What is the difference between a Specialist and a Corporal in the Army? Inquiring Marine minds want to know.

The difference is a Soldier who shows the leadership quality of a NCO that doesn't have the time in service or rank to be prompted. Honestly CPL's in the Army is the most difficult rank I have held. You are an NCO that I feel has to walk a fine line because so much is expected of you and because of being an E4 most of your buddies become subordinates. I was a team leader in a Scout platoon and everything changed. I loved it and hated it at the same time. I was only a SPC for 10 before promoted to CPL. The best part about it was leading my Soldiers and learning from my SGT's and SSG made it so much easier to pass the E5 board because of the experience. I feel that the Army would benefit from promoting deserving SPC to CPL so that they gain the leadership skills through experience.

I think everyone bout covered it.PFC bites

Isn't is funny how we must have 100 of the same answer. Like the echo somehow make it ever truer.

You have all the right to go on and say that, and speculate what the vague reasoning for lateral promotion could be. But I thought that is what the upvotes was for.

A corporal can take on the responsibilities of a non commissioned officer as CQ duty asst squad leader

1SG, that is an excellent question. Aside from all of the jokes, here is what I have understood the differences between SPC and CPL. Generally speaking, CPL is a combat arms position of 1st level leadership. Considered a Jr. NCO, CPL will be in charge of two or more soldiers of similar duty assignments. This is not to say that a SPC cannot be in charge of other junior enlisted. CPL will have completed the 'Warrior Leader Course' and have a duty assignment for leadership of two or more soldiers. Many 'non-combat-arms' units do not have a billet for CPL. While moving from SPC to CPL is a lateral movement (pay grade is still E4) it is considered a lateral 'promotion' as the soldier will now function in a formal leadership capacity.

The SPC rank itself was from the 'Technical' SGT and at one time, there were SP4 - SP9. They did not lead; however, they were very good at their MOS. Many went on to become Warrant Officers. The difference can be considered similar to E8 and E9. A 1SG is the same pay grade as an MSG, however one will function more administratively, while the other is a command leadership position (Top CO NCO). Same thing as an SGM and CSM. CSM top BN NCO. However, all NCOs lead soldiers. And Senior NCOs train Jr officers (usually non-field grade officers).

I hope this helps.

Corporal is a leadership position and a Specialist is a technician.

A specialist does not have any authority to march or order troops around. A corporal basically does everything a SGT E-5 does except he does not get paid as much. A corporal in a Jr. NCO a specialist is not.

CPL is command Rank SPL is not a command Rank except in his or her own field (in some cases)

A Specialist is not an NCO, same pay grade E4 but not put in a leadership position, (even tho they are in real life). A Corporal is an NCO and is put into leadership position. Most Corporal's will be in the Combat arms area's ie.. Infantry, Armor, Engineers and so forth.

Corporal is considered an NCO, while Speicalist is an E-4 is not. There arent many Corporals in the Army any more. It was often assigned to combat MOS's.