The Specialist-5 and up were a recognition of the fact that while many soldiers are very good technicians, they don’t have the leadership skills and ability to lead a diarrhea victim to the outhouse.
Today’s army tries to overcome that and convince everybody that leadership skills can be taught to anyone and everyone.
I would probably fit in the second category. I tend to function best without babysitting idiots. Generally I’m told to take care of something and I go do it.
Good and capable leaders are so hard to find. Glad to be around them.
Leadership skills cannot be taught to everyone and that’s just as well. If everybody was a leader you’d have constant chaos.
I was a Spec 5 and never had to lead anybody to an outhouse. I did, however, run the company Tech Supply (aviation outfit) for the last four months of my time in country when the SSGT who had that position rotated back to the world. The CWO3 who ran the shop platoon promised me staff stripes if I would extend for an additional six months. I considered it but after the Tet offensive I politely declined.
I did a damned good job. The only people who weren’t happy were the few PFCs and Spec 4s who used to work with me but now worked FOR me. I got along well with the other NCOs, though and most of them called me sergeant in spite of my specialist rank. I liked the Army. Too bad my wife didn’t :^)