Posted on Feb 6, 2020
Why is the rank Corporal not held in the same regard in the Army as it is in the Marine Corps?
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Just a question ive always wondered, in the marines they are treated like an NCO as with in the Army (at least in my time) are treated like the red haired step child of enlisted ranks.
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Posted 5 y ago
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A Corporal in the Army is an NCO as much as any Marine Corporal. If he is not treated as such, that is a problem with senior leadership. No corporal in any infantry unit I was in fraternized with Specialists.
COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen F. SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen SPC Woody Bullard CPL Dave Hoover CW5 Jack Cardwell Lt Col Charlie Brown Col Carl Whicker SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth SPC Margaret Higgins Maj Marty Hogan LTC Greg Henning Maj William W. 'Bill' Price SP5 Mark Kuzinski SGT John " Mac " McConnell LTC Wayne Brandon PO1 William "Chip" Nagel SPC Douglas Bolton PVT Mark Zehner
COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen F. SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen SPC Woody Bullard CPL Dave Hoover CW5 Jack Cardwell Lt Col Charlie Brown Col Carl Whicker SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth SPC Margaret Higgins Maj Marty Hogan LTC Greg Henning Maj William W. 'Bill' Price SP5 Mark Kuzinski SGT John " Mac " McConnell LTC Wayne Brandon PO1 William "Chip" Nagel SPC Douglas Bolton PVT Mark Zehner
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
SGT (Join to see) Outside My Knowledge Base. I know that in Most technical fields in the Navy when You Make PO3 (E-4/NCO) Usually you're not treated that much better than a Seaman (E-3). Once You make PO2 though then they start giving you some Authority and Significant Responsibilities.
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SPC (Join to see)
Limited scope of understanding, Brother. When I was still in, I was frequently witness to CPLs being shafted because they're "NCOs that aren't REALLY NCOs." That being said, they were expected to maintain and enforce a standard with all the backing of a SPC by the chain of command. This was the case in not one, not two, but THREE installations.
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Marine Corporals are by T/O Fire Team Leaders, but regardless of MOS are the first line in the leadership chain. They are, in fact Non-Commissioned Officers, by virtue of their promotion warrant. If no Cpl is aboard then the next senior man is up. In the island-hopping campaigns, a Cpl or Sgt could easily be in charge of a unit due to being senior man on deck still standing. Maybe even a PVT/PFC until they regroup.
PS: Always capitalize Marine(s), for future reference.
PS: Always capitalize Marine(s), for future reference.
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I have never seen a Corporal not treated like an NCO, I was a Corporal and cadre at Ft. Knox for basic back in the mid 90's.
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CWO3 (Join to see)
My impression was that Corporals in Army were the hard chargers that had been rewarded for their abilities and leadership. Mostly line Infantry units, I thought.
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SSG (Join to see)
BCT units are considered infantry, I have seen the rank of CPL in some none infantry units, but not very many. I my case they wanted anyone around trainees to be an NCO so they moved us over to CPL.
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CWO3 (Join to see)
SSG (Join to see) - In my Dad's day they called it the "acting jack". They wore a rank band on the sleeve. USMC had PFCs as Assistant Drill Instructors in WWII. Senior DI might have been a CPL or SGT. Due to Korean casualties in 19th Inf, 24th ID my Dad found himself being an acting CO 1st Shirt as a buck Sgt, until replacements. Or maybe when he got hit in the New Year's offensive 12/31/50. He didn't talk about it unless asked and has been gone 30 years. Thanks for the info.
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SSG (Join to see)
We had acting Jacks as you called them, NCO's who had not been to Drill Sgt School but where there for familiarization, they wore a band on their sleeve and hat, I was Cadre, I did not push troops I assisted the company in getting the mission completed, in whatever manor the Co and 1st SGT wanted. I did pull CQ one time because of Illness they were short Drill Sgts.
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