Is a Lance Corporal (USMC) essentially the same as the Specialist rank in the Army?

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Sat, 20 Aug 2016 17:42:14 -0400

Is the scope of responsibility roughly the same for these two ranks? I don't really understand what a Lance Corporal would equate to in the Army.

Response by ENS Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2016 5:58 PM

ENS Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Aug 2016 17:58:41 -0400

Not as far as pay grade goes. A Lance Corporal is an E3 and the Specialist is an E4, but not in charge like a Corporal (Army E4). Great question. I will definitely need to do some research now.

*Lance Corporal is automatic after a certain time and can be achieved after graduating basic - in some cases can also be based on promotions in bootcamp and college credits. A Lance Corporal is expected to show leadership qualities and is given leadership privileges under the Corporal.

*Specialist is automatic with time in service and under certain circumstances may put on automatically by holding a 4 year degree. A specialist is however, under a Corporal, though a same pay grade.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2016 6:52 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Aug 2016 18:52:17 -0400

As has been pointed out Lance corporal is e3 compared to e4, but other than that they're the same. They are the guys who the team leader leans on to get the job done. They've got the experience, and sometimes the attitude.

Response by SGT Connor Haynes made Aug 20 at 2016 7:49 PM

SGT Connor Haynes — Sat, 20 Aug 2016 19:49:00 -0400

In a sense yes. Besides pay grade they are the same. One step below becoming a NCO. They should be on top of their game and when the time comes they are ready to lead as a NCO.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2016 7:58 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Aug 2016 19:58:11 -0400

In my limited experience, i have the impression that the LCpl is very similar in scope and responsibility to an Army Corporal

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2016 8:58 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Aug 2016 20:58:21 -0400

Yes

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2016 9:32 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Aug 2016 21:32:42 -0400

Functionally, it depends. There are some LCpl's that are doing the job of an Army SSG as a Squad Leader. Hence the unofficial title of "Senior Lance Corporal," which hold some sway amongst the "non-rates."

They Army has a way of not expecting as much out of their lower enlisted Soldiers as it regards to their rank. Typically, an Army PFC (also an E-3) has very little nor are they given much in the way of responsibility and expectations.

I personally believe that this example is one of the failures of the Army.

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Aug 20 at 2016 9:54 PM

LTC Yinon Weiss — Sat, 20 Aug 2016 21:54:19 -0400

I would say mostly yes. It is one rank below becoming an NCO. Also, although it's an E-3 and a Specialist is an E-4, Marines are ahead of Army peers in terms of rank responsibility. In the Marines an E-5 is an Infantry Squad Leader, in the Army it's an E-6. In the Marines an E-6 is a Platoon Sergeant, in the Army it's an E-7, etc. So Marines are one pay grade ahead in responsibility. For this reason, and the fact that it's the last non-NCO rank, I would say a Marine Lance Corporal and an Army Specialist can be viewed as similar. They will often also have similar time in service since Marines promote more slowly as well.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Aug 21 at 2016 12:44 AM

CSM Charles Hayden — Sun, 21 Aug 2016 00:44:17 -0400

CPT Aaron Kletzing The last time I attended a graduation at MCRD San Diego, there were a few Lance Corporals within the graduates. Does the Army now graduate Specialists from Basic?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2016 1:05 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Aug 2016 01:05:50 -0400

No. A CPL is an NCO. A SPC is not.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Aug 21 at 2016 8:22 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Sun, 21 Aug 2016 08:22:04 -0400

Yes & no.

We promote to NCO (Cpl = E4) from the LCpl grade, whereas the Army promotes to NCO (almost always SGT = E5) from Specialist. We don't have the same NCO/Non-NCO divide (either with Split Grade or Transition to next rank). Our expectations tend to be "different" as well. We have no problem putting a Non-NCO in charge, based on seniority or capability.

The idea of a "Senior LCpl" (positional authority based on TIG) is a very real thing for us. Just because someone is not wearing "hard stripes" doesn't mean we won't treat them like they are.

Additionally, because our promotion system is generally 1 rank down from the Army, combined with Billet T/O structure being the same, we start applying more leadership development earlier. USMC E2-E3 (PFC & LCpl) are "automatic" where Cpl & Sgt are "statistical" (based on an Objective Composite Score system) and all others are "Formal Board" at the HQMC level. The Army parallels that at E1-4 being "automatic," SGT & SSG being "statistical" (with Less formal Board at unit level) and all others being Formal Board at Army level. It is not uncommon for LCpl to be the "terminal" rank within the USMC just as Specialist is for the Army.

So "functionally" they can be viewed very similarly with likely more authority & responsibility on the LCpl side, and "philosophically" they are much farther apart. We just treat the transition process differently, even though we promote similarly.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2016 12:06 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 12:06:16 -0400

i thought that lance corporal is an E-3 ? because specialist is an E-4

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2016 9:27 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 21:27:31 -0400

The biggest difference is the pay grade.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 23 at 2016 10:44 AM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 10:44:37 -0400

I would respond since at one point of time i was a terminal Lance haha but never a specialist only a corporal when i switched branches. But Sgt Kennedy pretty much nailed it.

Response by SPC Timmie Ballard made Sep 2 at 2016 1:12 PM

SPC Timmie Ballard — Fri, 02 Sep 2016 13:12:12 -0400

If a Lance corporal is an E4, then yes. But Specialist is the term for someone other than Combat. Mote geared towards Intelligence and/or Administrative Field.

Response by LCpl Michael Parker made Sep 27 at 2016 12:40 AM

LCpl Michael Parker — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 00:40:10 -0400

Essentially yes

Response by Sgt Jarrod Tallman made Sep 29 at 2016 5:49 PM

Sgt Jarrod Tallman — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 17:49:40 -0400

Hell no

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2016 9:27 AM

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 09:27:32 -0400

That is a negative a lance corporal is an E3 and a specialist is an E4.

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Oct 2 at 2016 11:00 AM

Sgt Wayne Wood — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 11:00:21 -0400

No! A lance corporal is in the command chain

Response by LCpl Gerry Townsend made Oct 6 at 2016 11:18 AM

LCpl Gerry Townsend — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 11:18:20 -0400

I have no idea what army ranks are.

Response by LCpl Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2016 11:10 PM

LCpl Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Oct 2016 23:10:16 -0400

Sp4 is an E-4 buy not a Corporal which is also an E-4. L/Cpl is an E-3, the Marine Corps doesn't have a "specialist" rank. They just tightened up the promotion to Corporal (first NCO rank) When you get promoted to an NCO in the Corps, you're expected to be an NCO and earn the pay that comes with it. Having served in both the Marine Corps and Army, I always felt the Specialist ranks were just to give a person not qualified yet to be an NCO but qualified to earn more money in their MOS, such as finance. When taking charge regardless of time in grade, a Corporal will always outrank a Sp4.

Response by LCpl Brent Carlson made Nov 4 at 2016 11:27 PM

LCpl Brent Carlson — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 23:27:32 -0400

A L place is the backbone of the Corps. No's give direction and Lcpl's get the job done

Response by LCpl Stephen Arnold made Nov 10 at 2016 1:01 PM

LCpl Stephen Arnold — Thu, 10 Nov 2016 13:01:27 -0500

I got out of the Corps a "Terminal Lance Corporal", and joined the Army National Guard (HUGE culture shock!). I've worn all three ranks (Marine LCPL, Army SPC/CPL); they call the Specialist rank insignia the "Sham Shield" for a reason; you can always pawn off responsibility of leadership, if you choose to, to a Corporal, then turn around and pawn off the shit details to lower ranking troops. Then again, as a "Senior Lance Coolie" if you play it right you can do the same thing. Bottom line, when field day came along in either branch I served, Lance Corporals and Specialists are the first to be drinking beer cuz the "Troops" are working and the Non coms are leading! Best of both worlds.

Response by LCpl Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2016 7:20 PM

LCpl Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Nov 2016 19:20:06 -0500

PFC Army E-3 = L/Cpl E-3 Marine Corps pay grade wise but that is the only comparison you could make. SPC 4 is an E-4 and a Corporal in the Corps is an E-4 pay grade wise. There is NO comparison period. When the Army had Sp4cialist ranks E-4 through E-9, the designation made sense. The rank was an expansion of the Army 'Tech" ranks (T-Cpl -T-Sgt and T-6 (he equivalent of an Staff Sgt.). In essence the rank was for a specialize function/job with no responsibilities for operational duties although some assumed normal NCO responsibilities when needed.

The SPC-4 s the last remaining non-operational rank left. It's like the Army Medical Corps, doctors and nurses JAG and Navy Lawyers and doctors given an officers rank but not really. On the line any infantry Officer has the responsibility of command over any doctor or lawyer of equal rank.

In the Corps, as I mentioned before, an E-4 is a corporal and MUST perform and be qualified beefore getting prmoted whereas any Army PFC can become a SPC4 with T&G

Response by LCpl Dan Todd made Nov 29 at 2016 6:54 PM

LCpl Dan Todd — Tue, 29 Nov 2016 18:54:10 -0500

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Dec 21 at 2016 2:16 AM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 02:16:32 -0500

A Lance Corporal in the USMC is an E3, the equal of a Private First Class in the Army or an Airman First Class in The Air Force, all are E3s The Army specialist Grade of SP4 is an E4 and a Corporal in the USMC or Army is also an E4 and an NCO in the USAF an E4 is a Senior Airman and not an NCO.

Response by Cpl Rock DeAugustine made Jul 29 at 2017 6:42 PM

Cpl Rock DeAugustine — Sat, 29 Jul 2017 18:42:22 -0400

um, no. A Lance Corporal is a time honored rank that is just pre-nco.

Response by SSG Barry Millington made Jul 30 at 2017 11:35 PM

SSG Barry Millington — Sun, 30 Jul 2017 23:35:38 -0400

Response by 1SG F Raymond made Aug 1 at 2017 11:06 AM

1SG F Raymond — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 11:06:51 -0400

A LCpl is an E3 and a SP4 is an E4.

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Aug 1 at 2017 5:39 PM

Sgt Wayne Wood — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 17:39:15 -0400

Lance is E-3 and is in chain of command

Response by CPL Tom Duffy made Aug 3 at 2017 3:03 PM

CPL Tom Duffy — Thu, 03 Aug 2017 15:03:56 -0400

Yes

Response by LCpl Dan Pinckley made Aug 3 at 2017 10:48 PM

LCpl Dan Pinckley — Thu, 03 Aug 2017 22:48:21 -0400

Not the same

Response by Sgt George Smithii made Aug 6 at 2017 11:22 AM

Sgt George Smithii — Sun, 06 Aug 2017 11:22:52 -0400

Whatever an E3 is in the army

Response by SSgt Deen Davis made Aug 6 at 2017 3:21 PM

SSgt Deen Davis — Sun, 06 Aug 2017 15:21:42 -0400

It does not equate to any specialist rating the Army has, but rather steeped in tradition from Great Britain's Royal Marines, where we have borrowed many of their traditions. The Marine L/Cpl. "E-3", is in the transition role between PFC, and Coporal, where they have demonstrated proficiency in leadership, MOS, as well as basic infantry skills.

Response by Cpl John Bucceroni made Aug 6 at 2017 10:51 PM

Cpl John Bucceroni — Sun, 06 Aug 2017 22:51:23 -0400

It equals an E-3

Response by PO1 Jerry Adcock made Aug 7 at 2017 8:18 PM

PO1 Jerry Adcock — Mon, 07 Aug 2017 20:18:00 -0400

No.

Response by Cpl Jeff Martinson made Aug 10 at 2017 10:17 PM

Cpl Jeff Martinson — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 22:17:09 -0400

No Lance Corporal is an E-3.

Response by CPO Rj Gryder made Aug 19 at 2017 11:34 PM

CPO Rj Gryder — Sat, 19 Aug 2017 23:34:15 -0400

Fire team leader, maybe squad leader depending on the number of casualities.

Response by SSgt Julius Bob Midgett made Aug 25 at 2017 12:00 PM

SSgt Julius Bob Midgett — Fri, 25 Aug 2017 12:00:57 -0400

No a lance corporal USMC is in training for NCO and many times perform in the capacity of an NCO

Response by LCpl Danial Hahn made Aug 27 at 2017 11:36 AM

LCpl Danial Hahn — Sun, 27 Aug 2017 11:36:32 -0400

Basically,yes.

Response by LCpl Milton Parker made Sep 5 at 2017 12:45 AM

LCpl Milton Parker — Tue, 05 Sep 2017 00:45:20 -0400

Nope LCPL in the USMC is a PFC in the Army

Response by SPC John Driskill made Sep 5 at 2017 6:21 PM

SPC John Driskill — Tue, 05 Sep 2017 18:21:32 -0400

Lance Corporal= PFC

Response by LCpl Earl Smith made Nov 14 at 2017 3:17 AM

LCpl Earl Smith — Tue, 14 Nov 2017 03:17:58 -0500

PFC in the Army a Specialist is an E4

Response by LCpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2018 7:53 AM

LCpl Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 07:53:42 -0500

An e-3 is a lance corporal which is the last rank before NCO. After E-3 we have CPL which is an e-4 and the first NCO rank sir.

Response by LCpl Manuel Lopez made Jan 25 at 2018 10:44 AM

LCpl Manuel Lopez — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 10:44:03 -0500

Does the Army have an underground, fightclub style network of crafty fuckers that can make just about anything happen, without it being "officially" done? ANYTHING. The LanceCriminal Network is a thing of ours, not sure if the Army has a similar system in place.

Response by SSG Walter Corretjer made Feb 4 at 2018 4:58 AM

SSG Walter Corretjer — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 04:58:02 -0500

Not similar at all.A Lanced Corporal is a hard leadership rank,

Response by Matt Moon made Mar 15 at 2018 4:28 PM

Matt Moon — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 16:28:44 -0400

Marine Corps- Lance Corporal is a E-3 Pay Grade . Same as a Army PFC - Private First Class.

Response by LCpl Troy Anderson made Apr 9 at 2018 12:20 PM

LCpl Troy Anderson — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 12:20:52 -0400

No Lcpl is an e 3 same as army pfc

Response by LCpl Mike Moore made Jun 5 at 2018 4:28 PM

LCpl Mike Moore — Tue, 05 Jun 2018 16:28:21 -0400

A Lance/Com. Is equal to a PFC in the army but with more responsibility

Response by SP5 Alan Binkerd made Jun 24 at 2018 9:29 PM

SP5 Alan Binkerd — Sun, 24 Jun 2018 21:29:11 -0400

Lee Marvin is listed on his Arlinton Grave marker as a PFC.
He was USMC. Should it have been Lance Corporal or is PFC correct?

Response by SP5 Alan Binkerd made Jun 24 at 2018 9:34 PM

SP5 Alan Binkerd — Sun, 24 Jun 2018 21:34:53 -0400

Thanks for responses! Bless you all for service and support. Lee Marvin fought in the Pacific
theater, and was wounded in The Battle for Saipan(sp?). One tough guy! Just curious about
ranks. You 51 are wonderful ! Thx for responding-
Alan B 2/11 Arm Cav VietNam 67-68

Response by SGT Jamison Calloway made Feb 5 at 2019 8:40 PM

SGT Jamison Calloway — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 20:40:20 -0500

Lance corporal is the same as Army E 3

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Feb 5 at 2019 8:42 PM

Capt Mark Strobl — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 20:42:52 -0500

USMC LCpl = Army 2ndLt.

Response by Cpl Mike Mcdole made Mar 6 at 2019 6:59 PM

Cpl Mike Mcdole — Wed, 06 Mar 2019 18:59:27 -0500

A corporal in army since rank is one rank higher than army

Response by Cpl Bernard Bates made Jul 21 at 2019 5:14 PM

Cpl Bernard Bates — Sun, 21 Jul 2019 17:14:32 -0400

Not really. Marine L/CPL,s are taught to be leaders. Because before 1958 an E-3 in the Marine Corp was A CPL. Because every Marine is a Rifleman they are all taught to be leaders. Its always next man up when needed. Even though a L/CPL. is not an NCO. they can be used like a Cpl. if necessary. Even in the Army in Vietnam it was next man up. One reason was the High casualty rate. Semper fi.

Response by CPT William Jones made Mar 22 at 2020 6:01 PM

CPT William Jones — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 18:01:18 -0400

Lance corporal is an e-3 in marines. A specialist is an e-4 as is a two stripe corporal in the army.

Response by SSG Kenneth Ponder made Jul 9 at 2020 1:23 AM

SSG Kenneth Ponder — Thu, 09 Jul 2020 01:23:26 -0400

No. It's a E3 in the Marines. Spec 4 is an E4 in USArmy

Response by Cpl Bernard Bates made Dec 22 at 2020 12:01 AM

Cpl Bernard Bates — Tue, 22 Dec 2020 00:01:50 -0500

A Marine L/Cpl. is taught Leadership and I believe has more responsibility than a Specialist in the Army . I was a Marine L/Cpl. on Okinawa in 1961. The Marines had floating Infantry Battalions. When they boarded ship, the ammo Tech. 2311 was in charge of the working parties, the infantry provided to load the ammo aboard ship to navy regulations. We wore Ammo Tech Armbands and directed the working party where to store ammo. Sometimes their would be a 2nd. LT. in charge of a working party but we were in charge The officer directed his working party to do as we told him. WE were responsible to the Ships Capt. to make sure the ammo was stored to Navy regulations. In the Army Specialists are not considered leaders. I was a SP/5 in the army after I got out of the Marine corp. If an NCO> was required I acted as an NCO. If a peon was required I was treated as a peon. I never liked the Specialist rank the Army I would rather have stripes. Semper Fi.

Response by SPC Charles Nesbitt made Dec 31 at 2020 3:05 PM

SPC Charles Nesbitt — Thu, 31 Dec 2020 15:05:41 -0500

I would think a Lance Corp. is the same as a Corp. in the army which is the same as SP/4 but Specialist don't lead and specialize in their field.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Mar 11 at 2021 3:58 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Thu, 11 Mar 2021 15:58:04 -0500

I would say no, an E-4 is still an E-4, an E-3 is not an E-4. IMHO I would like to see the Army transition SPC to CPL once the SPC has completed & passed his board for SGT. THis gives them a time to transition to being an NCO.

Response by LCpl Toby Studabaker made Aug 27 at 2021 12:19 PM

LCpl Toby Studabaker — Fri, 27 Aug 2021 12:19:44 -0400

I would equate it to between army pfc and specialist, is a specialist considered a NCO? If so it is not tge same as LCPL in Marines.

Response by SPC Rodger Bell made Apr 21 at 2022 7:39 AM

SPC Rodger Bell — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 07:39:22 -0400

I never figured out what was a MSG job or position, what do they do