Posted on Sep 18, 2014
Should PFCs stand at "Parade Rest" for a SPC?
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We had Lieutenants saluting each other, now I ask this: Should an E-3 stand at the position of parade rest for an E4 Specialist (not a corporal)?
FM 7-21.13 The Soldiers Guide in Chapter 4 addresses customs and courtesies. It states that Soldiers junior in rank will stand at parade rest when addressing an NCO unless otherwise directed.
I remember when I was a PFC, I had a Specialist who was adamant about all E3s and below standing at parade rest in front of him. Was he right?
What say you RP?
FM 7-21.13 The Soldiers Guide in Chapter 4 addresses customs and courtesies. It states that Soldiers junior in rank will stand at parade rest when addressing an NCO unless otherwise directed.
I remember when I was a PFC, I had a Specialist who was adamant about all E3s and below standing at parade rest in front of him. Was he right?
What say you RP?
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 180
Yes i believe a private should stand at parade rest for a specialist. This comes with constraint. The private should only have to stand at parade rest for a specialist that has deployed. This will be a senior lower enlisted soldier with valuable knowledge in their field that privates will not know. I served in an Infantry company and this was the standard and I believe it also shows respect for a soldier that has deployed and been through the hardship. A non-deployed special is just a higher payed private to me.
Just my Opinion though
Just my Opinion though
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SSG (Join to see)
SPC Gomez,
I'm not trying to be a jackass about it, but think it through... if someone has to stand at parade rest (or offer any type of military custom or courtesy) just because someone else deployed, how far would it go? One deployment has to stand at parade rest for two deployments? Any idea how many of our senior leaders haven't deployed? Should we disregard them because of it?
Rank implies experience. It implies a certain amount of wisdom. THAT'S what we offer our respect to. The person who has deployed might have sat in an office drinking coffee for 6 months, while the person who didn't deploy might have been in charge of running their section.
To address your situation specifically - it sounds an awful lot like the work of the good idea fairy. Someone got a little full of himself and started demanding respect. Think of it like this... someone who wanted respect made that the rule, but a LEADER would have (and should have) shut it down.
I'm not trying to be a jackass about it, but think it through... if someone has to stand at parade rest (or offer any type of military custom or courtesy) just because someone else deployed, how far would it go? One deployment has to stand at parade rest for two deployments? Any idea how many of our senior leaders haven't deployed? Should we disregard them because of it?
Rank implies experience. It implies a certain amount of wisdom. THAT'S what we offer our respect to. The person who has deployed might have sat in an office drinking coffee for 6 months, while the person who didn't deploy might have been in charge of running their section.
To address your situation specifically - it sounds an awful lot like the work of the good idea fairy. Someone got a little full of himself and started demanding respect. Think of it like this... someone who wanted respect made that the rule, but a LEADER would have (and should have) shut it down.
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SSG (Join to see)
One more thing. For what it's worth, I'm glad you posted. This definitely isn't a site only for Senior NCOs, but there is a lot of experience lurking around. Read through the comments and use these guys' knowledge when you pin your stripes.
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The guy sounds like a Tool First Class. His leadership needs to make sure he doesn't wear stripes until he understands that they don't mean anything if the person behind them is an ass.
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SFC (Join to see)
SSG (Join to see) , he was and as far as I know he has long since separated from the Army.
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It's kind of an unwritten rule I believe although a spc in my book is just a glorified private it should be a respect for rank where I grew up e-1 went to parade rest for e-2 and so on
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SFC (Join to see)
While it is a sign of respect... It should not be required and then have the reg used as a reason when the reg states otherwise.
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I have heard people say that soldiers will stand at parade rest for soldiers of higher rank, but I have never seen any regulation specifying that any soldier will stand at parade rest for anyone other than NCOs. Sounds to me that this specialist was overstepping his bounds.
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While I wasn't infantry I was in an infantry battalion 1/508 PIR and every time a PFC came to a SPC he stood at parade rest
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I think you should only stand at parade rest for NCOs. You don't have to work for your e-4 it comes automatically with time in service. You shouldn't have to stand at parade rest for someone who really hasn't worked for their rank
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SPC Randy Torgerson
I am for the first time on RP actually offended by your comment PFC Eric Ziems. I worked damn hard for my SPC4 rank in the 1980's. They didn't give any corporal stripes out in Germany during my time there. SPC4's were team leaders in the infantry. I may not of demanded someone to stand at parade rest, but I can tell you that we worked for our SPC4. And guess what? They did not have to promote you to SPC4 then.
I guess the military has changed dramatically since I was in..... What happened....?
I guess the military has changed dramatically since I was in..... What happened....?
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SPC Eric Ziems
E-4 SPC comes automatically with 2 years time in service. Things must've been different when you were in. But from what I see in the army now it doesn't take much effort at all anymore to get your SPC.
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SPC (Join to see)
Sorry, I don't think its appropriate to go to parade rest for a SPC. Sorry, they are not NCOs. While they are team leaders and of course deserve respect, they are NOT NCOs. I am an infantryman as well and some units insist on going to parade rest for SPCs and I think it is silly.
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If the SPC is just talking to the lower ranking member than no, but if that PFC did something stupid and the SPC got to him before an NCO did than yes. In the AF, if an A1C does something stupid a SrA can pull him/her to the side, ***WITH*** a SrA who has graduated ALS or an NCO present.
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