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Technician Fourth Grade (abbreviated as T/4, TEC4 or TEC-4) was one of three United States Army technician ranks established on January 8, 1942, during World War II. Those who held this rank were often addressed as Sergeant. Technicians possessed specialized skills that were rewarded with a higher pay grade. These skills could be directly related to combat, such as those skills possessed by a tank driver or combat engineer, or skills possessed by those in support functions such as cooks or mechanics. They were non-commissioned officers, as were sergeants but had no command authority. Initially, they shared the same insignia as sergeant, but on September 4, 1942, the three technician ranks were distinguished by a block "T" imprinted below the standard chevrons. Unofficial insignia using a technical specialty symbol instead of the T was used in some units.
In the modern day U.S. Army, there are 13 enlisted ranks that are classified on a scale from E1 - E9. (E standing for enlisted) The scale is often referred to as pay grade, as some numbers on the scale are different ranks, but receive the same rate of pay. The pay grades are often divided into three different groups: junior enlisted, (E1-E3) NCO's (E4-E6) and senior NCO's. (E7-E9)
Some distinctions to insignia occur in today's army. For example, a chaplain will wear a cross on top of their name to signify that they are a religious leader and can be approached by anyone in need of their service. Rangers will often wear a ranger tab above their rank on their cover.
The army has continuously added and removed ranks based on the evolution of the fighting force. Eventually, the technician rank dissipated from the army and instead all soldiers by the rank of E4 wore either the rank of specialist or corporal. It is unclear if the rank of technician will be re added to the ranks of the U.S. Army anytime soon.
See also
- Technician third grade
- Technician fifth grade
- U.S. Army enlisted rank insignia of World War II
References
- History of U.S. Army Enlisted ranks The Institute of Heraldry
- Rank, Enlisted, U.S. Army Saving Private Ryan Online Encyclopedia