ABOUT TEC5: T5
- TEC5/T5 stands for Technician Fifth Grade: The rank was created by the U.S. Army during World War II to recognize soldiers with specialized technical skills.
- Non-Commissioned Officer Equivalent: While TEC5s were non-commissioned officers (NCOs) in pay, they had no command authority over other soldiers, which sometimes caused confusion in the ranks.
- Distinctive Insignia: The insignia for TEC5 was the same as a corporal's (two chevrons), but with a "T" beneath the chevrons to designate technical status.
- Wide Range of Specialties: TEC5s included radio operators, mechanics, medics, and other technical experts essential to modern warfare.
- Rank Established in 1942: The Technician grades were introduced in January 1942 as the U.S. Army expanded rapidly for World War II.
- Technician Grades Discontinued after WWII: The TEC5 rank, along with other technician grades, was abolished in 1948 as the Army restructured its enlisted ranks.
- Famous TEC5: Desmond Doss: The legendary Medal of Honor recipient from "Hacksaw Ridge," Desmond Doss, served as a TEC5 medic during the Battle of Okinawa.
- Female TEC5s: Women serving in roles such as the Women's Army Corps (WAC) could also hold the technician ranks, reflecting their technical contributions.
- Nickname "Tech Corporal": The TEC5 was often informally referred to as "Tech Corporal" due to its insignia similarity and pay grade.
- Legacy in Modern Army: While the specific rank of TEC5 no longer exists, its spirit lives on in specialized enlisted ranks and military occupational specialties (MOS) today.