Should the Army bring back the Specialist titles?

Having been in the US Army Security Agency where we were directly reporting to the NSA, I can say that the specialist ranks were the only ones that provided our troops an opportunity for advancement. Many of our guys had college educations but decided to go Agency and with a four year enlistment requirement, along with high test scores and passing a TS/C clearance, the specialist rank was at least an opportunity. Once a spec. 5, you did have to attend an NCO school. I was offered staff sergeant (E6) if I re-enlisted and that would have been a "hard stripe", so there was some flexibility. (This was all during the Vietnam War and many of us were sent there.) You cannot attract or retain troops without some system of mobility and opportunity and shouldn't be constrained by passing a small number of hard stripes down the chain..

Geez, it will only take about 75 years for the Army to figure this out.

I was in Military Intelligence, detailed to the National Clandestine Service. I held SP4, SP5, SP6, and SP7 ranks, and was treated equally with SGT, SSG, and SFC. As a SP6(P), I even replaced the departing SFC NCO Infantry Advisor in Venezuela, while also performing my Intel responsibilities. Actually, being embedded with those I was advising was a perfect cover for conductintg HUMINT!!! I retired as a Major and I've probably been retired for too long to actually comment on whether or not the specialist grades should be resurrected. My opinion is that, whatever one is doing as his/her profession, the hard stripes appear to give one more respect and prominence that the specialist ratings.

I was not aware that the Army had done away with the specialist ranks. However, I would hope that MOS knowledge is a part of the soldiers overall evaluation. There is also a spectrum of ways to lead people and I am not sure home many ways the Army considers valuable. However, I am an outsider here as a Navy retiree and maybe look at things from a different perspective. In the the Navy one's specialty (MOS) is actually a part of his or her rank. It is called a rate. We take rating exams that are more rate intensive on E4-6 exams than the Chief's exam and there are none past that point with boards considering leadership skills more important as one progresses. This score is coverted to a standardized score, based on a t-score system and added to his or her subjective evaluation multipied by a given number with a few points for miscellaneous other things added into the final multiple. I know that there is a much greater need for overall infantry skills in the Army. However, MOS skills are important in many parts of fulfilling the overall mission. Many Navy ITs (information systems technicians), as well as other Navy specialists, such as explosive ordenance personnel have been sent to Afghanistan as IAs (individual augmentees) to support the Army in their role during OEF. Maybe it would help the Army to place more emphasis on MOS skills in determining leadership roles. However, if there is nothing on the sleeve to indicate these specialty skills, one has to carry a secure tablet around with everyone's service record--which is impractical in many ways. If they don't bring back the specialist ranks, maybe they could create some sort of MOS pin or badge for NCOs, so that they could be instantly recognized for their skills. These skills could also be considered as part of their advancement evaluations. Just two cents from an old squid. IT1(SW) Payne USNFR

I have been out of touch.
I go tout as an E4/SPC. So know WTH?

No the sp/4 to sp/6 rank ok to have but the rank of E-7 and above need to stay hard stripes

There is a place for those ranks in certain specialties.

Bullshit worst rank in the Army. I was promoted to Sgt E -5 in 1975 had 2 Sp5 type under my team. Had more time in grade than me. Their attitude fuck you. PUT me in a rock and a hard place. Then the fucking Assholes in Department of the Army. Decided our MOS will all be specialist . That was a fucking bad idea.. Period fuck that shit
11B specialist. Most fucked up shit that ever existed. How about Corporal
Don't bring that garbage back. Period

Yes

What about making them Tech Sergeants.