SPC Jomel-Michael Baysa II 5514320 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>when the specialist ranks (sp-4 through sp-9) were phased out, what ranks did these soldiers acquire? 2020-02-03T10:50:20-05:00 SPC Jomel-Michael Baysa II 5514320

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>when the specialist ranks (sp-4 through sp-9) were phased out, what ranks did these soldiers acquire?

2020-02-03T10:50:20-05:00 2020-02-03T10:50:20-05:00 SGT Robert Pryor 5514385

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I thought the were just given &quot;hard stripes&quot; in the equivalent pay grade. But I could be wrong on that. I remember a lot of mid pay grade specialists back in the 1960s.

2020-02-03T11:11:53-05:00 2020-02-03T11:11:53-05:00 CSM Richard StCyr 5514509

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>SP4 remained, SP5 through 9 all became hard stripes. I came in in 1981 and the only Engineers with specialist rank beyond SP5 were the machinists and they transitioned over to the maintenance branch in the mid 80&#39;s.

2020-02-03T11:53:29-05:00 2020-02-03T11:53:29-05:00 LTC Warren Miller 5516217

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>They went hard stripe. I worked for a SP6 and SP7 at the time of conversion that had a tough transition to SSG and SFC. Don’t think they ever got used to it.<br /><br />SP4 stayed around awhile before reverting to simply Specialist. Years later I got chastised for referring to a Soldier as “Spec 4.” I replied I have the right to call them Spec-4’s because I was one.”

2020-02-03T20:32:00-05:00 2020-02-03T20:32:00-05:00 SGT Thomas Sullivan 5516374

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>If they brought back SP ranks again, there would be amazing retention levels of subject matter experts, without requiring soldiers to try and become warrant officers.

2020-02-03T21:19:31-05:00 2020-02-03T21:19:31-05:00 PO2 Private RallyPoint Member 5531373

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Bring back the specialist ranks. The Army needs them.

2020-02-07T11:35:00-05:00 2020-02-07T11:35:00-05:00 2020-02-03T10:50:20-05:00