Posted on May 19, 2018
What is my rank supposed to be after a break in service, SPC or CPL?
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I was on active duty a long time ago and recently went back in to the guard. When I got out I was E-5, but due to break in service I was only able to enlist now as an E-4. The contract stipulates a pay grade of E-4 but no specific rank. This is where it is getting hard for me to figure out. Before I was a SGT I was a CPL. I was actually promoted to CPL with a DA4187 that I still have. What I am trying to figure out is if being reverted back to E-4 automatically makes me a SPC or a CPL. All the paperwork they have done so far says SPC but I think that's only because they weren't aware of this or didn't know. When I showed up for reception some of the senior NCOs there seemed to think I should be a CPL because I was "officially" promoted and it wasn't just a verbal thing in the unit. Just to be clear, it doesn't matter to me what my rank is but obviously I want to do the right thing here. I also want to figure it out before I spend $$ getting the wrong rank sewn on to all my tops.
I dug into the regs and found AR600-8-19 (7-11) that stipulates when a a soldier changes units they will normally retain rank of CPL unless there is a lateral appointment back to SPC. There is another reg that states a CPL can serve in a non-NCO duty position as well. 600-8-19 gives a list of reasons why a CPL can be administratively reduced to SPC and they are all basically for derogatory reasons. A break in service does not come up.
Just posting to see what others think about this.
I dug into the regs and found AR600-8-19 (7-11) that stipulates when a a soldier changes units they will normally retain rank of CPL unless there is a lateral appointment back to SPC. There is another reg that states a CPL can serve in a non-NCO duty position as well. 600-8-19 gives a list of reasons why a CPL can be administratively reduced to SPC and they are all basically for derogatory reasons. A break in service does not come up.
Just posting to see what others think about this.
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Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 12
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SGT Joseph Gunderson
No, he likely cannot. CPL is awarded to E4s as needed by a chain of command. That is it. In fact, you can be promoted to CPL in one TCB, transferred a month later to a sibling TCB, and be immediately dropped back down to CPL. You have no say in retaining CPL. Try again.
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depends on the unit, I went back as a cpl. took a squad leader position and was promoted to 5 within a short time. yes they had an abundance of specialist all non pro. and needed to fill slots for deployment. I also told them I was laterally promoted to cpl by Gen Taylor and would not give that up
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You do know that we have damn few CPL's in the service right? It will be doubtful that you will be a CPL, since I imagine you will have to go thru some sort of OSUT/AIT training. Making you an NCO would cause many problems with you as a trainee in a training unit.
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SPC (Join to see)
I do not require any training, I am already assigned to a unit and MOSQ. I don't know about other MOSs but in the infantry we have a ton of CPLs particularly in the guard. I was told the reason for this is that the regs recently changed that I think the NCOES course is a requirement to actually pin E5 so all the promotable E4s are stuck waiting for the course availability to get pinned.
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SPC (Join to see), as may have stated there some different answers depending on what regulation you are looking at and one reg doesn't necessarily trump the other. When you were originally promoted to CPL, I'm assuming it was not from DA since you said you still have the 4187. That being said I believe you should sew on SPC, if your CPL rank was given to you by DA it would be on official promotion orders in which case you should wear CPL. All that being said if I were you I would show up wearing SPC and expect to be quickly promoted to SGT again. Let your knowledge and leadership speak for itself. Your leaders will see your leadership ability and potential and reward you accordingly.
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SPC (Join to see)
CSM it was a 4187 only so wearing SPC was the route I took. It was some of the staff NCOs that saw the lateral and pointed out I may have been wrong to pin SPC but I’m inclined to agree with most posters here. It may be irrelevant since it was mentioned I will be in a leadership position and will likely be laterals back up since I’ve completed PLDC or whatever it is called now. The only issue I’m having is constantly being stopped by NCOs asking why a SPC has so many badges ... “what did you do to get busted down??” Haha. I tell them I decided to get back in, and for my sins they let me.
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CSM Eric Biggs
You can always tell them that’s what happens when you’re on active duty, you get “scare (fuck) me” badges and ribbons.
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Since you had got out of the service you lost the Sgt rank and then when you got back in you were put as SPC and not cpl only because you can not enlist into the service as a cpl. In order to get the cpl rank back you must be laterally promoted again. I was a 42A when I was in and had to deal with promotions. You may have the DA4187 stating the lateral promotion but that was prior to your current enlistment. Show your unit that you're a dedicated soldier and in time it'll come back.
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I perceive all you said, however, to my mind, if you were awarded it, you should be allowed to retain it, I know it's obv not gonna happen, however, those are my thoughts, such as they arez regs and svc variations notwithstanding, honest....
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Generally if you were DA promoted (corporal recruiter) you could keep it upon PCS if you weren’t promoted by then but due to the fact you were promoted to SGT and got out I would same you wear SPC but it’s up to your current chain of command whether or not they want to pin you CPL. Personally if you were in my Platoon I would. Good luck and welcome back.
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Specialist... Corporal is basically a "Frock" at the Company Command level.
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I think if you didnt get it in writing they wont make good on Corporal. The length of broken time might of had something to do with it in addition to going from active to a reserve status.
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My question is this, have you been through wlc or bncoc and retained points due to break in service? If so you should be spc-p and it is up to the mtoe as previously stated so I wouldn't worry about the cpl and start working on that buck Sgt. Again.if you aren't in a leadership position such as squad leader or shop ncoic cpl. Isn't warranted until skills are proven to current unit.
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