Can I decline being promoted to Corporal?

You're actually insane enough to ask this question? The very fact you're ASKING this question is proof to everyone reading this post that YOU DON'T HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO LEAD TROOPS!!! I have to back up WO1 Jeff C. on this one. THE AUDACITY AND ARROGANCE ON YOUR PART TO EVEN WRITE THIS IS OFFENSIVE!!!!!

You're actually insane enough to ask this question? The very fact you're ASKING this question is proof to everyone reading this post that YOU DON'T HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO LEAD TROOPS!!! I have to back up WO1 Jeff C. on this one. THE AUDACITY AND ARROGANCE ON YOUR PART TO EVEN WRITE THIS IS OFFENSIVE!!!!!

You're actually insane enough to ask this question? The very fact you're ASKING this question is proof to everyone reading this post that YOU DON'T HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO LEAD TROOPS!!! I have to back up WO1 Jeff C. on this one. THE AUDACITY AND ARROGANCE ON YOUR PART TO EVEN WRITE THIS IS OFFENSIVE!!!!!

You're actually insane enough to ask this question? The very fact you're ASKING this question is proof to everyone reading this post that YOU DON'T HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO LEAD TROOPS!!! I have to back up WO1 Jeff C. on this one. THE AUDACITY AND ARROGANCE ON YOUR PART TO EVEN WRITE THIS IS OFFENSIVE!!!!!

Listen to the responses on here from experienced soldiers- they're giving you free, common-sense advice. If you're as smart as your unit thinks you are, you'll take their advice and take the promotion. If you're not smart enough to listen and take this free advice, then you're not leadership material. You decide...

Of course, but it wouldn't be a wise decision. If I were anyone in your leadership chain, I would do whatever is necessary to revoke your promotability, since you obviously have no desire to be a leader. That is what being promoted beyond SPC is, a leader. Long gone are are the days of Spec-5, 6 ,and 7.

Why. Sa a sp4 in an NBC room I had issues getting things done after I'd been told to. Privates joke about a "Full bird" isn't a command rank, so they don'tbhave to listen, Non comms ..well we ARE JUST a "Full Bird Private", so no respect due there..after all "He's NOT a non comm.."

Take the Damn hardstripe. And be THANKFUL they offered it.

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.