What are the odds of getting promoted to Cpl rather than SPC?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Sep 2018 10:02:13 -0400

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2018 10:09 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Sep 2018 10:09:36 -0400

Not likely. The norm is being advanced to SPC. To get CPL in the Army (especially when not in a Combat Arms MOS), a DA Form 4187 for Lateral Promotion has to be approved. I say this because a Soldier in my current unit just got laterally promoted to CPL from SPC and this form was needed to have that happen.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2018 10:20 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Sep 2018 10:20:43 -0400

Not at all, really.
In the Army, all components, to be appointed CPL, you must be an E4 eligible for E5 in an E5 duty position.
You can't make CPL before SPC.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2018 10:39 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Sep 2018 10:39:19 -0400

I went from PFC to CPL. Even then it was still an up and over promotion. You have to be promoted to SPC to be promoted to CPL.

Response by 1SG Timothy Trewin made Sep 29 at 2018 11:26 AM

1SG Timothy Trewin — Sat, 29 Sep 2018 11:26:17 -0400

I commend you on wanting to pin CPL, but I am curious as to why? You will most likely see SPC first as CPL is a lateral promotion from there. Also you need to be filling an E5 position normally to be eligible for CPL.

Response by SSG Mark Franzen made Sep 29 at 2018 12:32 PM

SSG Mark Franzen — Sat, 29 Sep 2018 12:32:37 -0400

It's all up to the command have you been to a NCO Schools are you in a leadership role? There is a start I took every military school that I volunteered for all them I took a total of 34 school's.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2018 1:25 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Sep 2018 13:25:26 -0400

The CPLs in my BN are all sitting in SGT slots, but need to complete BLC. Once they graduate they get SGT. If they already have BLC then they just go right to SGT.

Response by MSG Frank Kapaun made Sep 29 at 2018 8:22 PM

MSG Frank Kapaun — Sat, 29 Sep 2018 20:22:20 -0400

I looked out my window and did not see any pigs flying. There’s your answer...

Response by SPC James McCullough made Sep 29 at 2018 11:35 PM

SPC James McCullough — Sat, 29 Sep 2018 23:35:14 -0400

As an 88M you specialise in driving that is not a leadership position you would be a SPC. CPL are in charge of other soldier just like a buck sergeant (E5 I bleave it is also refered to as a hard stripe).

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2018 1:55 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 01:55:03 -0400

Before you ask what the odd are, ask yourself these questions?
-Are you ready to be an NCO?
-Are you emulating what an NCO must BE/KNOW/DO?
-Are you living the NCO Creed?
-Do you have the knowledge to lead soldiers?
What are you doing that warrants you have EARNED the privilege to wear stripes? Learn your duty position FIRST. Be proficient. Be an expert at the level above you. A Specialist and a Corporal may be the same grade however, they are not the same rank. If you learn, become proficient, and take initiative, the Rank and Responsibility will come in time.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2018 4:05 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 16:05:54 -0400

I actually have a soldier who we are trying to promote to CPL however there isn’t an actual way to go from PFC to CPL, he is at eligible for a waiver to SPC which he is getting and once that goes through we will submit a 4187 for lateral promotion from SPC to CPL, so he won’t really sit as a SPC at all. A reminder tho, as a CPL you will hold an E5 slot with none of the pay, you will be expected to function and operate as a SGT with less of the respect from your peers and subordinates and you will get all the crap work but so does any brand new SGT, I held a SGT position as a SPC for a while, I avoided CPL like the plague, I just didn’t want which I think was a bad move. I feel if your gonna hold an NCO position you should be an NCO, I got none of the credit for any of the stuff I did as a SPC it all went to my Squad leader (E6). I think as a CPL you will get a lot of shit, but you will have more experience and a better understanding of being an NCO by the time you pin SGT. Once you get your SPC ask about, tell your NCO you want more responsibilities and let know and demonstrate that you are ready to take on the responsibilities of an NCO, either they give CPL or they will give you a board and BLC and set you up to pin SGT. Work it.