[cookcounty]

" A CPL is a Non-commissioned officer, an easy mistake for a dumb reporter."

Is an E-4 an NCO, now? When I was in (the '71-'73 dark ages), I was an E4, but they didn't consider us NCOs. When I visited an Air Force base, I was shocked to find I could go to the NCO club and everybody addressed me as "Sargeant."

[Ispy4u]

The army has two E-4 Designations, Specialist which is not an NCO and CPL which is, the difference is usually the CPL has been to PLDC and usually has been boarded for E-5. Though some units will "promote" a Specialist to Corporal if they have any soldiers under them.

[El Gato]

Is an E-4 an NCO, now? When I was in (the '71-'73 dark ages), I was an E4, but they didn't consider us NCOs.

Two kinds of E-4 in the Army, Corporals and Specialists. In those "dark ages", and until fairly recently, the AF also had dual E-4 ranks, Senior Airman and Sergeant. Now they only have Sr. Amn, and the E-5 is a staff sergeant. In fact that far back they may have only had the sergeant rank. Even though I go back that far, maybe because I go back that far, I can't remember. See: Enlisted Ranks and Officer Ranks