear D while most of the unit was deployed. I saw Specialists telling new guys that they had to stand at Parade Rest -- just like for NCOs -- for senior Specialists, whether they were Team Leaders or not. I am definitely the senior Specialist in the Company, even though I've never deployed, and I told them they were wrong to tell the new guys that.
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I think refs are quite clear about this. A specialist is not an NCO thus the answer is no. When a SP is put in charge of a detail (as it happens often enough) it is still no in my book. The other personnel should follow his/her directions with respect though.
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