Posted on Jan 28, 2014
Should the Army bring back the Specialist titles?
952K
3.85K
1.21K
1.3K
1.3K
2
When I joined the Army we Specialist 4-6 (SP7 had just been discontinued). It provided those Soldiers who had technical expertise and experience the opportunity to progress and earn more pay. However they typically were not "green tab" leaders and were subordinate in rank to a "sergeant" of the same pay grade (SSG & SP6). I've often thought over the years that the Army deleted a program that brought added value to the organization by discontinuing these ranks, as not all Soldiers are not going to be good leaders but should have the opportunity to progress based on their occupational expertise.
Should the Army bring these ranks back?
Should the Army bring these ranks back?
Rank
Promotions
Specialist
Soldiers
SP6
Posted 12 y ago
Responses: 708
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
It did have it's place. Not every one is good a being a leader. But are very good at their jobb.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Absolutely. Take for example a medical corpsman. His role is not a leadership role, but it is a vital support role. Forcing him into a leadership role potentially compromises who he is.
(0)
(0)
SPC Patrick Koga
I couldn't agree more. A competent corpsman could be very incompetent in a command position. The specialist rank recognizes him for his training and his skills without forcing him into the Peter Principle of the higher level of incompetence.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
The more technical the MOS, the greater the need for proficient technicians. Many are just beginning to learn the MOS when they make E-5. Some MOS's need good technicians up through E-7. The technician program the National Guard has is one reason they outshine active duty when it comes to technical capabilities.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
One of the biggest challenges within some career fields, particularly outside the active component, is the lack of upward mobility in comparison to our line (Combat Arms/Combat Support) brethren.
If you figure one E-8, four E-7, twelve E-6, and 40 or so E-5 slots at the company level, multiplied by 4-5 at the battalion level, plus 2 E-9 slots and the HHC compliment of line guys in the staff sections. As a medic at the same level, we had a platoon with one E7, three E6, and about ten buck sergeants... at the brigade level there is finally an E8 slot.
Before folks start pointing out the hospitals and other brigade level elements, please recall that a brigade sized hospital usually is colocated with at least one line division... and for those of us who see our career as being in the field, a hospital assignment is a fate worth than death... or for an 11B being assigned to a drill position at Ft. Jackson... lol
Restoring SP/? ranks would allow the Army to retain highly qualified personnel who don't truly need to be leaders in order to conduct their missions.
If you figure one E-8, four E-7, twelve E-6, and 40 or so E-5 slots at the company level, multiplied by 4-5 at the battalion level, plus 2 E-9 slots and the HHC compliment of line guys in the staff sections. As a medic at the same level, we had a platoon with one E7, three E6, and about ten buck sergeants... at the brigade level there is finally an E8 slot.
Before folks start pointing out the hospitals and other brigade level elements, please recall that a brigade sized hospital usually is colocated with at least one line division... and for those of us who see our career as being in the field, a hospital assignment is a fate worth than death... or for an 11B being assigned to a drill position at Ft. Jackson... lol
Restoring SP/? ranks would allow the Army to retain highly qualified personnel who don't truly need to be leaders in order to conduct their missions.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google