They called it the “Spec 4 Mafia,” and its purpose was to administer corrective action to deficient privates—making those privates better soldiers. They brought the idea up to two of their squad members and viola, the modern, Army-wide S4M was born. I don’t regret a minute of my three years. Becoming an NCO though, that was when the real fun began. I agree that the Corporals and SPEC 4 fit the above statement but you had to earn SPEC 5 and SPEC 6 and, yes SPEC 7. Intermediate level technical and tactical experts who perform increased duties and responsibilities at the detachment through battalion levels. Shit, I delegated to officers once, and did it with such professionalism they had no clue I just told them what to do. Click Here to learn more about MOS 68D Operating Room Specialist. Specialist is not a sham rank. has been a Spec4 since desert storm. I had a degree when I enlisted and spent my entire three years as a SPEC-4. Great, funny piece. Michel Sauret) It has to do with avoiding the waste of time, pointless, tasks that are given you by angry, power hungry NCOs. Base of the noncommissioned officer ranks and abbreviated CPL. Any NCO who doesn’t believe that is deluding themselves. Specialists are not past the detail rank either. If NCOs are the backbone or the Army, SPCs are the common sense everyone else forgot to use. Often has one or more sergeants under their leadership. I was happy to hold onto my E4 pay grade. By World Wa… Those enlisting with a four year college degree can enter BCT as a specialist. Regardless of rank, every Soldier has a significant role in the total Army mission. Serves as the senior enlisted advisor and consultant to the chief of Staff of the Army (four-star general). A specialist 4 typically does not have command responsibilities, but is more focused on being technically proficient in a particular field of expertise. Original US Army Vietnam. you’re full of it. Visit PayScale to research contract specialist salaries by city, experience, skill, employer and more. Performs major tactical operations and conduct sustained battles and engagements. It’s the best thing that ever happened to me….lol….. (of course, I’m ETSing in a year and a half, I might feel differently if I was staying in, so I think I prove someone else’s point)…. Having spent 9 years in the Army and getting out as an E4 because I reached the maximum amount of time in grade was awesome! I do remember the jumping, hundred mile an hour taping, and forcing beer down E-1 thru E-3 throats. Normally commanded by a colonel although in some cases a brigadier general may assume command. If you enlist under certain MOS codes in the Army, you may also be eligible for certain cash bonuses of up to $40,000 if the technical engineer job is considered one of the Army's Jobs in Demand. Truthfully, I had a Lot of ‘fun’ as a PFC working as an MP Desk Sergeant at Alpha Checkpoint at the Helmstedt/Marienborn Crossing between East & West Germany on the Road to Berlin…Especially when Officers would Challenge me about things they knew Nothing of. I graduated from the school after one year and was promoted to SP5. Either way my point is, that the “shammers” will eventually not be paying attention to that wonderful jihad member sitting in a bush with an AK-47,RPK,and a couple IED’s and possibly a hit squad chilling not to far away with mortars and RPG’s waiting for the wonderful “shammer” to do what he does best and be complacent and get a whole squad,platoon,or even worst case company of Service Men and Women that were just moment’s before counting down the days till they get to go home and hold their loved ones in their arms, pick up their child for the first time, or the 100th time, or just simply come home. I really enjoyed my time as a Specialist, that’s for sure. Not every E-4 is SAMC material. Most other specialists they conversed with wanted to be a part of this game. Assists officers at the battalion level (300 to 1,000 Soldiers). The specialist category that a member of the Army is part of will dictate their pay grade and other factors related to their military career. Most of us had no desire to be in charge of anyone. So naturally, the ones i mentored went on to become Special Forces troops, Green to Gold and became officers, or just PCS’d and got out with some experience. Eligible for promotion to private first class after 4 months time in rank and 12 months time in service. Often selected to be the executive officer of a company-sized unit. I enlisted into the Army in the summer of 1967, under the threat of being drafted, for a missile radar school. However, I also answered to two commands, Vet and Medical, and did the work of a SGT as an E2 and the work of a SFC as an E4, so maybe it wasn’t the best…. A battalion task-force is a battalion-size unit with additional companies attached in direct support to enhance mission capability. Everything that was said in this article was me 100% if not 110% percent. But alas life got in the way. These were proficiency grades for those that knew their MOS and didn’t want to push troops but do their jobs, kept their noses clean and showed up when they were requested to. This job, which is a military occupational specialty (MOS) 56M. So what is so special about pay grade E-4? Serves as the primary staff officer for brigade and task force command regarding personnel, logistical and operational missions. Specialists are those who have done enough to move past the “detail” team, but not enough to show that they are competent leaders. I ets’d as a Specialist in 02 from the 82nd. Start BCT with experience or prior military training. Most of the Specialists I knew, especially SP5s, were very interested in learning and doing their job well. too much detail in the same rank. Enlisted Soldiers are the backbone of the Army. Senior NCO in companies, batteries and troops. Experience and abilities are equal to that of the command sergeant major, but serves as the senior enlisted adviser to a primary staff officer at the battalion or higher. I held the title of consigliere in the E-4 Mafia. Many of us are aware of this modern organization. Us old guys slip sometimes and say Spec4 instead of specialists. Those well-balanced types are so rare in today’s Army. I gotta say for awhile I had alot of E5 responsibilities and was excited about going to PLDC leading troops I was allready a team leader on a stinger team and loving it. I knew my E-4s shammed. Upon successful completion of Basic Military Training, Paralegal Specialist will attend 10 weeks of Advanced Individual Training (AIT). harvey steele Totally agree. I enjoyed butter bar more than the sham shield. Back before Spell-check, I was the unit Spell-master for the Personnel section and was also the the last man in my unit when it was disbanded. During the winter of 1996, the horsemen, along with most soldiers of Operation Joint Endeavor (IFOR), redeployed to their home stations. I have to say it was true as far back as (cough cough) 1976. After enough shit I decided to ETS and go to college, go back with a commission and go to SFAS. The primary role of a PFC is to carry out the orders issued by their commanding officers. SP5 is a specialist rank. Salty Specialist-Army. I was lucky: 91Bs at the time needed 990 points for promotion to E5, but 91C (short course) only needed 450, and I was the only ’91C1F’ in the Army at that time (according to my BN CSM). The last officers to hold this rank served during and immediately following WWII. The “sham-shield” wearers are the ones that get good men and women killed to tell the truth,because a SOLDIER that slacks off on details also slacks off down range because they are just complacent enough to know that the minimum is their personal standard that is good enough to get by. Commanded by a lieutenant general, assisted by a command sergeant major and an extensive Corps staff. After hearing one NCO jokingly tell another NCO about specialists’ power in numbers, two of the horsemen decided to run with the idea of numerous organized U.S. Army specialists being a force to reckon with. Old German Made from the 1950's- 1970's. Stereo typing people by rank is ridiculous. The organization had NCO support. Appointed by warrant from the secretary of the Army. I shammed my last year as a SP4, stomping around the motorpool looking pissed w/ a clipboard in hand doing ‘PMCS’. In fact, three of them have ETSed and the fourth is currently (as of this writing) a U.S. Army senior NCO. They were referred to as “supporters.” Their ranks precluded them from being full-fledged mobsters, but their loyalty granted them limited access to “the know.” I can only assume that NCO support of S4M still exists. You train to time, not to standard. Get notified of new Rhino Den articles and videos as they come out, Also, find out before anyone else about new product launches and huge discounts from RangerUp.com, the proud parent of the Rhino Den. Therefore, the Army provides the combatant commander with an interlocking array of higher headquarters trained and equipped to apply landpower from the theater level, through the operational level, and down to the tactical employment of various brigades, groups, and battalions. In return, the specialists would acknowledge them with the same. Share pics, videos and connect with other soldiers here. That reply was “frick no” and almost got me a court martial! God bless America and those that defend it! They go on details along with the privates. Carry on troops! On weekends, or days off I will consistently drink myself into oblivion, and I will never answer my phone. in wwII they were technicians and years later specialists. Today only the Specialist rank remains of the Specialist grades with all others having been relinquished to but footnotes in the history of an Army. All enlisted and non-commissioned ranks were reduced from 128 different insignias and several pay grades to only seven rank insignias and seven pay grades, which were numbered in seniority from seventh grade (lowest) to first grade (highest). They plan missions, give orders and assign Soldiers tasks. This is ironic, considering Specialist shares a pay grade with Corporal. in those 2 years i was in Iraq and then PCS’d to Washington D.C. then entire time in DC all i did was mentor the Privates on how much they need to actually do their job. Yeah and my points to E5 were at 995 right after my promotion. By the time my tour was over I had the promotion points to make E-6 and was actually filling an E-6 duty position, but getting promoted would have been silly. Needless to say, they were proud. We know the organization is still alive. Enforces standards, develop and train Soldiers in MOS skills and unit missions. Most post will need approval. The soldier in this position will do everything from preparing spaces for worship to managing supplies. In 1986 the Army made all the SP5s, SGT in my unit. During the Viet Nam War if you were in combat believe or not there was rank of “Specialist 4th and 5th Class and MOS’S” that That was the best rank in the army. Categorized by one of five types: cavalry, armored, infantry, airborne and artillery. An armored or air cavalry unit of equivalent size is referred to as a squadron. Jumped to Cpl. Rarely did I ever even see a Corporal in my 10 years of active duty service, but when I did I noticed two things. Dental Specialist (MOS 68E) The Army Dental Specialist (MOS 68E) is tasked with assisting dentists during examinations. It was changed to Specialist Four in 1958. I will use my grade and position to avoid responsibility, accountability and any sense of presence of mind. the S4 had 1 slot for E5 and after requesting to be moved ANYPLACE that needed a SUPPLY SGT i was denied all the wHILE E4 coming right out of COLLAGE was geting PLDC slots.. FK THAT i rolled OUT.. my last 6 months i was the poster child of SHAME SHIELD! I understand that for a person in my hierarchal position, rewards are going to be few and far between, and punishment will always be swift and severe. The point of my post is #1. Serve as team leader of the smallest Army units. Specialist 5 rank insignia (U.S. Army) Specialist 4 rank insignia (U.S. Army) SP9 SP8 SP7 SP6 SP5 SP4 On 1 July 1955 four grades of Specialist were established. 31m20. but i couldnt handle PFCs calling Sgts by 1st name or going up to TOP and talking to him like he was his fkin buddy! There are nine enlisted Army ranks, or pay grades. Armored Cavalry units of this size are referred to as regiments. The Army has a simple rank structure: Enlisted, Warrant Officer and Officer. Above all, remember this. Straight ahead, God Bless America, Amen. He is right about a lot of the Spec 4s being lazy, and figuring ways to get around their jobs. It was a sign of mutual respect within the organization, and outside respect from supporters. Sure miss those days. The top half of the class made SP5 and the bottom half made SP4. Second, nobody liked them. It’s the rank where you prove you are worthy to become a Non Commissioned Officer. The command sergeant major is the principal NCO assistant. You can still say, “I don’t know,” or “I haven’t been taught that yet.” You can take five extra minutes on your smoke break. The following are Army personnel who may be qualified to receive the E-4 rank: They perform administrative tasks or act as deputies for their superior officer. Warrant Officers specialize in many technical areas including intelligence, aviation, or military police and have job responsibilities that include training Soldiers, organizing and advising on missions, and advancing within their career specialties. Primarily support operations levels from team or detachment through brigade. Yes, SPCs do details and Yes, we do delegate and other petty work our SGTs dont want to perform, but we uphold our Creed daily. As I understand "Specialist" rank was worn by … Same pay grade, same respect, but two very different positions and mentalities. Why give up a bullet-proof assignment for $75 more a paycheck whe you’re only in for three years? Most of the specialists I knew were E-4 & E-5. Sounds like a character from a video game. 959 reviews from U.S. Army employees about working as a Petroleum Supply Specialist at U.S. Army. Become commissioned officers as provided by the president of the United States. The U.S. Army is the largest branch of service with a greater variety of units than the other services, each with a different organization and purpose. These supporters would occasionally render the four-fingered salute to groups of S4M soldiers as a sign of support. The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces.It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution. The average salary for a Contract Specialist at U.S. Army is $74,000. Non-Commissioned Officers serve as either staff personnel or sub-unit leaders. Each morning I would have to go down to the snack bar and roust them out of their coffee cups for work. The first was Specialist Three (E-4). Specialist is a junior enlisted rank in the United States Army, equivalent in salary to a Corporal. You can blouse your boots like a Sergeant Major. Also, it’s important to understand that the salute didn’t distinguish between senior and subordinate, like military salutes do. and most of them rotated back as DAC senior LPNs and lab techs. Typically the entry-level rank for most commissioned officers. Specialist is now generally the next rank on the path of career progression for enlisted soldiers in between the path of an enlisted man to that of a … no busts, no Art 15’s, just life in the CA ARNG. Divisions are comprised of two to three maneuver brigades, a sustainment brigade, and a combat aviation brigade. i did not trust the US army. Equating shamming with being worthless in combat as someone who gets people killed is just ridiculous and simply not true. a Specialist/E4 is a junior enlisted soldier who still does junior enlisted things; dig ditches, stack boxes, rake leaves, etc. I’ll take the hard stripes any day over a specialist. The rank is equivalent to Senior Airman in the Air Force, Petty Officer Third Class in the Coast Guard and in the Navy, and Corporal in the Marines. I worked hard,excelled at what was expected. I will not forget, nor will I allow my comrades to forget, Specialist is the greatest rank in the Army and rank has its privileges. I wore the stripes both specialist and Sgt. Typically commands division-sized units (10,000 to 16,000 Soldiers). You’ve learned how to pretend to be busy better than anyone else. Ground or air cavalry units (armor and aviation units specifically trained for reconnaissance missions) refer to these elements as troops. The abbreviation for specialist is SPC. Never ever volunteer for anything is my rallying cry. THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 5 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION. From Pfc. I have no regrets and respect those in uniform and thank each one I see for doing a great job at whatever it is they do. The Curious Case of Pryam Farll. LOL Since i came from LRS and the 82nd they figured they would get me to train the weekend warriors. i guess there is no more ‘lifer’ chants since all are volunteers. The Army National Guard is a reserve component of the U.S. Army, with units in each state, three territories and the District of Columbia. Love the article! Stayed sp/4 for 16 months, then made sp/5. This is an entry-level position that requires a secret clearance. Don’t get me wrong I did do my job and at times did a great job but being in this position before moving to NCO; you have to take advantage of what being a specialist is all about…….thanks for sharing! My goal was to receive as much training and experience in electronics as possible for three years of my life. It kinda ruins the whole ranking system if soldiers do not undergo the same treatment as of the others. Never got the pay and never got the stripes, and didn’t care. They tried the OCS thing on me in Basic, tried to get me into Army Intelligence when I enlisted. Every month on my counceling statement my E-5 wrote,”Specialist Pardue has not signed up or volunteered to go to PLDC” (primary leadership development course). Promotion is an important part of Army life. Some people earned their E4 rank and then some. SAME Deal! The senior level of commissioned officer typically has over 30 years of experience and service. They called it involuntary seperation. Levi, your article was very funny! Think of the difference like today’s version of a master sergeant and a first sergeant. Provide leader development, mentorship, advice, and counsel to warrant officers and branch officers. Ahh those were the days…Power without Rank…Sometimes I wish I’d have stayed :). Many people in the military do. Coming from a soldier who was out in early 2011 and performed in an E-5 slot for a couple months, this is amusing. were specialized in training. It’s called humor. Although a specialist 4 holds the same pay grade as a corporal, a specialist is not a non-commissioned officer. I was a sp4 for a month and then got sp5 ROTISOR during the nam war, rank was handed out just a tad slower than medals, but not much. and all i asked for to reup was PLDC i had the points i had the PT i had the awards… all i needed was the school! I didn’t want a career and refused OCS numerous times, including at mustering out. The Specialist (E-4 through E-7) ranks gave units the ability to retain excellent volunteer soldiers. It’s true that you get out of the service what you put into it. Having been “drafted” in 1967 I really didn’t want to be in the Army but having good work ethics I knew when to say “thank you” and “yes sir” went further than “frick off” or similar smart ass reply’s. I was in the MP’s and our MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) was frozen. Leads platoon-size elements with a platoon sergeant and two or more squads (16 to 44 Soldiers). This training will be completed with on-the-job in… Consequently, I promoted myself to Command Spec. Being an E-5 in an infantry batt is the best position you can hold. I lost my “P Status” when my PT Card info didn’t get updated on my ERB. You can decline to help, and if you are forced to, you can still delegate the work to a Private First Class. Responsible for developing, maintaining and utilizing the full range of the Soldier's potential. Typically commands brigade-sized units (1,500 to 3,200 Soldiers), with a command sergeant major as the principal NCO assistant. Shamming doesn’t necessarily mean not caring about your buddies or your life or their life. You’ve learned how to sleep standing up. I shammed, I got shafted, I got what I deserved and I got out after 12 years. You have no soldiers to lead and no leaders to hound you, so there you remain in limbo. I was a SP/5 in Germany back in 1963 and we had a job to do and we did it well. Senior NCO of the command at battalion or higher levels. Serves as deputy commander to the commanding general for Army divisions. The Rhino Den Guide to Avoiding Workplace Violence, America’s Veterans: What It Means To Be Part of the .45%, The Curious Case of Staff Sergeant Parsons, Fast Food Workers and the Slow Death of Hard Work. I called it pulling a fast one on uncle sam! Some people just want to be good at their job accomplish their mission and leave the leadership up to the go getters. Without supervision, a CSM’s counsel is expected to be calm, settled and accurate—with unflagging enthusiasm. They were known as “The Four Horsemen.” Without naming names, their initials were MKM, JPR, JLK, and LO. Honestly the E5’s and E6’s always on my and up my ass to take charge of lower enlisted and do alot of their own jobs for them was a bitch. A cohesive tactical sized unit that can perform a battlefield function on its own. Senior Airman. Over all though the majority of the Specs were hard workers and I could depend on them to know what they were supposed to do without supervision. The deployable level of command required to synchronize and sustain combat operations and provides the framework for multinational operations. Nice, funny article here. A unit that is both tactically and administratively self-sufficient. In practice, the corporal outranks a specialist and will be treated as an NCO by the soldiers below him or her. I will kiss up to their face and badmouth them behind their back, just like everyone else. It was created by Rangers, exclusively for Rangers. So a mechanic E-5 was a Tech Sergeant, while an Infantry E-5 was a Sergeant. As a Specialist and 91R I got to tell EVERYONE what to do, Soldiers & Civilians and paygrade didn’t matter! He did it, and a loud and thunderous “HOOAH” echoed through the battalion. there were many medical SPC 6 and 7s- I was one of the last SPC 5s (they were phased out in the mid 1980s). i would be promoted BEFORE reup, get 2 months off-paid, come back for 6 mos. A Sergeant however, was an NCO, and would be put in charge of soldiers. In 1920, the Army rank and pay system received a major overhaul. Its the E-4 who knows they need a 3 man detail, and he’s number 4. Worked for me. Responsible for individual training, personal appearance and cleanliness of Soldiers. 5. PLC didn’t count any more. It is capable of receiving and controlling additional combat, combat support or combat service support elements to enhance its mission capability. I am aware of my role as a SPC and if you need me for anything, I’ll be on appointment. A specialist E-4 is one of the most common ranks held in the U.S. Army and is the highest rank for junior enlisted recruits. Can manage enlisted Soldiers of lower rank. Go Sp 4. should have got my E4 Before i left 2ID LRSD but we had no slots availible. Specialist 5, SPEC 9, E5. Those who take what this guys says about E-4s shamming to mean they sham in combat or are ill-prepared clearly take things too personal and are the kind of Soldiers I avoid because they almost breed conflict. When I was a SGT I would give my ranking Specialist orders to carry out while I was not there. A very few non-Rangers may claim that their S4M ways derive from a source originating pre 1996. Chaplain Assistants, also known in the Army as Religious Affairs Specialists, act as counselors for their fellow soldiers and provide backup to Army chaplains. This salute was just a quick four fingers (horizontal) on the chest—similar to a gang sign. Sometime after the war they went to the system that your father would have seen. After all I was a Spec 4 once too so the tricks were not new to me. Points for making E5 in my MOS were stuck at 999, so I ended up with something like 3 years time in grade. When I was a member of the SPC4 Mafia, I was an NCO’s worst nightmare and best blessing…I was extremely competent as an 11B1P in a LRS unit and I knew all the shortcuts @ Bragg…then I was promoted and ended as a SSG where I became everyone’s worst nightmare and best blessing…I have been out for a while and former PVT’s of mine still call and email me for advice on everything…gotta love the SPC4 Mafia…. Going to Berlin on My shift? Any stray Private or NCO who didn’t have “back-up” would be gang tackled, duct taped to a cot and decorated with shaving cream. came in as a PFC, got promoted a year later and then nothing. I do understand that some don’t get to come home walking in person, BUT they always do come home hero’s. Technically and tactically focused officers who perform the primary duties of technical leader, trainer, operator, manager, maintainer, sustainer, and advisor. I made E4 the earliest the army would allow with a waiver I wanna say 18 months but that’s an approximate. Back in the day-Viet Nam era, I was a Spec 5-doesn’t exist anymore but then it went all the way up to Specialist 7, cliff f i was a spec-5 also. I did my job Professionally and Courteously, Even when I had to have the Brass come ‘straighten out’ the situation. SAD today i miss it and almost wish i would have found away to go around the system.. becouse when i got out i went into the Louisiana NG we had 6 Specailist holding 1 slot and an E6 supply sgt with 28years. I was almost automatically promoted due to a shortage in the MOS, but I ETS’d before that could happen. I know the other soldiers, and I will always refer to them by their first name or in some cases derogatory nickname. That’s why a specialist is also known as a “sham shield” — all the responsibility of a private grade with all the pay of a corporal. Great writing! According to legend, U.S. Army Ranger specialists formed an unofficial, secretive organization in the 1970s. Page is dedicated to the soldiers of the E- 4 mafia and below. I was in Army Aviation from 12-62 to 12-65 and was a Spec 4 for a while and was in charge of the Stuttgart Army Airfield Alert Crew over in Germany. Sergeants, like the one mentioned above and others, wanted to remain in, or enter, this game. I did a little shamming, but also worked my tail off. This article is funny to those who did the 4 years and got out E-4. I really liked it when I saw an NCO with common sense, compassion, concern, work ethic and sense of humor be in charge. Provides command, control and logistical support. a Corporal/E4 is a noncommissioned officer (NCO) and is placed in leadership positions. Got more respect then a hard stripe e-5..there was alot of acting jack 5.s at the time.At Least with the top rocker over the bird,you knew I earned my rank. The specialist is still an E-4 level expert at his or her MOS. ;o) The epitome of what it means to be a sergeant and oversees all NCOs.
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