Can I decline being promoted to Corporal?

Granted, this is a year-old thread, I would like to impart some wisdom to you based on my career. When I was a Specialist, I had just redeployed from a 15-month tour to Iraq. My office consisted of a CPT, 1LT, SFC, 2xSSGs, and 3xSPCs (me being one). Each of the SPCs was promotable, but I was the ranking SPC. I redeployed as the "NCO" for my section (S-2) with three soldiers under me, while the other offices, sections, etc. sent back SGTs and SSGs with the Advanced-D. Once everyone returned from the tour, I was promoted to SGT and within a month, everyone who outranked me PCS'd to another unit, leaving me in the most senior billet. I spent 10 months in that MTOE slot for an SFC being a brand new SGT. I had to attend the PLT SGT meetings with the 1SG, make decisions about my section, sit in for staff meetings that typically would involve the SFC and CPT of the S-2, train all of my soldiers, perform all of the garrison tasks of the staff sections, maintain the vehicles in the motor pool, and maintain the hand receipts for all of the S-2 equipment without the help of any higher-ranking members of my office because I was the highest ranking. To make matters more stressful, during a month-long exercise where they placed me not only as the Staff Duty NCOIC, I was also the TOC NCOIC for the entire month. Yes, I served in three simultaneous positions that were well beyond my pay grade for an extended period of time. The point I'm trying to make, there will be times in your career when you will be given a position, whether it temporary or permanent, where you will be performing duties beyond your pay grade. Take these moments as a blessing! If you do an outstanding job, meaning no one has to keep an eye on you or constantly correct your mistakes, your command will look upon you favorably and this will give you experience, plus it helps when it comes time to get another promotion. If you're only in this for the money, I'm afraid I must tell you that this probably isn't where you need to be because you may not be ready for a promotion with this mindset.

SPC and CPL pay are the same. Take the lateral promotion, then go to school.
So, not sure of your question.
If you are saying that you need to go to school to get your SGT stripes, then you take the position, then go to school and get your stripes. again, not sure of your question. It is the Army, that is what you do.

CPL and SPC pay are both an E-4, you will be paid the same.

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?