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SP4

Discussion in 'Vets and Friends' started by Salty, Dec 12, 2022.

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  1. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    This thread will only make sense to you Army guys.

    Back in the Day (ended about 1987) pay grades E-4 -E-9 had ranks of NCO and Specialists.
    The Specalists were know as Sp with their pay grade - for example SP5 was the same pay grade
    as a Buck Sgt. Well, the Army decided to do away with all Sps except for SP4.

    Well, on an NCO Facebook page - I mention something about a SP4. I was informed that the correct
    title is "SPC"
    I mentioned that it is no big deal. They respond it is a big deal. One guy actually put on an angry face!

    So what do you all think? Is it a big deal or not. My goodness - we refer to 1st and 2nd Lieutenants as "LT"
    and we might mention he is wearing "Railroad tracks" and so on.
     
    #1 Salty, Dec 12, 2022
  2. 37818

    37818 Well-Known Member

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    #2 37818, Dec 12, 2022
    Last edited: Dec 12, 2022
  3. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    SP4 and Corporal are both E-4 - but a Corporal has rank over a Sp4 regardless of the date of rank
    Sp = specialist - thus no NCO responsibilities.

    In fact, the Air force has something similar
    Around 1975 - A promotion to E-4 made you a Senior Airman - later that individual would become
    become a Sergeant -- though still at the E-4 pay grade. I'm not sure but that last about a dozen years.

    Air Force Promotion to E-4 Senior Airman - Military Ranks
     
    #3 Salty, Dec 12, 2022
  4. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    It was SP4. SP5, and SP6. I guess of you are referring to a specialist now it'd be SPC.
     
    #4 JonC, Dec 12, 2022
  5. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    The rank is senior airman (SrA) and the pay grade is E-4.

    They'll probably have to change it to senior airperson (SaP) soon. :Coffee
     
    #5 JonC, Dec 12, 2022
  6. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    Jon do you remember when the Air Force did have a E-4 Sgt?


    and this is a bit off topic
    but the NY Air National Guard - 174th was known (offically) as the "Boys From Syracuse"
    But some female LT got all upset - and with Sen Hillary Clinton - were forced to drop that designation.
    (On Thursday - I am seeing my State Assemblyman - I had sent him a package of several items about the military)
    I will see what he says about bringing back the "Boys from Syracuse" or should we call them the "Boys and Girls form Syracuse."
    or would the females be upset about the term "Girls"
     
    #6 Salty, Dec 12, 2022
  7. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    I don't. I didn't know AF rank until I was stationed with a few AF guys.
     
    #7 JonC, Dec 12, 2022
  8. 37818

    37818 Well-Known Member

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    No. As I said, I was Active duty from 1966-1970. What I did not say, I was discharged in 1972. And I was a Sargent E4.
     
    #8 37818, Dec 13, 2022
  9. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    So in 72 the rank for enlisted pay grade E-4 was Sergeant (I take it Sergeant was changed to Senior Airman?).
     
    #9 JonC, Dec 13, 2022
  10. Van

    Van Well-Known Member
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    I wore my SP5 rank with pride. Because I was filling an E-8 slot, I was offered the temporary rank of Sergeant (3 stripes) so other E5's would know who to follow. I told them I did not need the stripes as all the people reporting to me knew who held rank.
    This move apparently makes clear the job above E4 is involved in giving direction to others.
     
    #10 Van, Dec 13, 2022
  11. 37818

    37818 Well-Known Member

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    My active duty ended in 1970 [Year of my DD214]. My discharge was in 1972.
    Airman First Class was changed to Sargeant. [1967]
    In 1976 E4 was split into Sargeant and Senior Airman.
    see chart, US Air Force Enlisted Grade Timeline, 1920-1994
     
    #11 37818, Dec 13, 2022
  12. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    That is what I was looking for! - Thanks 37 (May I call you 37?)
     
    #12 Salty, Dec 13, 2022
  13. 37818

    37818 Well-Known Member

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    That is OK.
    A side note, both my younger brother and sister became career Air Force. What I understood my brother had explained to me, because of a maturity issue needed for NCO, a lower rank of Senior Airman had to be brought back.
     
    #13 37818, Dec 13, 2022
    Last edited: Dec 13, 2022
  14. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    and that is exactly my point - IMHO - we promote SM too soon to NCO ranks.
    Granted OCS makes almost immediate officers
    and during Vietnam - we had Shake and Bake NCO's.
    But at the service acadimes - you need 4 years to become a 2nd Leuy.
     
    #14 Salty, Dec 13, 2022
  15. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    Kinda like our Corporal and Specialist? (One a NCO the other a technical field?)
     
    #15 JonC, Dec 13, 2022
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  16. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    #16 Salty, Dec 13, 2022
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