Posted on Aug 25, 2015
How do we make Corporals in the Army relevant?
26.9K
139
53
39
39
0
If I could wave a magic wand, I would automatically make all promotable Specialists Corporals. If they don't deserve Corporal; stripes, they don't deserve Sergeant's stripes. If they lost their promotable status, they would then revert to Specialist. This would make the enable leadership to promptly identify and place hard charging E-4's in positions of greater responsibility without deference to senior E-4's who are not motivated to go through the promotion board process. Thoughts?
SFC (Join to see) SSG (Join to see) 1SG (Join to see) SGT Ben Keen MAJ Laurie H. SPC Tyler Frampton @
SFC (Join to see) SSG (Join to see) 1SG (Join to see) SGT Ben Keen MAJ Laurie H. SPC Tyler Frampton @
Posted in these groups: 
Promotions
SPC
Promotions SPC
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 31
0
0
0
We make them relevant by just like you said SSG Dickson, I was actually latterly promoted to corporal and placed in a squad leader mode because we were short NCO's and I was also promotable.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
That's actually an amazing idea although some spcs will become lazier after getting the rank so just gotta be careful with it
(0)
(0)
SSG David Dickson
True, but if they screw up, and lose their "P", they pretty go to the bottom of the heap and have to climb back up.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
spc are the backbone of the working force, its not a cpl or a sgt that is going to fix a problem. The spc may rock the sham sheild but if you want those aircraft up and running it will the spc to have it up and running the fastest. if you get rid of the spc and only have cpl then you will be relying on pfc's to fix things and you will see a lot more broken aircraft.
(0)
(0)
SSG David Dickson
Spc's are indeed the Skill level 1 subject matter experts. And so many of them are content to remain so for the remaining years of their military career. By all means! Remain a specialist in your field, do your time, and take your skillset & your honorable discharge into a great civilian life. All the more reason to promote SPC's who are boarded to CPL. That way even senior SPC's will not have to worry about being assigned a leadership role and can focus on their technical skills. Everyone wins!
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
First check your facts, not all MOS's use corporals. I know back in my days in Aviation you were given SPC4 because you deserve the promotion but one of two things. First they didn't need a squad leader, second your MOS doesn't allow you to have the corporal rank
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
The problem here is the misuse of promotions to CPL. It's original intention was to indicate the leadership role and responsibility of a fire team leader which is found only in combat arms MOS's. If you're not leading soldiers, there is no need for you to be a CPL. Corporal is not a rank that is meant to denote promotable status, yet that is where I see it most. I feel that the use of Corporal rank should be highly scrutinized and that those who hold the rank should at least be responsible for the health and welfare of actual soldiers. Otherwise, Specialist is just fine for the masses.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Sounds like a plan to me... I never went to the board and got my "P"... too busy keeping birds flying, and enjoying what little "down time" I had was more important. When I PCS'd to a different unit, I knew I wasn't going to make the Army a career so I didn't bother.
However, we had a CPL that came from a unit that didn't require the level of work, consequently he spent more time developing professionally... but wasn't as good at the MOS. So while I had awards and points, had run my own engine shop, filled slots meant for 8 soldiers, he had the stripes. That's fine, he followed the course that earned them... it just seemed like the course was flawed.
However, we had a CPL that came from a unit that didn't require the level of work, consequently he spent more time developing professionally... but wasn't as good at the MOS. So while I had awards and points, had run my own engine shop, filled slots meant for 8 soldiers, he had the stripes. That's fine, he followed the course that earned them... it just seemed like the course was flawed.
(0)
(0)
SSG David Dickson
No system is full proof, but yes, if you want to progress in the Army, you have to take your career in your own hands. In addition to keeping the birds flying, and maintaining your shop dress-right-dress, you have to go before the boards to progress through the ranks. This is not appealing to many Soldiers. They come, and serve their country as true patriots, but have no intention of making the Service a career. Hopefully, you were able to attain a number of certifications that transferred in the civilian world and are staying relevant in aviation repair. Or using that GI Bill to get you where you want to be in life.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
0
0
0
I support it. It'll provide the soldier a chance to properly develop leadership skills.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
CW3 (Join to see)
If they went to the board and passed it, and are therefore promotable, then that makes them worthy.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
I disagree that all Specialist should be Corporals. I actually think the majority have little or no business being corporals. I think all all E-4 should be trained and mentored in such away that they are ready for the next level but it seems like you want to make corporals E4.5s?
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google