Has the Time come for SPC to convert to CPL once Promotable?

2015-12-16T16:07:47-05:00

Here is my point of view on the CPL-Spc question. It is my firm opinion that it has come time to promote to Spc but once they become promotable they should be moved to the corporal rank so they can begin the transition to NCO. Obviously if they have passed the board to become promotable they have measured up to military standards for NCO status and are just waiting on time and points so why not move them to CPL and move them to a JR NCO status while waiting. This not only gives them experiance as an NCO but also distinguishes between promotable and non promoatble E-4's.for details.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2015 4:16 PM

2015-12-16T16:16:21-05:00

Ohhhh no. Being promoteable doesn't mean you're ready to be promoted. Being able to remember things well doesn't mean you can lead.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2015 4:28 PM

2015-12-16T16:28:49-05:00

most places actually have requirements for being promoted to CPL, one of which is usually being promotable, but that is not the only one. Most of the time you are only promoted to CPL to fill the slot of a SGT because your unit is short on them.

Response by SPC Matthew Birkinbine made Dec 16 at 2015 4:55 PM

2015-12-16T16:55:04-05:00

I agree. If I'm recommended for my "leadership potential" to the rank of Sergeant, which attending promotion board is supposed to represent, I should be able to step into that Corporal role of Junior NonCommissioned Officer until I make it to Sergeant.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2015 7:40 PM

2015-12-16T19:40:53-05:00

Being laterally appointed to CPL from SPC resets the TIG to 0

Response by SPC Ethan Reddick made Dec 16 at 2015 9:35 PM

2015-12-16T21:35:55-05:00

That actually does happen. It actually happened to a soldier in my company on Tuesday. She got promotable status and two weeks later was promoted to CPL.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2015 10:31 PM

2015-12-16T22:31:59-05:00

My 1SG started implementing this system.
He's moving every spc(p) to Cpl for the same reason.
Hopefully it can take wind and become something standard Army wide

Response by SPC Rory J. Mattheisen made Dec 17 at 2015 12:04 AM

2015-12-17T00:04:35-05:00

CPL was the shit show when I was in, a troop that received the lateral promotion was disliked by the NCOs and well liked by the lower enlisted. The CPL "promotion" was used to isolate them, they were no longer lower enlisted and not yet a NCO. CPL is the equivalent on turning 20, not a teenager anymore but still not quite an adult.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2015 12:26 AM

2015-12-17T00:26:58-05:00

I disagree. Some units have 1 spc promo others have 5. If everyone became a cpl based on promotable status it would cause more headache than good, too many chiefs. 2 it would create the same problems we are trying to fix (due to da promotable based on time in grade/time in service). 3 you dont need stripes to be a leader. The rank structure is there, spc outranks pfc ect. The only reason people do not enforce this is because the army as a culture has forgotten about this and a lot of spc are not being held responsable for there actions. In some units privates stand at parade rest for spc. At least 3 years ago i saw a unit like this. 4 The skills your looking to learn in the transition do not come with having a couple stripes. A lot comes from being a spc with experience, leading your peers from the front without knowing it. Influencing that pv2 by showing him the right way before that nco sees him doing the wrong. The issue with the spc rank now is everyone calls it the sham shield. If spc start being held accountable for there subordinate team members and themselves it forces them to think as a leader its that team leaders job to groom that spc p to becone that team leader and that spc job to groom his subordinates to perform his duties. 5 i hate that this exists but there are always ncos that push all there work on the next level. (Not going to talk about that right now) but if everyone became a cpl when they were promotable than ncos like that would always be able to point the finger down and we could never clean up the army. Using "but i told cpl joe to do that hes an nco"

Response by SPC Bruce Nichols made Dec 17 at 2015 4:56 AM

2015-12-17T04:56:26-05:00

I couldn't agree more. That, to me, would speed up the transistional phase of being a specialist today and non commissioned officer tomorrow.

Response by SPC Donald Moore made Dec 17 at 2015 12:33 PM

2015-12-17T12:33:15-05:00

Sounds like a reasonable idea, so you can pretty much guarantee that it will never happen.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2015 1:13 PM

2015-12-17T13:13:48-05:00

Not at all. Passing a board and having points does not make one a leader. Not only that, we all know that the rank of corpral is a slap in the face, one wearing the rank of corpral is given all the shit details that is NCO's dont want, and get none of the pay or ratings. We need a single rank E-4 either everyone is a specialist, or everyone is a corpral!

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2015 6:52 PM

2015-12-17T18:52:50-05:00

I say NO, with my main reasons being that

1.) Be careful what you wish for. You say that all SPC(P) need to be promoted to Corporal, which is the rank of a leader. What SOME commands are going to hear is that they only need to send people to the board whenever a leadership needs to be filled.

2.) If you want to be a leader, then be a leader. Make your guys respect and follow your orders and guidance based off who you are as a soldier and leader. Soldiers should know to respect the rank, but take the initiative and learn how to make them respect the person holding the rank. That is the best leadership experience any junior NCO can get.

3.) All E-4s, regardless of if they are a SPC or CPL, should be shamming out of every detail in every possible way. If capture is inevitable, then I would suggest that you help each other out on the detail instead of figuring which SPC has more TIS.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2015 2:16 PM

2015-12-22T14:16:13-05:00

CPL is for specific duty positions or NCO positions. Promotable is the same either way you look at it. Agree with the experience part, but whether your a new CPL or brand Sergeant you still earned the rank and the experience will come with time in grade

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2015 4:40 PM

2015-12-22T16:40:57-05:00

Agreed!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2015 12:27 AM

2015-12-24T00:27:50-05:00

It makes too much sense. That's why we ain't doing it lol

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2016 10:13 AM

2016-01-09T10:13:40-05:00

Spc Mike Craner you're right. Honestly, if an E4 passes the board and is put in a leadership position, I think they should be laterally promoted. But lots of people don't want to do the paperwork.