Where did all the Specialist ranks go?

SPC Jomel-Michael Baysa II — Mon, 03 Feb 2020 10:50:20 -0500

when the specialist ranks (sp-4 through sp-9) were phased out, what ranks did these soldiers acquire?

Response by SGT Robert Pryor made Feb 3 at 2020 11:11 AM

SGT Robert Pryor — Mon, 03 Feb 2020 11:11:53 -0500

I thought the were just given "hard stripes" 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.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Feb 3 at 2020 11:53 AM

CSM Richard StCyr — Mon, 03 Feb 2020 11:53:29 -0500

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's.

Response by LTC Warren Miller made Feb 3 at 2020 8:32 PM

LTC Warren Miller — Mon, 03 Feb 2020 20:32:00 -0500

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.

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.”

Response by SGT Thomas Sullivan made Feb 3 at 2020 9:19 PM

SGT Thomas Sullivan — Mon, 03 Feb 2020 21:19:31 -0500

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.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2020 11:35 AM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 11:35:00 -0500

Bring back the specialist ranks. The Army needs them.