Usmc Lcpl

[PhillyMobster]

Simple question, but one that has seemed to evade an answer. When did the US Marine Corps adopt the rank of Lance Corporal?

[Mike Keenan]

I believe the Marine Corps based their ranks off the British army.

[James]

Simple question, but one that has seemed to evade an answer. When did the US Marine Corps adopt the rank of Lance Corporal?

Not sure of the reason, but it was after the Korean War. Maybe to be less confusing than the Army, which has Pvt-1, Pvt-2, Pfc... USMC had Pvt, PFC, LCPL.

[KB]

Don't know the exact years but it was late '50s. Until then the USMC only had seven enlisted pay grades. This restructuring brought the USMC rank structure into line with the other uniformed services. It was also during this period that the crossed rifles were added to the rank insignia.

[PRMC09]

I believe the Marine Corps based their ranks off the British army.

Yea I think that too is correct, also sailors adapted the ranks of the Royal Navy after the time of the revolutionary war.

Here's a page about the history of U.S Military Ranks (http://usmilitary.about.com/od/jointservices/l/blrankhistory.htm)

[el borracho]

http://webpages.charter.net/usaihp/armyhome.html

This site also has a lot of good info on the history of US rank structure. In the WWI section, it has the USMC using the rank of Lance Corporal back then, however in another reference (from my personal collection) lists USMC ranks of that era as "pvt, pfc, cpl..." and so on. The above site also has the US Army using the rank of Lance Coporal briefly during the Vietnam era, before the awkward "PV2" rank was adopted. Some critics (read: Brits) have often pointed out that the US should add a rank of Lance Sergeant or Master Corporal, with an insignia of two chevrons and one rocker, and make that the E-5 rank, moving Sergeant up higher. Other militaries that use the British system complain that the US hands out the title of sergeant too casually. In the modern US military, one can reach the rank of sergeant in about 3-5 years, whereas in other countries it takes about 10.

[gaijinsamurai]

Damn, you're even more "Old Corps" than Hollis, Trace!

[James]

Damn, you're even more "Old Corps" than Hollis, Trace!

Trace enlisted at Tun Tavern! rofl rofl rofl

[James]

[url]Other militaries that use the British system complain that the US hands out the title of sergeant too casually. In the modern US military, one can reach the rank of sergeant in about 3-5 years, whereas in other countries it takes about 10.

On the other hand, I believe the U.S. Army and Marine Corps have 5 different kinds of Sergeant, whereas the UK has 4 (sort of) and Canada has just 1.

[baboon6]

On the other hand, I believe the U.S. Army and Marine Corps have 5 different kinds of Sergeant, whereas the UK has 4 (sort of) and Canada has just 1.

The three Canadian warrant officer ranks(WO/MWO/CWO) are approximately equivalent to US E7/E8/E9, so they also have four.

[Hessian]

http://webpages.charter.net/usaihp/armyhome.html

This site also has a lot of good info on the history of US rank structure. In the WWI section, it has the USMC using the rank of Lance Corporal back then, however in another reference (from my personal collection) lists USMC ranks of that era as "pvt, pfc, cpl..." and so on. The above site also has the US Army using the rank of Lance Coporal briefly during the Vietnam era, before the awkward "PV2" rank was adopted. Some critics (read: Brits) have often pointed out that the US should add a rank of Lance Sergeant or Master Corporal, with an insignia of two chevrons and one rocker, and make that the E-5 rank, moving Sergeant up higher. Other militaries that use the British system complain that the US hands out the title of sergeant too casually. In the modern US military, one can reach the rank of sergeant in about 3-5 years, whereas in other countries it takes about 10.

After 20 years in the Marine Corps. I can assure you that the rank of Sgt. is not " Casually " given out and often many units have a shortage of Sgt's.

Over and over again our people with the rank of Sgt. have proven themselves, we have a good thing going in the manner which we create our Sgt's and they don't take a back seat to any nations NCO's

How long it takes to become a Sgt in our Military really is of no concern to services of other nation's, we are doing just fine.

[James]

^^^ I was in 3/7 a decade ago and we were always short on Sergeants. Maybe 1 in a platoon as guide, maybe a squad leader, but it was common to have Corporals as squad leaders and LanceCoolies as Team leaders.

Were you an 03?

[el borracho]

It's not the rank that's given out, it's the title. In other militaries, a "sergeant" has roughly the equivalent position of a US E-6. Those that have the position and responsibilities similar to a US E-5 still fall into the "corporal" set of ranks. All I was saying is that like sergeants, some wish to see the roles of corporals expanded, and not limited to one grade. It's not an argument of whether a 23 year old Marine E-5 can do his job or not, but rather should he outrank a Canadian or British counterpart, who may have several years more experience, based on semantics? Call 'em what you want, that's not the point. All I'm saying is that fact irks many non-Americans.

[Hessian]

It's not the rank that's given out, it's the title. In other militaries, a "sergeant" has roughly the equivalent position of a US E-6. Those that have the position and responsibilities similar to a US E-5 still fall into the "corporal" set of ranks. All I was saying is that like sergeants, some wish to see the roles of corporals expanded, and not limited to one grade. It's not an argument of whether a 23 year old Marine E-5 can do his job or not, but rather should he outrank a Canadian or British counterpart, who may have several years more experience, based on semantics? Call 'em what you want, that's not the point. All I'm saying is that fact irks many non-Americans.

Yes, I was a 03.

Not to pick a fight with you but " who cares what they think " its our military.

People need to stop getting wrapped up in counting stripes and time in service, we ALL have much more important things to attend to. Sounds like chatter from people who need to focus on the Mission and stop bitchen.

[el borracho]

Yeah, I just put E-5 on myself and have caught a little ribbing from the Brits and Aussies I work with. I take it in stride, cause if I argue I know they'll just reply with "fookin yank."

[gaijinsamurai]

I got a lot of good-natured ribbing from the Brit soldiers we served with, when I was a 24-year old Marine sergeant in the aftermath of Desert Shield/Storm. It took me about five years to get it, but I earned the stripes.

[USMC_VA]

Around 1958 they totally renewed the Rank structure thus leaving us with the one we see today.

[Gerle]

I've read 1959 in several places, so I think you're right, USMC_VA.