Can I decline being promoted to Corporal?

What's the update?

If your main concern is your pay and not your soldiers, you're not going to be worth a crap as an NCO. There's going to be few occasions during your career that you're going to be asked to do things above and below your pay grade. Do the task and voice your concerns later. Turning down CPL will have a negative affect on your future in the military. Sacrifices have to be made at times.

SURE:...... Become a Civilian.
Some Of Them Love Being A FLUNKY Too.
So, You're Not Alone.. Grab A Mop.!

I suggest you turn down ranger school as I do not believe you have the leadership capabilities to be a Ranger.

Personally, I would have jumped at the offer to be a corporal over a specialist. My understanding back when was the specialist ranks were primarily for those they did not consider to be leaders but needed to get promoted. Being 11B2P I would have coveted the rank of corporal.

This right here is the problem with the new Army! (Among others). I don’t get paid enough mentality will be the demise of a great organization. Shrugging off responsibilities until you get paid for them. If I was in your chain of command you would have just forfeited your ability to attend Ranger school, and definitely not be placed in a leadership position where that loosen of an attitude could infect the good order, discipline and cohesion of the unit. Yes by all means do yourself, your unit, and the military a favor and decline to sign the 4187 or assume any leadership roles.

You could but there's a good chance you wouldn't have a choice and they would make you feel like a jackass for turning it down. You know how they are about motivation. The more you accept the opportunity and seem motivated about it the greater your chances of greater opportunities in the future. Look at the positive of it. Since corporal is a junior NCO it would give you a head start when they send you to PLDC. You would go into E5 with greater experience than someone who would go there straight from Specialist. I know that not every unit sends Corporals to PLDC but mine did. Don't turn down opportunities like this, especially if you want the Army to be a career. If you choose to end your term in Active and finish your 8-year contract in the Reserves just know that the rank works different in the Reserves. In active Army if you earn that rank they give it to you. In the Reserves if you earn, or deserve that rank they will not give it to you, unless they have a position for that rank open and available. That being said, if you go into the Reserves, whatever rank you are is the rank you keep when you enter. If the unit is already full of that position then they'll just attach you to a different unit that needs that rank, which may be in a completely different post but you can stay with the local unit, until it's time for your assigned unit to go to training.

I've had two SFC in a 1sg position over the years. One of them did a great job while the other was a pos. However neither of them complained about the extra duty. Accept the position and learn so that when you advance you are (hopefully) a good leader.

"I will not use my grade or position to attain pleasure, profit or personal safety." Part of the creed of the Non Commissioned Officer. Use it as training for leadership.

Good question. Also, not sure if there's such a thing as Pro Pay, but if there is, can you still get it as a Corporal?