For the first part of the question, yes ih was just and ordinary trooper, infanterist, of thr 23rd, so no nco stars, this is taken just before going to front so he couldn't actually, he didn't had time to earn anything yet, for the second part of the question I really don't know, maybe this is just put on for the photo, maybe hi had some regimental specialist role, but I really can't tell, all i know he lost two first cousins on podogra, also in 23rd, so I don't believe he had any different role. But thank you for looking into it.
Grone