army ignorance question...

[MansonTheTool]

What exactly is a spec-4? At one point, was there a spec-3? Like, for instance an advanced PFC or something? I've been reading a lot of military books this summer and I've seen that term a couple of places.

[Soldado]

...nope, not that I know of. Spec. is just Specialist. It specifies the 4 because a Corporal is also an E-4...hence Spec-4.

[Sammy Sandbag]

There was at one time a Specialist 4 through 8 (IIRC). Before that it was called Technical (ie T-5) Then the Army decided to reduce the number of ranks. They maintained Spec-4. Both it and corporal are E-4 grade, but the corporal rank is part of the NCO corps, where as the specialist isn't.

[Wes]

Sammy is correct. Spec-4 is a Specialist. E-4 rank.

Spec 4 mafia all the way baby, gotta love this sham shield. :D

[zhar]

For those who want a little history lesson here are what the old specialist insignia look like:

http://www2.powercom.net/~rokats/viet_era.html

[MansonTheTool]

okay, so in other words...in today's army spec-4 is just slang for a specialist.

[Sammy Sandbag]

Yes, similar to PV2 is slang for Private (E-2.)

[MansonTheTool]

Ah ok...now it makes total sense. Thanks.

[ironmike]

And E4P or SPCP generally means a Spec-4 that has been to PLDC or is high on the Order of Meritt, the "P" means promotable. It is used for someone eligible for promotion but does not have a slot available, or the MOS is overstrength and has a very high cutoff score. (Like the 998 for most of the time I was in)

[neo]

Watch Band of Brothers. Good bit of Spec-5's and Spec-6's running around and you see their strips over the specialist rank. Also a good bit in M.A.S.H.

[MansonTheTool]

Yeah, I've noticed the sergeant ranks with the "T"'s under them, but never really paid much attention to the specialists. Also...anyone know where Band of Brothers is the cheapest new?

[Sammy Sandbag]

I saw it a Wally World for about $70 a while back. It was $90 at Best Buy.

[MansonTheTool]

lol...I thought Wally World only existed in Chevy Chase movies. I'll just have to keep my eyes peeled around here. Target has it for 89.99 still, and someone insisted Best Buy had it for like 60 or 69 here, but I highly doubt that and right now it's not worth the trip out.

[Sammy Sandbag]

Well check the prices online for Best Buy. I bought it for my dad a while back and it was $90 at Best Buy. I saw it a few weeks later at Walmart for $70.

[PopPunkRocker15]

look up Band of Brothers DVD on ebay, it has it new for like 60

[MansonTheTool]

yeah, the only problem with that is that with eBay you have to be careful to read the fine print or you could wind up with imported crap.