Expert: Aaron Shifferly - 4/6/2010

Question
i was lateral promoted to cpl becuse i functioning in a e5 position in my last unit.. i was told that a unit need my to deploy with them so i agreed to deploy with them and i been with them for almost a year.. it was a issue when i was coming to the unit as a cpl.. been deployed for more then six months next thing i know i find out from my s1 that i been demoted to spc but no one told me whats going on.. never been in trouble and never had a counseling.. all that was writen on my 4187 was ar 600-8-19,chapter 7,section II ,para 7-11 (d)(1-3)..

Answer
A corporal is generally used as a rank for someone who is in an NCO slot, much as the First Sergeant rank (equivalent in pay to Master Sergeant) is used to distinguish leadership position from staff. Your company commander, legally, can laterally appoint you specialist or corporal with just the 4187 for whatever reason he chooses. I would ask your chain of command why that decision was made, if you are still serving in a team leader or other NCO position. I hope this answers your question.