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

As one who served in the green suit Army, I had the opportunity to serve with some senior specialists. They all served in technical fields but could be converted to hard stripes if their position required it. They didn't serve in combat arms unless they were maintenence positions. I didn't see a loss of NCO positions for any of the senior specialists' promotions. Most of those who were promoted above SP5 were in MOSs that were technical in nature and were designated 30 rather than 40 MOS trailers. My MOS 96B, actually split at E6 with tactical assignments being 96B40 SSG and strategic being 96B30 SP6. This later changed to 96B30 for both ranks. I saw no real shortcomings in the specialist ranks. It was a way of letting people advance in rank as they continued to serve. By not having them serve in leadership positions they were available at their duty positions pretty much 24/7. There were certainly advantages to that. Also most of the senior specialists that I served with were drawing proficiency pay based on their technical expertise. It also eliminated the dilema of more chiefs than indians. But times do change and so do the needs of the Army. I don't expect any changes on the horizon.

Yes on specialists grades up to e-6, and no on the technical grade because specialists already cover that. As far as e-7 SFC, I would have more respect for SFC then for a spec 7

A bunch of crybabies.
As a L/Cpl I ran an entire engineer section, while my SSgt was at his career development school.
As you can tell, I have strong opinions. That kept me out of being promoted.
But, I didn't go crying about it.

I look at the specialist grades of the Army and see how high they could possibly go.
And I looked at WO grades. I was getting around and seen there were some Specialists that had been picked to go to Hyde Park at the Culinary Institute and do a semester.. Some decided to not re-up and then go back to CIA(culinary Institute of America)and use their G.I. Bill and then re- enter as a W.O. and run a Food Service program in the Army.. in Mt case it’s out of reach as I’m 65 In a couple weeks . Back when I was a young man
This opportunity wasn’t around (about 35
Years ago). One other prob would
Of held me back even if it were.. my
TBI.. Wven though I got back in the AF..
demands of the Army are much different.

In technical fields such as the 94 series it certainly would be advantageous.

That would confuse the New troops

MPI, CID, MI, and cyber folks would fit in those categories well.

As I recall all those specialist ranks acted as if they were noncoms. Most were put in leadership positions of an NCO and treated as such by officers. Just saying.

I see no benefit to some of the past grades that gave no rise into NCO positions. Its nice to have people capable of certain tasks and being good at it but We also need leaders. Training and experience should produce NCOs not just people who are just there in their little corner and content with that. Most organizations upward mobility is into leadership, why should any branch of the Military service not follow that same logical path ?

Definately, when I was first promoted to Sergeant, I was not ready. I was 23 years old and damned good at my job. I was technically and tactically proficient. But, I was not ready to lead. I was lucky enough to have an awesome squad leader and fellow NCO's that helped mold me into someone that was ready to lead. But it took time. I could have probably better served as a SP5 for a while before pinning on Sergeant stripes.