In today's modern military, would there be any benefit to an enlisted structure similar to that of the past?

When they changed over to the non specialist grade I had an 88M ask me why do I need hard stiles. The only thing I command is my truck. Enough said. Sometimes troops are smarter than their command

I think there is a place to bring back T SGTs. Yes, they are NCOs but primarily techs first. Many MOSs can use these: Logistics, Medical, Cyber, AG/Music, etc. Also is you are over strength you make those in leadership hard stripes and the the rest Ts.

My honest opinion is no,I was in during those rank structures ,i was a Spec/5 in in a leadership position,and we do lead from a different structure,it still boils down that we still had to lead and be leaders in positions that required us just not as technicians but Soldierly Army things also,There is no reasons to change the ranks system again,it will just bring back the mentality that your just a technician and not worthy of being a NCO in the United States Army.

First, we have annual pay increases for non-NCOs, but they end after the DOD determines they should have promoted. Then the soldier is booted from the Army at some point.

Second, promotions are given as leadership positions. Pay and responsibility increase at the same time.

There may be some need for higher spec. racks, but only maybe to e6. In the civilian world most promotions come with supervisory responsibility. This is not always true. Sometimes there are tech positions that require more knowledge, skill or training the warrant a higher pay grade.

The difference is the civilian world doesn’t fire you if you’re still useful and cost effective.

Here’s the correlation, if a specialist is doing a job that doesn’t require supervisory skills, and can pass the PT test, they should not be removed from the Army or loose annual pay increases unless their job can easily be done by a brand new specialist. If it is a job that does require a higher skill set, but no supervisory skills, spec 5 or 6. This is only needed to compete with the civilian world.

I think about this daily. Other branches take tests to promote on job proficiency, why cant the Army? We are the only branch where you can make it all the way to the top without knowing a thing about what your actual job is. They need to bring back the technical ranks and stop forcing people to be leaders that dont want to lead. I think this needs to change like yesterday!!!

The military is about learning leadership. Whether you're a lifer or just in it for a few years leadership skills should be learned in some form or another. It'll be awfully weird looking at a 40 or 50 something in any branch of the military who hasn't learned any leadership skills.

I say, get rid if Specialist altogether. Breed leaders. Make them. Either they will lead or they will leave.

As far as I see it, the army wants people able and willing to lead or at least develop those skills. Just like any other job, if they aren't fit for leadership or don't want to progress, they can find another job. The motivation to do and be better is something they try to instill at basic. I mean, worst case is join the Reserves or National Guard to keep your service going and go find something on then civilian side to do. But the expectation to continue growing isn't a problem unless a person is complacent. Finally, what we should be asking is what happens when lateral promotions come into play and then they have a need for leaders and none to fill the positions? Just look at Special Forces. They don't even have enough people to fill an entire squad properly anymore (per Tim Kennedy) because recruits aren't motivated anymore. Too many people enlisting for the benefits and not to truly serve and "be all they can be".

I’ve been thinking about this one for a while, because I have a soldier who is very experienced and great at his job, but maybe not leadership material at this time. I think the Army should bring back spec-5 and 6 for soldiers like him. No need to have anything higher than that. The idea being, that soldiers who excel in their career field, but are not necessarily ready for the responsibility that comes with being an NCO, can receive the extra pay and respect befitting their seniority. And obviously, they could promote to SGT from either of those additional ranks, when they are more prepared for that leadership role.

Isnt that the (unstated) purpose of Warrant Officers? They are experts in their field but do not want ro command ?