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Technican rating authority to command troops.

Discussion in 'Information Requests' started by Buten42, Feb 11, 2017.

  1. Buten42

    Buten42 Member

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    What was the ability of a technician NCO to give orders to a hard stripe of a lesser rank.
    For instance, could a tech 4 (3stripe) give orders to a hard stripe corporal?
    I found references that say the tech ratings had no command authority, and other sources say their authority was slightly below an NCO of equivalent rank. Appreciate any input.
     
    Buten42, Feb 11, 2017
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  2. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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    From my brief look, it seems that Tech had some command authority. The book below has a section on the authority of Techs.

    Technician ratings are not to be confused with the rank of the more traditional rank of technical sergeant. For command purposes technicians ranked just below the equivalent of their strips. A technician 3rd grade (Tech/3) ranked just below a staff sergeant when it came to giving orders.
    http://www.fatherswar.com/8thinfdiv/WW2/ww2_8thgeneralinfo/general%20info/WW2%20Rank.html

    https://books.google.com/books?id=QHifyZFfmKEC&pg=PA295&lpg=PA295&dq=authority+of+technician+nco+ww2&source=bl&ots=dLisU0noqC&sig=vxZAKKjyo9q6Y2Cm8e9XRfhSfFQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj7nPj8v4nSAhVI3IMKHW0kDCEQ6AEIRjAG#v=onepage&q=authority%20of%20technician%20nco%20ww2&f=false
     
    LRusso216, Feb 11, 2017
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  3. Buten42

    Buten42 Member

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    "Technicians, third, fourth, and fifth grades will rank among themselves, according to the dates of their warrants, below staff sergeants, sergeants, and corporals, respectively."

    Lou, I have "Finding Your Father's War". (An excellent reference), and also where I found the reference that Tech rank rated just below the equivalent. That seems to agree with the Regulation from the NCO book you posted. (Quoted above). That pretty much cinched it for me. Another forum I blundered into went on for twenty or so posts on this subject and solved nothing. You nailed it in one--kudos
    Thanks again.
     
    Buten42, Feb 11, 2017
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  4. Slipdigit

    Slipdigit Good Ol' Boy Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    Mr. Sanford wore tech chevrons until he earned staff sergeant. He said he was never treated any differently than someone without the T.
     
    Slipdigit, Feb 12, 2017
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  5. Buten42

    Buten42 Member

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    In the 60's we regarded NCO's equally whether they were specialists rated or hard stripe. If we were E-4 we took orders from E-5s and up without giving the specialist rating a second thought. Sounds like it was the same in the 40's.
     
    Buten42, Feb 12, 2017
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