Can I decline being promoted to Corporal?

I am reading this quite late and am very curious how everything worked out for you. I hope your leadership discussed options with you and discussed the reasons for you wanting to decline a promotion based on you not wanting a leadership role that comes with such a promotion and based on pay or the lack of; that is quite disheartening. As a new HM1 I was told that I may be the new LPO (Lead Petty Officer). I was privately thinking "Dang, can I experience being a 1st class for at least a few months before being an LPO. But at the same time, I knew this was a possibility long before I advanced and knew it was an important role that can be rewarding and beneficial for junior sailors and for myself; especially for my next goal of achieving a new role as an HMC. I hope you took on the role you obviously earned and have been making the most of it and lifting up your junior enlisted to become better leaders. If not, I hope you can surround yourself with quality leaders who can show you what it means to be a leader; recieving the pay or not for such a role.

You made SGT??? WTF

Why would you want to do that? Is this a for real question or BSing around question? I will ask YOU these questions, and I would "NEVER" PUT YOU UP FOR PROMOTION AGAIN OR OTHERWISE. When I was a SPC, I in was in a SGT's position, then when I was a SGT I was in an SSG position and SFC position, etc, etc, etc. I don't know how these things happen, they just happen. No Bump in pay, but the learning and prestige of how to be a Leader were priceless. Do yourself a favor and get the _uck out of My Army, I don't have time for crybabies, and I'll train people who want to be Leaders. No sympathy from me. Have a Nice Day.

As an E2 I was filling an E4 and an E5 billet in the same division, at the same time. All the responsibilities, duties and authorities of those positions minus the pay. It's the military, not burger king. We join to serve our country, not for the great pay...if folks only joined for the pay then we'd have a pretty small military force. Too many Karens signing up these days....

Man, I never even thought about denying CPL before I was promoted to SGT. My cut off at the time was maxed out and I waited 2 years before I was able to get promoted.

Tell you what. You can request anything. You would wish the worst they could tell you is no. But do you REALLY want to go this route? You're not taking the role of a sergeant major as an E4, you're not missing big bucks here. But you are asking for big problems. Check the comments and read the room. This is a BAD idea. If you decide to continue, don't be surprised if you're passed over on future boards for a LONG time.

So, now you are a SGT. What happened with the CPL rank? How has that shaped you as a leader?

It may be thatI’ve been out too long, but since when does a CPL (E4) make more than a SPC (E4). Am I missing something?

Also, you should NEVER refuse an opportunity to practice being a leader. When you are punching up, you get a lot more grace when you make a mistake than you do later. Get that experience!

Responsibility without authority is slavery. If they expect you to be held as the one in charge you should receive the adequate compensation for such.

Leadership is not about money or personal gain. By the way did you memorize or at least read the NCO Creed before the Board? Is just that if you did, common sense is telling me that you had an emergency talk with your Squad Leader or Platoon Sergeant about your participation on that Board. How is it that a Soldier is sent to the Promotion Board and recommended for promotion without the minimum basic knowledge of being a Leader? Kind of scary….