Can I decline being promoted to Corporal?

I know a medically retired Army SSG that made numerous ranks up and down (never below CPL) that has had BDE level positions, without additional pay at any number of those ranks. Yes, they were in combat most of those times.

Rather than quibble and avoid/deflect responsibility, you MIGHT ask your platoon SGT and/or the S-1 clerk if you have been scheduled for BLC. If there's, say 6 months wait, it will help you to step up, if the wait is a couple of years (I've seen it happen, even in the Cold War), refusing the slot can end your chance at a career.

"You pays your money and you takes your choice."

You made the board. From here, what happens is on you. Look at what can happen in 15-16 years...
Retirement? Flipping burgers for low wages? Choose wisely.

When I was in, the Army was top-heavy in NCOs with no slots to move up. I got selected for the board and disqualified on a technicality, when they were disqualifying for even smaller gigs. being in S-1 at the time, my CSM broke it to me and gave me the opportunity to address the board, so, I chewed them out, signed my ETS papers in front of them and instantly had less than 90 days left, given accumulated leave.

Me? I'm permanently disabled, receiving 100% Disability for Individual Unemployability. That means, if I could find work, earn some additional income, anything over 10% of my disability can jeopardize my rating, my income and health benefits. Sucks eating the low fruit, but I've got a Quarter-million Dollar (civilian cost) smile, getting high-dollar therapy for my Service-Connected PTSD, frequent physical therapy for medical issues (result of in-service injuries) and who knows what all else... I've even had genetic testing for hidden syndromes (yes, through the VA).

Ball is in your court. Your entire future relies on what you do NOW. Crap, or get off the pot Specialist.

If I were you I would take the promotion to Cpl and show that you are capable to being a leader which would help you in future promotions.

Yes. Now is a good time to decide what you want in life. Know your worth.

Yes, don't look for any favors.

Soooo from what I have heard, no. This is supposed to be happening to ALL specialists and I don't think there is a choice as its army-wide. I don't agree with it, but it is what it is.

Pleasantly surprised to learn from this thread that our Army has kept that important and significant rank of CPL, versus fixating only on SPC. The rank of CPL is recognition and appreciation that the proposed recipient has been seen and valued as a future leader of other Soldiers. Go with that CPL promotion and drive on and move forward!

Regards,
Stephen H Franke
LTC, US Army Retired
(with prior service as an enlisted Soldier)
San Pedro, California

Hero - I can understand that you want to be compensated for the duties and responsibilities the Command wants to give you. Who knows, you may not go to BLC within the next 9-12 months after you accept the slot. But think of this. As some in the response have mentioned at - do you want to be a leader or a manager? A manager of people would want more money and more responsibilities while managing the tasks that people do… nothing wrong with that. - OR - Do you you want to be a leader of men and women that will follow your examples? Do you want to tell people what to do - or - do you want to ask people to join you to do the miserable and terrible jobs and show that even stripes clean trash bins? Do you only want the tabs and the awards to shine your light - or - do you want to sit at the front of the formation one day while your Soldiers (newest E1 to the oldest E7) get recognized for their hard work, resourcefulness and lateral thinking while you salute your O5 and think: “I remember teaching that turd how to ________ 15 years ago?”

Whatever kind of person you want to be - it will be a direct reflection on the civilian side too. Will people want to work with you to find the best route to finish the job - or will they resent it when you speak for you THINK you only know the answer to the problem, but you haven’t even grasp the 2nd & 3rd order of effects of the decision.

I am assuming you are for real..you should ask yourself what was the real reason you join the military. Since you have been long enough to get recommended for the board and you study and pass the board a lot of soldiers would love to be in your shoes to express their abilities to lead and you wimping out because of pay..when I made it through basic to AIT I got promoted to E4 I didn’t really care about the money it was having my own squad to lead and i felted proud to learn with guidance from my Platoon leader..16 years later I got promoted to E7 in those years I got paid with pride to continue on supervision and leading other looked up to me because I did the best job I knew how and learn from my mistakes sure there was time I got in some sticky situation scared as hell for example I was at our Battalion on Staff duty and a soldier lost his life in a car accident and alone with his wife pregnant also in the did not get hurt..the unit did not call the Battalion and report the accident but let me tell all hell broke and the Bn CMDR and CSM walked in my duty officer and I was ready to leave when our replacement came wrong answer long story short I overcame that stress I say to you get up and accept your responsible that required of you and do your job or get out so the next soldier get take the range be a leader..I didn’t like a wimp when I was serving and now I am out I still do not like a wimp today

You ought to spend the rest of your enlistment as a Pfc since you don't want to take on a leadership role until you get more pay to do it.

The pay is the same for all E4s