Army Spec 8 and 9 Chevrons

[blkjack07]

Hi, all .....

 

In his book "Chevrons", on page 198, Emerson says "[in 1958].... master specialists became specialists seven, while the two new senior enlisted grades were specialists eight and nine. This shuffling of titles to accommodate the two higher grades notwithstanding, the Army officially declared the chevrons obsolete in 1965, never having used them."

 

So nobody was ever promoted to Spec 8 or 9? Is that right?

 

I thought I saw an earlier post from someone who had seen these chevrons worn, but I can't find it.

 

Thanks for any input,

John :bye1:

 

[El Bibliotecario]

I can't offer anything definitive, but I was on active duty in the mid '60s and NEVER saw a Sp8 or 9. I believe I saw ONE Sp7 in a three year period. I recall a single Sp6 in my battery, but the typical career progression was from Sp5 to SSG. In my experience, Sp5s functioned in many respects as junior NCOs, so the crossover to hardstripe was logical.

 

My Bn Hq was located on an air force base, so I shopped at the AF base exchange, rather than an army PX. The BX stocked army insignia--including copious quantities of specialist stripes for the top pay grades, which of course no one purchased. Apparenty whoever ordered army insignia for the BX had no idea as to the quirks of army rank.

 

I would offer this speculation--in the peacetime regular army one had to have years of service to reach the senior pay grades, and I suspect that regulations notwithstanding, it simply went contrary to military culture to put senior soldiers in a position where (in theory) they would be obliged to accept orders from any young buck sergeant. For that reason, I'd further speculate there were precious few SP6s and SP7s.

 

I recall a rough old cob in my battery who had been up and down the ranks a few times who was promoted from Sp4 to SGT. He stated the battery commander had told him that in view of his long service, he was making him an NCO rather than a Sp5.

[Third Herd]

The ranks were worn, but not by solders, when I was in the National Guard 1977-1984, we had a training film that made the senior guys break up laughing. It had a someone wearing Spec-9 and/or Spec-8 stripes in it. It has been awhile, but I remember the comments about the funny rank. The film was probably on the TRC-24 or some related equipment.

[Teamski]

You know, that is the first time I have seen the 1955 pattern stripes in E-8 and E-9. I have seen the 1962 versions, but not these. They must be really hard to come by compared to the later ones.

 

-Ski

[Justin B.]

You know, that is the first time I have seen the 1955 pattern stripes in E-8 and E-9. I have seen the 1962 versions, but not these. They must be really hard to come by compared to the later ones.

 

Females continued to use the smaller size after the male insignia was enlarged. They were probably manufactured in the same time frame as the larger Spec 8 and Spec 9.

 

Best regards,

Justin

[JCFalkenbergIII]

Hi, all .....

 

In his book "Chevrons", on page 198, Emerson says "[in 1958].... master specialists became specialists seven, while the two new senior enlisted grades were specialists eight and nine. This shuffling of titles to accommodate the two higher grades notwithstanding, the Army officially declared the chevrons obsolete in 1965, never having used them."

 

So nobody was ever promoted to Spec 8 or 9? Is that right?

 

I thought I saw an earlier post from someone who had seen these chevrons worn, but I can't find it.

 

Thanks for any input,

John :bye1:

 

 

Here is the thread you are looking for. Robert

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/ind...c%209&st=40

[blkjack07]

Here is the thread you are looking for. Robert

Thanks......

[sgmsantos]

Hi blkjack07,

 

On the patches you have pictured were they a large version or the smaller 2" wide female version.

 

I recently found a large one of this version at an antique shop and wonder if it in fact real. I know males wore the smaller version in Vietnam I have pictures of my father with the SPC 5 rank and it was the small version now know as the female version. As soon as I snap a picture of this patch I will upload it and look for feedback from other members.

[blkjack07]

Hi blkjack07,

 

On the patches you have pictured were they a large version or the smaller 2" wide female version.

 

I recently found a large one of this version at an antique shop and wonder if it in fact real. I know males wore the smaller version in Vietnam I have pictures of my father with the SPC 5 rank and it was the small version now know as the female version. As soon as I snap a picture of this patch I will upload it and look for feedback from other members.

They were the smaller 2" wide version. The large and small ones are slightly different designs. The inner-most arc and chevron on the large ones almost touch each other; they do not on the small ones.

[sgmsantos]

 

Thanks blkjack07,

I have posted a picture of the one I found along side a female SPC 8 and a male SPC 8. This is a large 3" of the female design. I have never seen one like this in the large version but only paid a couple bucks for it.

[blkjack07]

I have never seen one like this in the large version ...

Nor have I. Perhaps someone else can comment.

[roadrunner]

Hello

 

Never seen one before.

I think it is a prototype chevron.

It could be they realised that in the gold on green version it would be to large to wear it with a unit patch ?

 

Michael

[Third Herd]

At a flea market in the early 1970's I got a pair of Specialist 9 chevrons on a card like sold in the PX. There was a big box of patches and stripes with several pairs of Spec 9 on the card in it. Now I wish I had bought another pair and left them on the card. I don't think they are any larger than other Army E-9 chevrons.

[Hokies2016]

IMG_20150327_173309_491.jpg

 

Thanks blkjack07,

 

I have posted a picture of the one I found along side a female SPC 8 and a male SPC 8. This is a large 3" of the female design. I have never seen one like this in the large version but only paid a couple bucks for it.

Interesting stripes, very nice find. Definitely a good price!