Should the Army bring back the Specialist titles?

Agree 100%

absolutely, In my early years I had many of them in my formation. They loved to cook, repair things or provide first aid. If you asked them, they would tell you they were happy doing that task and did not want to do anything else. Not everyone wants to lead some just want to be happy performing the task they enjoy

Hey Major, what a great topic...kind of gets at the heart of the Army. I'm going to lean towards a big fat "YES" bring them back! All the way up to SP9 if we have too! When I joined we still had SP6's as well, and the SP5's & 6's were professionals in their respective field Medical, Mess, Aviation, Mechanical, etc. they all were super good at what the did...all they needed was someone to lead them to the task, and the task was completed. I had the utmost respect for them. When I was an Infantry Squad Leader in the 82d, I had a SP4 (Yes not a SPC), and one day the 1SG, told me to start prepping him to go in front of the promotion board. When he and I sat down to discuss, it was one of the most honest conversation I had as an NCO and leader. Hey told me "Sergeant, I appreciate your's and the Commander's consideration, however, I'm an M60 Gunner, the best in the unit, and I have mastered that skill, and all of the soldiers in the platoon rely on me to provide covering and suppressive fire, and that is a role I cherish very much, I would rather be the best M60 gunner, than a terrible Team Leader" and he respectfully declined being sent to the board. To this day I never forget that conversation, and wish we would have kept the SP5 rank, I would have recommended promotion immediately for him.

Before the question can be addressed one needs to ask what is a active duty technician (specialist)? If he is someone who can recognize and operate the power on button then he is probably warrant officer/specialist material. The accurate and correct definition of someone who is highly qualified in his field (a specialist.) Would first be an individual (with emphasis on "individual") who can plan all power distribution and architectural requirements for the installation of very complicated equipment. He would have a through knowledge of the theory for the correct operation of the equipment. He would have the technical knowledge and professionalism to analyze, using complicated test equipment, in correcting any fault(s) while under extreme pressure. He must perform his duties with the highest degree of professionalism and without supervision. He must expect his fellow technical staff members to be very competitive and demanding of his technical competence. He would be a salaried (professional) employee. In short a specialist would be a"Prima Donna." Such a highly qualified person is not military material. Especially when one is truthful in their logic and accepts the fact a specialist in the military is first a "ditch-digger." who may have the opportunity to "see" some equipment from time to time. I believe the military mind is correct eliminating specialist ratings. As stated above it is misleading and just plain dishonest to call someone something they clearly are not. Second: History has proven no military organization can ever expect to achieve its mission if it is staffed by anything other then mind numb robots. Thus the overwhelming need for NCO/Officer ranks. Such a comment is not an insult it is just a simple truth. Highly educated technical people are by definition "individuals." Clearly not NCO/Officer material. In sum...the military mind got this one right!

The question is why was it stopped. After E-4 you have no chance to advance unless you get stripes. How many non leading E-5 and 6s are there. What a waste of man power for those who want to stay but not command. Date of rank does not make you a good leader

As a Specialist in the Army of past we were treated as inferior soldiers or Someone not deserving of positions of authority as leaders.
That was wrong, because without those specialist (logistician) then the fighting forces are helpless without, fuel, food, ammunition,transportation,financed and others
As a retired CW3 I understand the importance of the Specialist rank structure.

Yes they should bring it back. The only point of TV contention would be the pay scales. Because if one takes the route of leadership should be paid more, reason is they take on more responsibility than would a specialist.

That was the rank I was when i got out. Dont know y they would get rid of it .

Was Sp4 b4 Officer & unit Cdr. Always felt the Specialist was poor effort to civilianize Army. Bring the Tech ranks so absence of Sgts means there is still leadership. What's wrong with a Tech Sgt?

Maybe. When the motor pool, or flight line, chow hall or clinic gets bombed, your MOS immediately changes to 11B. If the leaders go as well, step up. If you can’t follow, you can’t lead; if you can’t lead, you can’t serve. It’s getting harder and harder to find people willing to lead but Sgts are the backbone of the military.