Posted on Nov 28, 2016
What was the purpose of the higher Specialist ranks?
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During the time my grandfather served in the Army, there were many Specialist ranks all the way up to E-9. My question is, what was the purpose of having an E-9 SPC (SP9) back when these ranks were in service. I could use a good history lesson!
Thank you,
SPC O'Hara
Thank you,
SPC O'Hara
SP5
SP6
SPC
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 98
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There was an old rumor that the one and only ever SP8 was the hangman at Leavenworth but I think that's an urban legend... would still be kinda cool though, haha
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One of the ideas was people that had certain skill levels that others didn't have could be compensated for those skills. The skills may have been a a specialty that required certain technical expertise but not supervision of others. That is the simple answer but actually what did give birth to that sort of rating.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
SPC Jimmy Rooks I - In all fairness though prior to enlisting in the US Air Force I had been Cadet at Bordentown Military Institute, Bordentown, NJ. where the program was Army. We had an active duty Army Military Instruction Group there to train us. The PMST/Professor of Military Science and tactics was a Army Major, His assistant and Army Captain and Army Ranger, West Point grad. plus each company had an Army NCO as drill adviser and also each was also an instructor in the Military Instruction Group, All the NCOs were either SSgt or SFC and all but one had a CIB , Combat Infantry Man's badge) Our Commandant of Cadets was a Full Colonel and graduate of the USMA, West Point.
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Interesting question, SPC (Join to see) and response MAJ (Join to see) . Fresh out of thumbs.
My dad was a SP5 Russian linguist in the '50s. So...to drill down further...does Specialist still hold any particular purpose or would it be prudent to go to CPL across the board (particularly since Specialists promote to SGT rather than SP5)?
My dad was a SP5 Russian linguist in the '50s. So...to drill down further...does Specialist still hold any particular purpose or would it be prudent to go to CPL across the board (particularly since Specialists promote to SGT rather than SP5)?
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COL David Turk
CSM Richard StCyr - exactly.
And for filling out military profiles like on this site, where forts have changed names, and military specialties identifiers are all over the place.
And for filling out military profiles like on this site, where forts have changed names, and military specialties identifiers are all over the place.
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CPL (Join to see)
For him sir it would be the E-3 mafia. I think E-4 is an NCO in the navy. MAJ (Join to see) -
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CSM Richard StCyr
CPL (Join to see) - Seen them in action partner, the rank means something because their aren't oodles of them running around. like I said if everyone was a corporal it would devalue the rank and they would become the new sham masters.
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Need to bring it back. Plenty of good soldiers who deserve pay raises but are horrible at leading soldiers, and plenty of positions that are impossible to write and NCOER for a SSG that has 0 subordinates
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SPC Stephen Walsh
Agree, It was really dumb to eliminate Spec 5 - 9. Not all are leaders, like the General who made that decision. Who are just arm chair warriors.
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SPC Jimmy Rooks I
I "RIFF'ed" in '87 because my Platoon Sgt said I "didn't talk loud enough", even tho many of my platoon-mates wanted me to stay in, and indeed my platoon-sgt tried badgering me into extending my enlistment!(not no way! not no how!)
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Back then a unit was only allotted X amount of slots for hard ranks (Sgts). You had lifers who had time in and needed skills and experience. This is how you kept them on active duty. You promoted them as specialists and sometime they would make these guys acting sergeants( acting jacks ). I dont know how they keep career soldiers in now days without this promotion avenue.
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Not everyone that is well versed in their field is qualified to be a leader, but still deserve a promotion
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CW5 Edward "Tate" Jones Jr.
It wasn't a matter of "being qualified as a leader" as much as it was intended to focus attention on COMPLEX TECHNICAL skills. Nearly everyone who stayed to exceed the Specialist cap in their career fields were eventually promoted to NCO ranks and the VAST majority were excellent NCO's. I went from SP4 through SP5, SP6 and then to SFC. Ultimately WO1, CW2, CW3, CW4, MW4 and CW5. As a "Specialist" Officer I served successfully as a Company Commander of a 300+ man company and a Battalion S3 (1100 officers and enlisted)(MAJ's slot).
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SP5 Dennis Loberger
CW5 Edward "Tate" Jones Jr. - Right you are. I was in management before I was drafted and continued for another 40 + years. I have served in multiple leadership positions in the American Legion, my church and sports organizations. I was slotted as a company clerk and even in that role provided some leadership.
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To keep the army from being full of unneeded sergeants and to keep specialized soldiers in
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In some MOSs a person needs to know more and more about the field or the equipment without supervising troops. He may not be able to lead others but without him the machine won't work. On the other hand some jobs depend on leadership regardless of ability to take the machine apart. Good idea that fell apart in implementation. I don't think there were any SP9s and only a few SP8s
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Although no-one was ever promoted to the ranks of SP8 or SP9, I was surprised to see a soldier with SP9 stripes in the movie, 7 Days in May. If you look quickly, you will see a SP9 at a desk in the room full of military personnel where Kirk Douglas is getting some information.
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SGM (Join to see)
I did not know about that! I'll have to go hunt that one down - it's a keeper of a clip. Thanks, SSG Gerald King!
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SSG Edward Tilton
I have to check that out. I could have been an E-5 Sgt. 13F or SP5-13E the latter, with Pro Pay paid more
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During the Vietnam war I was a Helicopter crew chief/Gunner. Made SP5 while I was there, I re-enlisted in 74 and went to ADA Nike Hercules missile crewman and was immediately changed on orders to Sgt.. Combat arms as opposed to specialty I guess.
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