SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member 4645698 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Can I resign as a corporal and be a specialist again? It was my dream to become a corporal because it&#39;s not a common rank and it&#39;s hard to achieve, but the biggest problem with the rank of Corporal is that you are given the responsibilities of an NCO, but without the pay, respect, etc. I don&#39;t think it&#39;s to much to ask to treat me as the NCO that I am. Is this possible and what&#39;s the process? 2019-05-18T00:06:36-04:00 SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member 4645698

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Can I resign as a corporal and be a specialist again? It was my dream to become a corporal because it&#39;s not a common rank and it&#39;s hard to achieve, but the biggest problem with the rank of Corporal is that you are given the responsibilities of an NCO, but without the pay, respect, etc. I don&#39;t think it&#39;s to much to ask to treat me as the NCO that I am. Is this possible and what&#39;s the process?

2019-05-18T00:06:36-04:00 2019-05-18T00:06:36-04:00 SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member 4645701

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2019-05-18T00:15:40-04:00 2019-05-18T00:15:40-04:00 SFC Private RallyPoint Member 4645708

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>The process is to get promoted.<br />Corporal is definitely a thankless rank. I was one in the National Guard and when it was offered to me on Active Duty I turned it down. In my unit being a corporal meant you were treated like a specialist until there was a detail that required an NCO. <br /><br />CPL is just a lateral promotion, like a 1SG. It can be bestowed or revoked by the commander at any time.

2019-05-18T00:25:25-04:00 2019-05-18T00:25:25-04:00 CPL(P) Shelby Weaver 4645720

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I get that, if your CPL wasn’t signed by a COL then it won’t transfer to your next unit with you.

2019-05-18T00:35:40-04:00 2019-05-18T00:35:40-04:00 MSG Private RallyPoint Member 4645751

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>You can ask, but it will be up to your Commander. You state you are an NCO but feel you aren&#39;t being treated as an NCO.....WELCOME TO REAL ARMY LIFE!!!!! Well....resigning.....that&#39;s going to be between you and your Chain. It was your dream to be a Corporal. Why just Coporal? Why just dream of that rank? Why not dream of SFC...or MSG...or even CSM? You are an NCO. IMHO, if the NCO is the backbone of the Army, then the Corporal is the backbone of the NCO Corps. Are you saying you can&#39;t handle being a Corporal? Are you saying you can&#39;t handle being an NCO? If you can&#39;t handle CPL, then you can&#39;t handle being SGT....or SSG...or SFC. Shit...you&#39;re basically saying you can&#39;t handle being in the Army. You think it&#39;s going to get easier the higher in rank you go? Reality check. It gets harder. If you can&#39;t hack it, then GTFO. I&#39;m not going to sugarcoat scheisse for you. Suit up and Ruck up. Did you really think it was going to be all pink roses and fine coffee? Smell the morning, CPL. There will be times where your unit will treat you like shit but still expect you to do your job. Then there are times where your unit will treat you like gold for not even doing a goddamn thing. FFS, you&#39;re the OPS NCO. Do your job to the best of your ability. If you can walk out at the end of the day knowing you did your best and no one can f*ck with you, then you win the game. But...if you are needing validation at the end of the day every day just for being a CPL...then GTFO. You are an NCO. Start acting like one. We, as NCOs, don&#39;t do what we do for constant daily praise. We do this to ensure our Soldiers come home. THAT is our mission. THAT is our goal. You want to resign, then simply walk into the office of your Commander and rip that rank off your chest and tell them the truth that you can&#39;t hack it. Someone at some point thought that you could handle it. Prove them right. If you can&#39;t, then move out and make room for someone who can. Don&#39;t like what I said? Too friggin bad. What I said is just one more reality check for you. And the check always gets cashed....and the bill always comes due.

2019-05-18T01:04:20-04:00 2019-05-18T01:04:20-04:00 MAJ Byron Oyler 4645771

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Remember to be treated like an NCO, you have to act like one and gain the respect of the other NCOs. Don&#39;t feel appreciated? Don&#39;t let your emotions get in the way of something you really wanted.

2019-05-18T01:18:06-04:00 2019-05-18T01:18:06-04:00 CW4 Craig Urban 4645792

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Corporels by and large are assistant squad leaders. Here is a story. In Wiesbaden 1968 I was a sp/4. My ncoic was bobby Fairchild. He was a buck sergeant. He went to the rod and gun club stole a painting. He was drunk. He got busted to corp. I went to bad toelz 7th army NCO academy and made sp/5 the day I got back. Bobby was put in the basement. Told by the company commander to stay away from me. He got out. That special court martial ruined his suck ass career. Did you know that Elvis was a sp/5.

2019-05-18T01:47:34-04:00 2019-05-18T01:47:34-04:00 SSG Private RallyPoint Member 4645884

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>The Army either needs to go the way of the USMC and make all E-4s NCOs or they need to get rid of the CPL rank and make all E-4s SPCs. I’ve seen a lot of people who met all the requirements and were plenty qualified to make SGT but had CPL slapped on them instead. <br /><br />I feel your pain, but if you’re that close to being promoted then I’d just buckle down and tough it out. If you tried to resign it then your CoC would probably view it like a number of people here have, as you not being ready for your 5.

2019-05-18T04:18:03-04:00 2019-05-18T04:18:03-04:00 CSM Darieus ZaGara 4646044

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>If you are not being given the respect that goes with the rank, you should speak to the 1SG. If your unit saw the potential, and you are subsequently producing they should give you that respect. Are you earning that respect? <br /><br />Have you separated yourself from the junior Soldiers, do you disseminate orders and guidance in a manner that earns you the respect of being and NCO? Are you still carrying yourself in the manner for which you were selected to be a Cpl. while I agree. That it can be thankless, it does not have to be. Lateral or not, you are an NCO. <br /><br />Much like the 1SG, you were selected amongst your peers to lead Soldiers. This indicates that your 1SG has what it takes to lead Soldier over other unit E8’s, and you stringer than the other E4’s. Let the leaders that selected you guide you through this. Thank you for your service.

2019-05-18T06:49:41-04:00 2019-05-18T06:49:41-04:00 PO1 Thomas Dunn 4646709

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Get out is my recommendation. can&#39;t handle the heat get out of the kitchen. You were given a position of responsibility do the job and then move up when you have the chance. But if you can&#39;t handle the job then maybe you should look for other employment. Quit now and you will always quit.

2019-05-18T10:46:31-04:00 2019-05-18T10:46:31-04:00 SFC Casey O'Mally 4646794

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>In short, no.<br />You CAN request your Commander laterally demote you, but (s)he is under no obligation to do so.<br /><br />Many others have told you to put up or shut up. Be a real man. Eat the shit sandwich and like it. Etc.<br /><br />I won&#39;t be that guy... Sort of. I&#39;ll tell you the same thing, but MRT the shit out of it for you. Remember that NOTHING in the Army is permanent (except for clueless LTs - but even they eventually get a clue (sometimes even two clues!) and become CPTs). Yes, CPL is one of the absolute worst ranks in the Army. Yes, you are an NCO when they need one, and an E4 when the don&#39;t. I have seen CPLs placed on both the NCO duty roster AND the &quot;E4 and below&quot; duty roster AT THE SAME TIME (which I fixed, but still.....). But don&#39;t worry about it. Seriously. This too shall pass. You go to BLC next month - which means you will be away from the unit treating you like crap - and in an NCOES, being treated like crap! Then you go back and get promoted. OR, if you don&#39;t get promoted in July, in only another month you go somewhere else and become a SPC again. Either way, take it a month at a time, a week at a time. You have VERY clear landmarks coming up in each of the next three months. Just work to make it to BLC. Then to July promotion list. Then to August and new unit (if necessary).<br /><br />Remember that CPL *is* an NCO rank, but nothing you screw up counts against you (NCOERs are local, and not permanent) as far as Big Army is concerned. Take the opportunity to develop your leadership style. Don&#39;t worry about responsibility - you seem to have that handled. Don&#39;t worry about productivity for the same reason. Take these next couple months and really figure out who you want to be AS A LEADER. Once you pin that third stripe, everything is on record. Very few NCOs have the opportunity to develop their style &quot;off the record.&quot;. Take the opportunity as that - an opportunity.<br /><br />I understand the lack of respect, trust me. I understand it better than you can believe. But, I always remembered that no matter what today&#39;s situation was, tomorrow&#39;s would be different. Or next week&#39;s, next month&#39;s. And while, it often sucked, I was able to make it through, and do so successfully. Take the time now to grow, and to set yourself apart and above your peers. You may not like it now, but in a year, you will be thankful you did.

2019-05-18T11:15:07-04:00 2019-05-18T11:15:07-04:00 CW2 Private RallyPoint Member 4646885

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Alright so I gotta ask after looking at your profile... You joined in &#39;09, promoted to SPC in &#39;12 and 7 years later you&#39;re still a CPL? How have you not been promoted to SGT by now?

2019-05-18T11:53:34-04:00 2019-05-18T11:53:34-04:00 CPL Douglas Chrysler 4648083

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I enjoyed the heck out of it. If you see everything as a challenge rather than drudgery you&#39;ll find yourself and the squad excelling at every assignment you&#39;re given.

2019-05-18T21:14:58-04:00 2019-05-18T21:14:58-04:00 CPL Richard Flagg 4648206

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>You must have shown your chain of command the merits of promoting you to Corporal; so don’t do anything like stepping on your crank to lose your rank. Stay the course speak with your chain of command about the respect issue and see what suggestions they offer you. Have you gone to BLC either; because that’s an important step on getting your SGT stripes.

2019-05-18T22:57:36-04:00 2019-05-18T22:57:36-04:00 SPC Manny Managuit 4649037

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>“It was my dream to become a corporal because it’s not a common rank and it’s hard to achieve “<br /><br />That made my laugh, thank you for that.<br /><br />SMA is what I think you’re trying to say lol.

2019-05-19T10:07:32-04:00 2019-05-19T10:07:32-04:00 CPL Private RallyPoint Member 4650664

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>You have all the responsibilities of an nco. It is your duty to up hold that. If your peers and subordinates disrespect you, you have to find a way to change that. You were obviously given this roll for a reason. It is your job to train and teach as well as enforce the standards. I agree being a cpl sucks, but its your attitude that makes everything different. Your subordinates are going to challenge you constantly, and its going to drive you to the edge. You have to find a way to put them in their place. Whether it be corrective action or learning to bite your tongue and take a simple joke. As an nco you can write councillings and recommend further actions. <br />For me, i give them the opportunity to slack off, show them that i am looking out for them and teaching them what i know. Sometimes my soldiers want to scatter off and sham out of things but when i stand firm on something they know to back down and listen.<br /> But this also means that i have to reward them for doing what i asked. This builds a strong subordinate/leadership bond and they know they can come to me for anything. On top of that, sometimes i have to take the hit for something they did. Then, turn around and explain to them what happened. Sometimes its as simple as ‘let me know where your going next time so i have something to fall back on’ and sometimes its ‘no, sorry this time i cant let you run off, i need you to be seen busy’.<br />I know its tough but its worth it. If you have problems, talk to your direct leadership. Ask for advice and tips... its unfortunate but you might need to ask them to reenforce your roll. This does look bad but it also looks good. You have exhausted yourself and shown that you know you need help and are willing to ask for it. It shows promise and strong character to admit you need an extra hand. <br />Most of all, dont try to bring the iron fist down on them or make drastic changes. That back fires hard. Small changes, and keep a list of soldiers that step up to do what you require. And a list of the soldiers who deny disrespect that request. They will get caught slacking off and when your leadership asks you why they are, you can tell them what happened. <br /><br />However, if you still feel its not worth it to you, you can step down. You will need to talk to your commander to intiate that and personally I wouldn’t want that conversation. Its better to fail than to give up.

2019-05-19T20:30:55-04:00 2019-05-19T20:30:55-04:00 CPL Gary Pifer 4651225

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Forget it......I went back active at age 46 as a CPL in 2003...don&#39;t take it seriously....I got kicked out of OCS in 85....my friend made it from enlisted to Major General....via OCS.....He got the stars...I saw the stars...PTSD...TBI...deafness...Crosseyed.

2019-05-20T02:14:10-04:00 2019-05-20T02:14:10-04:00 CPL Private RallyPoint Member 4656069

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Yes you can, I&#39;d suggest talking with your leadership about the issue it&#39;s just another DA 4187. Being in the same boat as you I&#39;ve faced the same issues but what I learned through the process is that it&#39;s not about being thanked its about establishing yourself as the perfect median between NCO and Jr Enlisted, your ultimate goal at this point is making points and getting promoted, if you&#39;re not getting the respect you think you deserve then maybe you should take an outside look at your leadership style and adjust as needed.

2019-05-21T14:14:41-04:00 2019-05-21T14:14:41-04:00 SSG Private RallyPoint Member 4667769

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Either soldiers don&#39;t understand the respect that should be given to corporals or soldiers around you don&#39;t respect you as a leader. Sometimes you need to take a look at yourself to make sure you are earning the respect that should be given to you. Yes it suck not getting paid for doing an NCOs responsibilities but if you&#39;re worried about the pay maybe you should look at other career options.

2019-05-25T12:49:45-04:00 2019-05-25T12:49:45-04:00 SPC Tameeka Swain 4668783

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I don’t know but it is common knowledge that CPL and SPC get paid the same as it is still the same E4 pay grade. It is not hard to achieve it’s just a appointment given to senior E4s that may not have enough promotion points to be an E5 and chain of command sees leader potential in the individual when you PCS , to my understanding when I was in, you do not keep your CPL you automatically go back to SPC unless your new chain of command appoints you as a CPL again bc it is still the E4 rank and paygrade .

2019-05-25T20:58:26-04:00 2019-05-25T20:58:26-04:00 SPC Tameeka Swain 4668821

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Also, if you only want rank for respect then idk what to advise you besides maybe the army isn’t for you. If you are an amazing NCO and embody the NCO creed and your soldiers look up to and respect you and you are a capable efficient soldier that’s all you need and confidence in yourself that’s the problem too many NCOs with only rank and time not the attitude or ethic care compassion knowledge drive and commitment . You want to be an NCO that makes positive change not just some ego chaser . I had very FEW Genuine good NCOs that cared and embodied what an NCO really was and that is to include my old battalion CSM (ret) who showed concern for my MST and what it was doing to me gave me the real deal. He could’ve easily signed my chapter packets but he spoke to me from the standpoint of a father and a CSM. To show concern for me, a SPC assigned to battalion attached to and working in a company and making sure that his troops were ok and open his door to meet with me and my NCO and 1SG and let me know he was available via the open door policy (of course he emphasized the fact that I would need to inform my chain of command first )if I needed help or advice. Soldiers in the position I was in need NCO that are fair and kind but still firm and discipline their soldiers as necessary but still counsel and push them to be better. NCOs that teach their soldiers the ropes and mold them into future leaders that will leave a great legacy with their superiors peers and soldiers this is long winded but i say this in hopes that the army gains a great NCO bc they need them and not egotistical selfish a-holes with rank

2019-05-25T21:18:45-04:00 2019-05-25T21:18:45-04:00 CPL Martin Guthrie 4682619

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Um Nope. Don&#39;t Resign cause YOU are showing fear to your underling&#39;s. You gain Respect by your actions and if you can&#39;t handle being CPL then how are you going to think the same guy&#39;s are gonna treat you different when promoted to SGT ? Buck up and be a Junior NCO and Show you have the work ethic to be promoted. It&#39;s NOT about what YOU like,It&#39;s just something YOU have to do. Good luck and watch your 6...

2019-05-30T12:46:17-04:00 2019-05-30T12:46:17-04:00 CPL Tara Kimble 4702086

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I feel for you. I taught the E-6 andE-7&#39;s their jobs. My SSG at the time got in touch with me recently and thanked me for explaining to him what his job was (he retiredMSG and I was a E-3 at the time)

2019-06-06T17:33:15-04:00 2019-06-06T17:33:15-04:00 CPL Michael Moore 4708809

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>The corporal is a Leadership rank in the black boot army we wore green leadership taps to identify a non commissioned officer. Behave like a leader it’s not about perks , someone saw the potential for leadership in you.

2019-06-09T14:17:40-04:00 2019-06-09T14:17:40-04:00 SPC Robert Hendrickson 6747672

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>one should enjoy the privilege even if an acting (Corporal)/or/ acting (Sergeant) … as I was an acting Cpl/E4. I would not resign unless an emergency arises or a justification of an action that calls for rescinding rank due to non compliance to a duty beyond your capabilities.. or your service time has ended or near ending

2021-02-14T21:54:34-05:00 2021-02-14T21:54:34-05:00 2019-05-18T00:06:36-04:00