Posted on Feb 7, 2020
In the Army, what is the difference between a SPC and a CPL? Which one is better to be promoted to?
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E4 Spec. or Cpl
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 9
LCpl Sandy Moran
ok I guess a Spec is a pay grade? And a Cpl is leadership. And Cpl is a junior nco.? If thats the case then why promote too E4 if your not ready to lead. Because this means spec. is just there for time in service no real accomplishment necessary. And cpl is something to be proud of. Is that why I see more specs then cpls?
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SGM Erik Marquez
LCpl Sandy Moran -
E4 is a pay grade...not a rank, not a duty position.
Corporal is a lateral promotion (so still pay grade E4) can happen when there is an open leadership position (SGT E-5) and a need to fill the slot.
CPL is a junior NCO leadership position (rank) If say an infantry platoon was short a squad leader, and they had a E4 specialist that showed good leadership potential, the PSG would ask the 1SG to seek promotion laterally to CPL
Army / unit regs often make it required that an NCO be assigned specific duties.. say CQ, Vehicle commander, Ammo NCO, Gunner. An army E4 SPC could not do those duties, but a CPL could...
E4 is a pay grade...not a rank, not a duty position.
Corporal is a lateral promotion (so still pay grade E4) can happen when there is an open leadership position (SGT E-5) and a need to fill the slot.
CPL is a junior NCO leadership position (rank) If say an infantry platoon was short a squad leader, and they had a E4 specialist that showed good leadership potential, the PSG would ask the 1SG to seek promotion laterally to CPL
Army / unit regs often make it required that an NCO be assigned specific duties.. say CQ, Vehicle commander, Ammo NCO, Gunner. An army E4 SPC could not do those duties, but a CPL could...
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SFC (Join to see)
In order for a SPC to be appointed to a CPL, one must be slotted in an E5 or higher position on the units manning document. If they are slotted in a E4 position or lower, they cannot be appointed to CPL. LCpl Sandy Moran
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In the Army, you are not promoted from PFC to CPL, you are advanced to SPC.
As a SPC, if you are on the promotion list for SGT but do not yet have BLC complete, when you are selected you are moved to an E5 position and laterally appointed to CPL until you complete BLC and promote to SGT.
As a SPC, if you are on the promotion list for SGT but do not yet have BLC complete, when you are selected you are moved to an E5 position and laterally appointed to CPL until you complete BLC and promote to SGT.
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Specialists are privates with more money. Corporals are NCOs with less money.
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SPC Stewart Smith
MSG (Join to see) - Well I was a specialists so I do know everything. Just message me if you need something perfected.
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