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

My response will be short, A corporal is in charge of a group of Soldiers. Where as a Specialist does a set job.

Specialist is the highest rank of junior enlisted. We expect them to be fairly proficient both technically and tactically, and to share their knowlege with the privates. They should be able to function adequately with minimal supervision.
A corporal, while still an E4, has duties and responsibilities almost identical to a SGT E5. They are noncommissioned officers, with the legal authority of one. In reality, the corporal ends up often as the redheaded stepchild....many a SPC believe that they are the same, and often the NCO corps excludes them. It takes a strong leader to be sucessful at the rank of CPL as its intended to function.

I was in from 1975-1995. In the support field field all e-4 were SP4 rank. in the combat arms field the Corporal was a junior leader. The responsibility was more technical in a support field than in the combat arms field. In my beginning days we also had SP5 and SP6. Personally I always felt these were ranks not needed.

Mindset

Responsibility

A corporal is looked at as an NCO, a leader, and treated as such. They are trusted with more leadership responsibilities than a Specialist.

its quit simple actually, a Specialist is exactly what the name means they specialize in a certain field, meanwhile A Corporal is the smallest Non Commisioned Officer. Has Minimal job Supervisory details. And a Corporal does not have a Specified Specialst Job.

The Specialist gets the work done... the Corporal sits around and watches the Specialist get the work done.

Corporal is the rank given when not enough e-5 slots are available. Or cause you suck. Or cause you're not tabbed. Or cause u suck.

As an Spec who worked in an Sgt slot at my last duty station I possessed all the qualities to be a Corporal but we had E5s on post but not were qualified to do my job. I had E5s working for me because of it. Even though I did not wear it I was many times given that designation in my correspondences due to my age and qualifying talents . For me it has been interchangeable since retirement 10 yrs now.