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

Both are E-4. Difference is that only Corporal is an NCO. In my unit, there were only one or two Corporals, and the one I remember made the rank while in the regular army. Soon after coming to our reserve unit he made Sergeant.

Corpral is a jr. NCO
Specialist is not

A corporal thinks he runs things, but has to ask a specialist, how things are run. Without us, what can a corporal, or for that matter, any other high ranking officer do? "THE FEW, THE PROUD, THE SPECIALISTS."

A corporal is a specialist that has a duty to be in charge of something or somebody. A spec 4 does not have that resposibility. Also a corporal is a junior nco.

A corp. Has line command and also junior nco privileged. A spec.is qualified in his respective mos.only.

Crpl is NCO....Spec is not

A specialist cannot command troops.

A corporal is in a leadership position, but it is never used anymore.

the difference between a Corporal and a Specialist in the Army is that a Corporal Rank is more like a Field Rank. he act as an NCO in combat situation and his expertise are more on field area situation, while a Specialist is more like a technical rank is kind of advisor with technical skill on garrison areas. It does not mean that one out rank the others just skills.

There is no difference. During my 25 years in, i could not find anyone to explain the reason fora specialist rank? The military has gotten itself so side tracked with BS, it no longer can put an effective force in the field. Look at what percentage of our numbers overseas are contractors? How many contractors were used in WWII?