Query RE post-1958 specialist ranks

[El Bibliotecario]

As I recall, the specialist ranks of SP6, SP7, etc, (to which hardly anyone was ever promoted in the first place) were officially retired by the 1990s, leaving only SP4 and SP5. Presuming I have that right, my question is in what year was the SP5 rank abolished, and SP4 became simply specialist? TIA

[Bill]

As I recall, the specialist ranks of SP6, SP7, etc, (to which hardly anyone was ever promoted in the first place) were officially retired by the 1990s, leaving only SP4 and SP5. Presuming I have that right, my question is in what year was the SP5 rank abolished, and SP4 became simply specialist? TIA

 

 

Five and Six went away in 1985/86.

 

Bill

[Pack Rat]

I believe Spc 4 went away in '85 and was changed to Specialist for those who attained E-4 but did not attend the Primary Leadership Development Course.

 

-D

[El Bibliotecario]

Thanks for the responses.

[stingerwooten]

Just to add my two cents. Here's some interesting info from the The Institute of Heraldry Website:

 

 

Specialists were authorized to continue to wear the smaller insignia. The chevrons formerly authorized for E5, E6 and E7 were authorized for continued wear until the individual was promoted or demoted. They also continued to use the previous title.

 

1965. The Specialist Eight and Specialist Nine grades were discontinued.

 

1968. The insignia consisting of a single chevron, which was previously authorized for private first class, was authorized for Privates E2. A new insignia was authorized for Private First Class, which consisted of one chevron above one arc per DA Message 868848, 28 May 1968.

 

1978. Specialist Seven was discontinued.

 

1985. The grades specialist five and specialist six were discontinued effective 1 October 1985.

[F50lrrp]

in 1965, As a young corporal (E-4), I was tasked to be the NCOIC of a group of soldiers traveling from Germany to Turkey. Included in the group were several Specialists from the rank of E-5 to E-8. It seems that the fact that I was an NCO put me in a position to have "Command Authority" and the specialists didn't.