Military question...Ranks?

Question

i have a friend in the military who recently just got promoted to what is defined as a "specialist"...I am aware that it is a kind of rank within the Army, but the question i want to ask is... do guys with different ranks..such as those who are specialists, and those who or PF Cs or lower or possibly higher..have different duties from one another...like is it possible for a specialist to get sent out to the field for a week while the rest of his division or brigade remains on base?... or do all ranks work together all of the time? im confused...lol

Answer 1

A Specialist or pay-grade E-4 is an important, yet distinct position in today's military.  Usually considered the heavy hitters, or workerbees; they are essential to every mission, big or small.

Generally, an E4 will work directly for an NCO, and side by side soldiers of equal rank and below.  They vary in experience and time in service.  And they are commonly laterally promoted to the rank of Corporal which is still an E4.  Corporals are NCOs with as much or more responsibilities than Sergeants/E5s.  And that's primarily because you're charged with duties as an NCO and those ranks of E4 and below.

Still, no E4, regardless of rank will operate independently without supervision of more senior soldiers in the field or at home.  So, NO, they will not perform duties separate from the rest of their respected divisions, brigades, units or squads.

An experienced squad of Specialist's is an invaluable asset to leaders.  They take with them at least a couple of years of experience of hard work in their job specialties.  They are pretty much at the top of their game for their pay-grades.  

Each MOS has specific duties that DO NOT change no matter what rank you are.   But with each earned promotion comes advanced duties within the occupation specific to rank.  E1 to E4 commonly all have the same duties until the grade of E5.  The main difference once attaining the rank of E5 or E4/CPL is the role of leadership.  Leading isn't limited to Sergeants only, it is however the rank at which we first become officially evaluated by our seniors.

Everyone does work toward one GOAL or MISSION.  Everyone has their own piece of the mission to accomplish.  That said, nobody can complete a mission without everyone doing their part--making everyone equally important.  

Answer 2

He's an E-4 (enlisted).  As you move up in rank, you gain more responsibility and privilege.  You wouldn't expect to see the manager of a restaurant washing dishes would you?  The lower you are in the food chain, the more scut work you can expect.  The higher you go, the less likely you are to get your hands dirty.

Answer 3

Usually there will be a squad between 10 soldiers or less give or take.  There is usually a E-5 (sergeant) or above in charge of the squad.

But specialist (e-4) and below all work together in their section or with other sections.  

Depending on the mission it is possible for one or two soldiers to be used to help out.  However usually the whole company or platoon go.

Answer 4

Usually all rank work together all of the time. It also depends on his field

Answer 5

Rank and Rate are two different things in the military.

Rank such as Private, Sargent are called Enlisted and they categorized as E-1, E-2. E-3 all the way until E-9

Officer such as Lieutenant, Captain. are Officer sort of like Managers in the civilian world and the hourly employees will be the enlisted.

Rate are their job assigment such as cook, specialist, mechanic etc. but Officers oversees every rate (job) like a Manager would at a factory or a workplace.

Some officer have special skill such as Engineering, Weapons, Admistration, and Supply.

Remember that no matter what is your Rate, your rank has a chain of comand., E-1 E-2 E-3 or O-1 O-2 O-3, etc

Answer 6

Ranks have to do with responsibilities and pay but when it comes for a mission to be executed all ranks have a roll to play in accomplishing the said mission. Remember the military has squads that form platoons which are part of a unit in a battalion that belongs to a brigade so all ranks and all people within the units of the battalions have to work together to get he mission accomplished.

think of it as your regular McD's, regular employees some on the fryer, some on the register, some on the burger line and some helping out with maintaining the cleanliness of the place all while the assistant managers help the manager, who reports to the general or regional manager, mange the day to day activities of the McDonald.

Answer 7

Specialist is the 4th enlisted grade (commonly referred to as "E-4").  E-1 (Private) through Specialist are your lowest level foot-soldiers, or operators, or whatever their specialty is.  E-4 is the highest of the class, the next rank up is Sergeant.  Sergeant is typically the first rank where soldiers get authority over other subordinate soldiers.  Sergeant is a little lower than middle management in the civilian world.  Groups of people of the same rank don't go to the field, units go to the field.  The E-4 would go to the field when his company does (a company has a variety of ranks ranging from Private to Captain), unless his specialty is a very low-density one, then he may go without his unit if he's tasked with supporting some other unit.