Posted on Apr 26, 2018
What exactly is the difference between a Master Sergeant and a 1st Sergeant? Is one technically higher than the other?
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Do you know the difference between a Platoon Sergeant and a Sergeant First Class?
Similar, but at a higher level.
Similar, but at a higher level.
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Same pay not same job or respect , Top arrives two hours before everybody and stays two hours later than everyone
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The First Sergeant is directly in the chain of command under the Company Commander, a master sergeant can hold many administrative positions, but is not in the chain of command. In that respect the First Sergeant out ranks a master sergeant. To get touchy the First Sergeant is at company level directly below the Company Commander, a master sergeant at battalion level is not in the chain of command but is above the company level nco's.
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Yes a 1SG is in a Command position and leads all the Soldiers in his company. Usually a MSG is in a non leadership post per say G1 Nurses etc Does that make sense
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So, help a sailor out. I haven’t been attached to the Marines yet, and in high school rotc we only had c/1SGs and a c/CSM. No c/SPC, no c/MSG, no c/SGM.
MSG & SGM are NCOs in charge of the staff on an S (S-1, S-2, etc.)
Does that make them specialists in their area? Similar to difference between CPL and SPC? (SGM:MSG:SPC:::CSM:1SG:CPL).
They’re NCOs, whereas SPC aren’t, but are they specialists in their MOS? Navy/USCG, we have Command/Force/Fleet Chiefs, where they’re not the lead in a Department, but the senior sailor on board. Is that the model? Or a first-among-equals kind of thing?
Different culture, just trying to learn. Thanks!
MSG & SGM are NCOs in charge of the staff on an S (S-1, S-2, etc.)
Does that make them specialists in their area? Similar to difference between CPL and SPC? (SGM:MSG:SPC:::CSM:1SG:CPL).
They’re NCOs, whereas SPC aren’t, but are they specialists in their MOS? Navy/USCG, we have Command/Force/Fleet Chiefs, where they’re not the lead in a Department, but the senior sailor on board. Is that the model? Or a first-among-equals kind of thing?
Different culture, just trying to learn. Thanks!
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CSM Richard StCyr
You're pretty close, 1SG work with and advise company commanders and run companies health welfare and training and CSM do like wise with battalion and higher echelons.
MSG depending on the units type, run the S staffs or tech sections generally at the Brigade level, some Battalions depending on size and type have them as NCOIC of different sections or staff.
SGM are usually NCOIC of the S sections at Division or higher echelons and as an Engineer we had one for our Operations NCO at Battalion level.
The Army and it's Specialist rank verses Corporal is that the Corporal is serving and actually manning a Sergeants slot on the MTOE usually a team leader and in charge of several troops but usually less than a Squad. The specialist is generally not in a team leader position.
MSG depending on the units type, run the S staffs or tech sections generally at the Brigade level, some Battalions depending on size and type have them as NCOIC of different sections or staff.
SGM are usually NCOIC of the S sections at Division or higher echelons and as an Engineer we had one for our Operations NCO at Battalion level.
The Army and it's Specialist rank verses Corporal is that the Corporal is serving and actually manning a Sergeants slot on the MTOE usually a team leader and in charge of several troops but usually less than a Squad. The specialist is generally not in a team leader position.
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SSgt Nevin Kirkland
In the Marine Corps the First Sergeant is generally an administrative post, responsible for the overall administration, including counseling and discipline, of the unit. For that reason, especially the disciplinary part, First Sergeants are generally perceived as more authoritative, especially to junior Marines. A Marine of any MOS can become a First Sergeant and then be assigned MOS 8999 (previously, 9999).
On the other hand, Master Sergeants are usually experts in their MOS and work as an E-8 in their specific MOS field. To junior Marines, Master Sergeants are still treated with the same level of respect as the First Sergeant, but not typically feared as much since they are not usually the disciplinarians that the First Sergeant is required to be.
Generally, most (but not all), Gunnery Sergeants want to become First Sergeants and ultimately Sergeants Major. Part of the reasoning there is they get burned out on their MOS and becoming a First Sergeant let's them have the ability to operate in a different skill set. However, First Sergeant billets are fewer and the Marine Corps needs Master Sergeants too, so not everybody gets their wish.
On the other hand, Master Sergeants are usually experts in their MOS and work as an E-8 in their specific MOS field. To junior Marines, Master Sergeants are still treated with the same level of respect as the First Sergeant, but not typically feared as much since they are not usually the disciplinarians that the First Sergeant is required to be.
Generally, most (but not all), Gunnery Sergeants want to become First Sergeants and ultimately Sergeants Major. Part of the reasoning there is they get burned out on their MOS and becoming a First Sergeant let's them have the ability to operate in a different skill set. However, First Sergeant billets are fewer and the Marine Corps needs Master Sergeants too, so not everybody gets their wish.
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I was in the position of 1sgt for about 3 months while still an SFC. Our old 1sgt had left on a compassionate reassignment. Then the replacement E8 assigned the duty arrived and I went back to my regular duties. I was happily surprised that the other E8s in the company gave me no problems. None of them wanted the job. lol.
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SGT Don Sanker
MSG Hutch, I saw that rather frequently while assigned to an infantry battalion. As soon as the E-8 list was published the newly minted SFC (P)s were placed in First Sergeant positions. Always thought it was a bit unfair, doing the 1SG work and getting paid as an SFC!
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A SPC doesn't know?. Ok there is no difference in pay, but undoubted in power/position. Bothe are E8, the MSG is on staff at BN and higher as the Section NCOIC and controls that section as it's senior NCOIC. The 1SG is a command title- he is the senior NCO of a Company, head enlisted advisor to the Company Commander. It is no different the SGM/CSM- SGM are in charge of staffs, CSM are in charge as the senior NCO of units.
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The difference is level of authority they have and duties they carry. Just like a corporal is to a specialist; they are the blame Rank and same pay but the coporal has more authority and usually more duties than a specialist. A 1SG usually the highest NCO of a company level.
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SGT (Join to see)
Ha, that’s when the phrase “uh, SGM, don’t confuse your rank with my authority” comes in handy.
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1SG Billye Jackson
Had a CSM tell me and all the other 1st Sgts one time we worked for hem. The Commanders made sure that the Bn CDR set hem Strat. FAST. My most Challenging and Best Time as a 1st Sgt was in a HHB in Germany, it was also my First, Talk about being thrown into a Meat Grinder. 247 Off and EM.
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I retired 48 years ago in 1971 so I do not know what the current regulations are. In 1971 when I retired a First Sergeant was appointed the ranking enlisted man regardless of time in grade or time in service of any other E8s in the Company. Since I was First Sergeant of Headquarters Company and the Battalion Sergeant Major (E9) was a member it was customary that he attend formations when I requested although not required. I did not experience any problems on that score the 3 years I was First Sergeant. My retirement Orders and Retired ID Card indicate my rank as 1SG E8.
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