However, some support and service MOSs are Specialist only in the lower paygrades and don’t have junior NCO grades they translate to the next NCO grade instead. Specialists who get promoted to NCO rank (regardless of pay grade) usually become Corporals until they attend NCO training courses. Senior grades (SP/5 to SP/7) are indicated by 1 to 3 rockers (nicknamed “bird umbrellas”) over the upper arc of the Specialist patch rather than chevrons. The Specialist 4 patch resembles the space between an NCO’s chevrons and rockers and is embossed with the General Service branch insignia of a spread eagle. Specialist insignia is an inversion of regular NCO insignia to prevent confusion. Specialists outranked Privates but were subordinate to Non-Commissioned-, Warrant-, and Commissioned Officers. They replaced the Technician grades from World War Two. Specialists were Enlisted personnel who had passed courses of specialized training. The rank of Private First Class then received the insignia of a chevron over a rocker. The rank of Private did not get insignia until May 1968 when it received the single chevron formerly worn by Privates First Class. Privates who had voluntarily enlisted were promoted to PFC upon being assigned to a combat tour in Vietnam so they wouldn’t be outranked by draftees. (This would be after they had competed bootcamp and while they were attending Advanced Training for their MOS). Private Recruits were usually promoted to Private after four months. They have no authority over other soldiers.
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