What exactly is the difference between a Master Sergeant and a 1st Sergeant? Is one technically higher than the other?

SGT Gunderson,
I believe that you are mistaken for this is simply a training issue for the majority of Command Staff. I am the 1SG of a Field Artillery Battery but am currently deployed as part of a Joint Staff. The 2nd day on ground, I took off the diamond and am referred to as “Master Sergeant” by all the Navy and Air Force personnel on ground. They do not know that I am a First Seargeant and when I attempt to explain to them that when I came to a “Staff” position, I lose the diamond for I am not part of the “Command Team”.
His Drill Sergeants did not fail him for it is something you learn after a while after you start to earn your technical and tactical experience.

I find it odd that wasn't explained in basic.

Go find yourself a MSG and ask. Go straight to the source. It's the quickest way to get the answer. Don't be a pussy, SPC. Or be a Pussy Specialist. I don't fucking care, just get an exhaust sample of the commanders track over to the motorpool.

1st Sgt is Top Gun by the book by designated authority in the same manner Old School 'Green Tab' NCO may command any US ARMY combat formation; nevertheless, natural leaders sometimes emerge. The NCO is the backbone of the US ARMY. Initiative without orders must be requisite. For example, a E-4 once commanded Lt. Col. Andres' 1/33 AR 2 BDE 3 AD SPEARHEAD.

What I understand is that the Master Segeant is a subject matter expert albeit enlisted advisor, unlike a warrant officer. A Sergeant Major and First Sergeant is a manpower manager. They have similar skillsets when it applies to leadership but billet wise they serve one or the other purpose as mentioned earlier.

Yes, First Sergeants run the Army.

Technically they are the same except for the Diamond . It signifies that diamond is in charge of a Company... as a Master sergeant just assist anyway they can .....

Both are Senior Non-Commissioned Officers. However, the First Sergeant requires the rank of a MSgt as a minimum. It’s a dictinctive senior position in an organization. The 1Sgt is solely charged with managing the welfare of the enlisted personnel in the organization they are assigned, on behalf of the Unit Commander.

Sorry I hit E-9 rather than E-8. They are bothe senior enlisted soldiers but the 1st Sgt would be considered the NCOIC in this case even though they are both E-8 in Rank. I apologize for the first post, my damn fingers are too big for these letters and numbers. The eyesight of this old man doesn’t help either....

I hope this helps....

Yes, 1st Sgt is an E-9 which is a higher rank and the highest rank of an Enlisted person...

One is in directly in charge of a company of soldiers 1SG, the other is normally in a operational role, MSG.

MSG is normally a senior NCO in a technical MOS.
1SG is normally THEE senior NCO at company level.
Don’t piss off either one!

As stated, Google and chain of command. Will your next question ask the difference between CSM and SGM?

As a company commander ( 3 companies in and out of combat) my First Sergeant was my sounding board, confidant, heart on all matters concerning my soldiers and NCOs. He had insight and experience that I could rely on and could function as an executive officer when necessary. My platoon leaders, no matter how smart, brave and dedicated were always in a training mode and when they got really good they moved up and out. That is how the system works and how we can get good commanders. The First Sergeant and NCOs provide the continuity and experience essential for success. A MSG gives an administrative, staff, technical operation a depth of experience and operational continuity necessary for success. Equally capable individuals but the First Sergeant is part of the command structure as is the CSM

A MSG is a staff position / support for command jobs at the BN , BDE , division level and a 1SG is a command position in charge of troop that do direct contact or maneuver in the field with fighting bad guys ..

1SGT out ranks Master SGT

A MSG. Is a technically orientated NCO. Where as a First Sargeant's mission is to make sure that the commander's intent is carried out, and at the same time be a voice for the enlisted personnel under his command

This has been answered fairly......in other terms, compare a SPC with a CPL.

1SG is the senior nco and advisor to the Company Commander and a part of the command staff at the Company level. He/She is lateraly promoted from MSG to1SG. MSG usually works at staff level Battalion or higher.

I served as a First Sergeant as an E7 and earned my “M”
Identifier. It’s a duty position and you don’t have to be a E8. That’s why I believe the Army should have an E7 stripe with a diamond as the AF does.

General Officers will at times reply, “Yes First Sergeant”. To the Master Sergeant they issue orders. “Diamonds are trump”. That is the difference. My retired ID reads First Sergeant and MOS carries the M identifier.