Is it worth becoming a Corporal to eventually become a Sergeant, or is it best to stay a Specialist and eventually become a Sergeant?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 01:04:17 -0500

Is it worth becoming a Corporal to eventually become a Sergeant or is it best to stay a Specialist and eventually become a Sergeant? My goal is to eventually become an NCO overall.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2020 1:13 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 01:13:23 -0500

Take that CPL rank and be proud of it.

Response by SSG Brian G. made Mar 2 at 2020 1:16 AM

SSG Brian G. — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 01:16:00 -0500

Not every unit has CPL's. Some do, most do not. CPL is the optional junior tier of NCO. If you have a chance that you earn? Take it. Your soldiers will thank you later once you become a SGT.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2020 2:09 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 02:09:02 -0500

Definitely take it. In my opinion it’s great for developing oneself as a leader.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2020 4:07 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 04:07:38 -0500

The Corporal Rank gets a lot of crap for still being E4, however that's the wrong mentality! E4 is a pay grade. Corporal is a rank and NCO. Wear it, be proud, and stand out above your peers. Think of it like an internship to becoming SGT. You will be better for it.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2020 5:35 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 05:35:27 -0500

Nothing wrong with being made CPL before SGT. What it means to me is “CO and 1st SGT see your potential, but can’t give you SGT at the moment either due to TIG requirements or some other reason, but they see your potential as an NCO so they give you CPL to distinguish you from other SPC ranks in your unit”. I’d take it as a complement and use it to work on taking some further leadership roles. Yes it’s the same pay with more responsibilities, but welcome to the military where you’re going to eventually do more than what someone should and would normally do at your pay grade.

Response by 1LT William Clardy made Mar 2 at 2020 7:22 AM

1LT William Clardy — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 07:22:09 -0500

It depends on your reason for wanting that lateral promotion.
If you're looking at it solely as a stepping stone to getting promoted to sergeant, probably not. Being a corporal can be more of a headache than being a sergeant, because even though you can be saddled with a sergeant's responsibilities, you will always have to work harder to garner the respect and authority which other folks automatically grant to a sergeant. You'll find yourself working harder while you're waiting for that third stripe, and probably resenting it.
On the other hand, if you are a soldier who wants to be a good leader and take pride in what you accomplish, a lateral promotion to corporal will be give you just a bit more opportunity to lead and learn without waiting for a change in pay grade. If you're good, you'll learn how to command as much respect, trust and obedience as if you had that third stripe.
I always considered the months I spent putting on a pair of stripes to have been very rewarding in their own right, and I've never had the misfortune to know any other corporals (or former corporals) who regretted being one (despite our willingness to loudly commiserate about having to do sergeants' work on specialists' pay and always being the top pick for detail NCOIC).
One other bit of advice: If you do get promoted, ask that it be done on written orders (what we used to call "hardstripe') instead of VOCO, so it doesn't evaporate if you get assigned elsewhere. Once you've worn them properly, just the the idea of taking off your corporal stripes will sting.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Mar 2 at 2020 8:23 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 08:23:23 -0500

Corporal is an NCO. If your unit is willing to pin Corporal on you and you are prepared to handle the responsibility (with guidance) then you should go for it. As a general practice becoming a Cpl. is a tough transition and should come with it deffinative support from your COC until you gain the respect of your peers. It should already be evident that you are ready to step up.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Mar 2 at 2020 8:43 AM

SFC Stephen King — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 08:43:56 -0500

SGT Private RallyPoint Member great question, the bottom line is a CPL is a NCO and if your leadership is looking at you in this capacity you should be happy to accept the responsibility.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2020 9:15 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 09:15:49 -0500

I always expected more from a CPL than a SGT. Why? In my experience, CPLs had to have demonstrated a level of performance expected of a SGT, but didn't meet the TIS/TIG requirements to be promoted to SGT, and many times they filled a SGT position.
As others pointed out, not every unit or career field has CPLs.
I suggest you consider working to be a great NCO, and the grade and rank will come. Dig into TMs, FMs, and ARs, to gain the knowledge needed to apply to situations you'll face.
Look at memoranda for SOM/SOQ boards for your reading list. Dedicate a couple of months to studying those publications and attend a board. Learn what you did well, and what you need to correct to do better.
Spend the extra time to improve on basic Soldiers skills: weapons, first aid, map reading, land navigation,....
Know your career progression for your MOS, so you can plan a career and seek key positions, rather than passively accept assignments. Work on preparing for promotion 2 grades ahead.

Response by CSM Chuck Stafford made Mar 2 at 2020 9:16 AM

CSM Chuck Stafford — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 09:16:12 -0500

If your goal is to become an NCO -- BOOM, Corporal you're an NCO. If your CSM thinks you should be an NCO in his/her organization - take the ball and run with it. Good Luck!

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Mar 2 at 2020 9:16 AM

SGT Dave Tracy — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 09:16:34 -0500

As others have said, a Corporal is an NCO. Many people--such as myself--have made sport of the whole SPC/CPL dynamic, but when you set that aside, it is not a bad place to get your NCO feet wet...especially if you are already (or have been) in a leadership position as a SPC; because that's sometimes a hard position to be in without the aegis of "non-commissioned officer" behind you. Trust me, I know!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2020 9:43 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 09:43:58 -0500

I take it you haven't seen Star Ship Troopers! "Corporal Rico!!!"

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2020 9:45 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 09:45:18 -0500

twice the responsibility for the same money? sign me up. lol Seriously though, it can't hurt. But to be honest, in 36 years I've never seen anyone where becoming a CPL helped them make SGT faster. It just always seemed like a ripoff to me. The Army gets another NCO and you basically do the job of a SGT but they still get to pay you like a SPC. I was a Company CO as a 1LT and it didn't help me get promoted to CPT a single day sooner.

Response by COL John McClellan made Mar 2 at 2020 12:57 PM

COL John McClellan — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 12:57:57 -0500

If there is an e-5 position vacant in the unit, then you can be laterally appointed a CPL - an NCO leader! And what better training is there for becoming a SGT than performing the duties of a SGT?? Good luck!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2020 3:26 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 15:26:54 -0500

I don't know you nor your unit personally so I'll just add my 2 cents based off my experience thus far in the army. All the CPLs I've encountered besides 2 behaved no different than a SPC. And for all intents and purposes, I've never seen the need for CPLs in my experience, mainly due to the fact that when I did see guys get CPL rank, it was usually so the CoC can technically have a NCO to lead shitty details. I myself went from SPC to SGT.

That being said however, if you really do want to become a NCO and fully embody what it means to be a NCO in the army, take the CPL rank if the opportunity presents itself. I've been told, and found it true that SGT can be the toughest rank on the enlisted side because you're at the point where you're leading troops and have each one of them to account for, as well as all the shit that rolls down the CoC. I think that wearing the CPL proud would better prepare you for the challenges that comes with pinning on SGT. Again, I think it comes down to the individual and the unit but I don't see it hurting you if you step up to the plate and show your unit that you do have the drive to become a NCO.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2020 5:59 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Mar 2020 05:59:00 -0500

There is with becoming a corporal if your leadership and COC support it. Just don't become complacent and loses sight of your goal to become a SGT. I believe becoming a corporal will help your mental transition as a leader. Best of luck to you.

Response by SPC Cherry Allen made Mar 5 at 2020 6:40 PM

SPC Cherry Allen — Thu, 05 Mar 2020 18:40:38 -0500

Specialist...same pay less work