How Much Does A Staff Sergeant Earn
Basic pay for an entry-level Staff Sergeant with 2 or less years of experience is $2,849.40 per month.
A Staff Sergeant receives an automatic raise to their basic pay every one to two years.Basic pay is only a small percentage of a Staff Sergeant’s final compensation package.
In addition to a monthly basic pay salary, a Army Staff Sergeant may be eligible for multiple types of allowances and bonus pay including retirement benefits, education allowance, food allowance, hazard pay, and more.
For full details on the Army’s Staff Sergeant compensation and retirement plan, visit the 2022 Army Staff Sergeant Pay Chart. A full table of the Army’s current paygrades are available at the Army Pay Chart.
Does A 2nd Lt Outrank A Sgt Major
The rank of a sergeant major is held by the senior non-commissioned officer in a company, battery, troop, or detachment. Its only superior is the company commander, and in his absence, the first sergeant. A 2nd Lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in the Army and Air Force, and the Navy and Marine Corps. Its only superior is the 1st lieutenant and in his absence, the captain. Hence, a 2nd Lieutenant outranks a sergeant major..
Police Departments And Prisons
Sergeant is also a commonly-used rank within United States police departments. It ranks above “officer” and “corporal”, and it represents the first level of management within the organization. Most major departments, including the Atlanta Police Department, Chicago Police Department, Dallas Police Department, Houston Police Department, Los Angeles Police Department, Miami-Dade Police Department, New York State Police, New York Police Department, Philadelphia Police Department, San Diego Police Department, and the Seattle Police Department have the rank of sergeant.
The rank of sergeant is also often used in American prisons. It is a supervisory rank above the rank-and-file prison officer.
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Regimental Sergeant Major Of The Army
The senior warrant officer in the Australian Army holds the rank of Warrant Officer and the appointment of Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army. The position of RSM-A was established in 1983 with the first incumbent being WO1 Wally Thompson OAM. The RSM-A is responsible to the Chief of Army, but responsive to all ranks across Army.
The RSM-A is a member of the personal staff of the Chief of Army. The RSM-As primary role is to represent to the Chief of Army, and others, the solicited and unsolicited views concerns and opinions of Soldiers in the Army, but also carry the Chief of Armys message down and across the ranks. The current Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army is Warrant Officer Grant McFarlane, OAM.
Not Finding Your Answer

–#1) At right on desktops, at the bottom of every pageon tablets and phones, is a list of all the offices, officials & topics covered on the site.
–#2) If you dont see the official you seek included or your question answered . I am pretty fast at sending a reply: usually the next day or so Note: I dont have mailing or Email addresses for any of the officials and I dont keep track of offices that exist only in history books.
–#3) If I think your question is of interest to others, Sometimes I post the question but always change all the specifics.
Robert Hickey
Robert Hickey author of Honor & Respect
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Ready For Some Practice
Overall, these different rankings explained above show a persons standing in the hierarchyin that particular order.
An enlisted private is the lowest in the army ranks. A private can eventually advance from this junior position to a corporal.
From there, there are many other advancements, including sergeant, lieutenant, captain,major, and colonel, until some reach a general officer ranking. This is a senior officer role with typically over 30 years of experience and is only second to general of the army during war time.
For example:
- With hard work and dedication, she advanced during her career in the army from a private to a lieutenant and then finally a general.
- Her grandfather became a private during World War II after enlisting as a teen because he always dreamed of becoming a sergeant.
Not everyone who starts as a private will move all of the way up the ranks to become a general, but every corporal, major, colonel, etc. has to put in the time to gain experience as well as authority before being promoted.
Enlist your curiosity in learning about another group of terms that are commonly mixed up: vs. .
Us Army Enlisted Ranks
The Indeed Editorial Team comprises a diverse and talented team of writers, researchers and subject matter experts equipped with Indeed’s data and insights to deliver useful tips to help guide your career journey.
The United States Army follows a clearly defined ranking system for enlisted soldiers below the level of officer. Enlisted personnel generally perform specific occupational specialties while officers have more command responsibilities. Understanding U.S. Army ranks may help you set your own goals for service or better understand the accomplishments and responsibilities of soldiers. In this article, we discuss the 13 enlisted ranks, pay grades, leadership levels and responsibilities.
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What Does Sergeant Mean
In the US Army, a sergeant is a noncommissioned army officer of a rank above that of corporal. A sergeant oversees soldiers daily tasks and they often lead a team or section of soldiers that are slightly bigger than a corporals team but usually only up to four soldiers.
There are levels of sergeant including staff Sergeant, sergeant first class, master sergeant, firstsergeant, and sergeant major.
The term sergeant was first recorded in 11501200 from Middle English.
Army Ranks: Junior Enlisted
The term as a military rank seems to come from the 16th century when individuals had the privilege of enlisting or making private contracts to serve as private soldiers in military units. Before then, many soldiers were forced into service by royalty or feudal lords.
Some sources claim that the use of “private” as an official “rank” dates back to the 18th century, when the French Army, under Napoleon, established the permanent rank of Soldat.
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A Quick Vocabulary Lesson
Here are some terms youll need to know:
- Rank: Think of rank as the militarys organizational structure.
- Insignia: Insignia on service members uniforms can represent rank, rate or designator. It may include various emblems such as chevrons, bars, oak leaves or stars. Typically, service members wear insignia on the shoulder or collar of their uniform, but stripes on a uniform sleeve often represents years of service.
- Pay grade: Military members of the same pay grade are paid the same amount in each branch of service. The service branches represent pay grades by a letter and a number, so an officer at the first pay grade is an O-1 an enlisted member at the fourth pay grade is an E-4.
Warrant Officer Class 1
Insignia: Royal coat of arms, sometimes surrounded by a wreath
This is the senior non-commissioned rank, with specialist roles in the technical and non-combatant services in the combat and combat-support arms, responsible for discipline within the unit and in war for its ammunition resupply and prisoner handling. Appointments include conductor and regimental sergeant major.
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Warrant Officer Class Two
Warrant Officer Class Two Insignia
This is a senior management role focusing on the training, welfare and discipline of a company, squadron or battery of up to 200 soldiers. WO2s act as senior adviser to the commander of a sub-unit. Company Sergeant-Major in all sub-units except for the following:
- Squadron Sergeant-Major in Armoured, Aviation and Engineer sub-units
- Artificer Sergeant-Major in RAEME sub-units
- Battery Sergeant-Major in Artillery sub-units.
WO2s are also employed in more senior logistics and technical trades across most corps of the Army. They can have titles such as Artificer Sergeant-Major, Chief Clerk or Quarter Master Sergeant. WO2s are also employed as supervising instructors in Army schools.
What Rank Is A Sgt Major In The Army

A sergeant major is a sergeant with years of experience. It is the highest rank you can get while enlisted in the army. The rank is given to any standard sergeant in the army. For example, John Doe was a sergeant in the army. He had served 10 years in the army. He was given the rank of sergeant major. This is common in all branches of the army. If you are a sergeant major in the army, you have to have atleast 10 years of service..
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How Do You Address A Command Sergeant Major
To address a Command Sergeant Major, one would say, Command Sergeant Major , Sergeant Major or Sergeant Major . To start off, you say Command Sergeant Major and the other persons first name. To end, you say Sergeant Major and the other persons rank. The other persons first name should be used to help the other person feel like he or she isnt being talked down to..
Command Sergeants Major Are Extremely Rare Nearly Operating Outside The Boundaries Of Rank
These guys jumped out of planes for a living, so no, they cant really sympathize with your fear of heights or the confidence course. There are usually several ranks of sergeant, each corresponding to greater experience and responsibilit Im not sure if youre asking about rank, job specialities, or personality types but since i attended ocs as a candidate and returned as an instructor ill give you my point of view.
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How Much Does A Sergeant Major Earn
Basic pay for an entry-level Sergeant Major with Over 10 years of experience is $5,789.10 per month.
A Sergeant Major receives an automatic raise to their basic pay every one to two years.Basic pay is only a small percentage of a Sergeant Major’s final compensation package.
In addition to a monthly basic pay salary, a Army Sergeant Major may be eligible for multiple types of allowances and bonus pay including food allowance, retirement benefits, hostile fire pay, and more.
For full details on the Army’s Sergeant Major compensation and retirement plan, visit the 2022 Army Sergeant Major Pay Chart. A full table of the Army’s current paygrades are available at the Army Pay Chart.
Whats The Highest Rank In The Army
The highest rank in the army is Field Marshal. Field Marshal is a very high rank and the only people who hold this rank are those who have been promoted from the rank of General. Field Marshals wear four stars as their badge of rank as against the three stars of a General as well as a different uniform and different insignia. Field Marshals usually command very large formations and also the highest level HQs in the Army. Field Marshals may or may not be members of the Army Board and may or may not be members of the Army Committee..
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How To Address A Marine Gunnery Sergeant
How would I address a Marine, Gunnery Sergeant Jim Wilson and his wife Anne? Connie Clark
Dear Ms. Clark:Marines always use : never the in correspondence or conversation. Marines never shortened Gunnery Sergeant toSergeant as they do with some ranks in other services. So, the USMC forms are:
-Envelope, social:
-Salutation:–Gunnery Sergeant and, Mrs.
For more options on writing a spouses name, follow the link at right Couples: US Military.
Robert Hickey
Robert Hickey author of Honor & Respect
How To Address A Sergeant
For a sergeant and spouse, seeCouples, Military
Sergeant, various types,USA, USMC & USAFThere are many types of Sergeant in the U.S. Armed Services.
-Use formula #1for:–US Army: Platoon Sergeant, Sergeant First Class, Staff Sergeant and Sergeant–US Air Force: Senior Master Sergeant, Master Sergeant, Technical Sergeant, Staff Sergeant and First Sergeant
-#1) Envelope or address block on an email:- , –
-Which looks like for a US Army Staff Sergeant:–Staff Sergeant Gene Winter, USA—
–US Army: First Sergeant, and Master Sergeant–US Marine Corps: Sergeant Major, First Sergeant, Master Sergeant, Gunnery Sergeant, Staff Sergeant, and Sergeant
–#2)Envelope or address block on an email:– ,
–First Sergeant Gene Winter, USMC—
-Which looks like:–First Sergeant Winter
NOTE: There is variation of use of vs. in a salutation or conversation within the U.S. Armed Services.-E.g. A First Sergeant, USA is addressed in a salutation as Dear First Sergeant :-A Sergeant First Class, USA is addressed in a salutation as simply Dear Sergeant :
I cover all the detail in my book, service by service. But its a bit too complicated and there are too many types of sergeants to get into it all here.
Robert Hickey
Robert Hickey author of Honor & Respect
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The One Who Lived To Smoke You
Look at this guy the wrong way, and be prepared to have sore muscles for a few days afterwards.
Although they were hardasses, if you got their approval, you knew you were doing it 100% right.
So, did you have just one of these, or some combination of the five?
Dont hesitate to reach out to your old Drill Instructors. Most are delighted to hear from their old trainees, and some people have even gone on to have lifelong friends in their Drill Sergeants.
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The One That Everyone Respects

Once you enter the infantry, youll begin to judge other Marines and sailors based purely on they the way they look. Theres tons of competition within infantry houses its our way of sizing up those we must outperform. However, there are a few senior-enlisted Marines whose appearances alone will tell you that theyre complete badasses.
Youll look up to these guys.
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The One Who Knows Every Freakin Regulation In The Book
An excellent first sergeant knows all the ins-and-outs their job which is hard. Some troops will try to pull a fast one on the Marine who controls all the administrative work for the entire infantry company. However, these types of first sergeants dont even have to bat an eye when it comes to Marine Corps policy.
They will rattle off nearly every regulation in the book if you try and test them.
Us Army Ranks And Insignias
Founded in 1775, the Army is the oldest branch in the U.S. Armed Forces.
U.S. Army ranks and insignias are divided into three categories: enlisted personnel , warrant officers and commissioned officers .
A service members rank and insignia indicate their pay grade, as well as the level of responsibility they hold.
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E8 Master Sergeant And First Sergeant
Often occupying similar roles, both Master and First Sergeants direct the multiple platoon Sergeants below them. They are, in many ways, really the ones in charge of their units, with their success and drive having a direct and unmistakable impact on the unit as a whole. First Sergeants are addressed in this manner, rather than the abbreviated “Sergeant” moniker acceptable at lower grades. Master Sergeants occupy the same E8 grade, but their duties tend to revolve around Battalion-level administrative and staff roles rather than direct troop command.
What Does A Command Sgt Major Do
The Command Sergeant Major is the senior enlisted advisor to the unit commander at the company, battalion, brigade, detachment, and higher levels. It is very similar to the job of an executive officer in the military. The major responsibilities of this position are to act as the commanders advisor on both enlisted and officer issues, assist the commander in the development of policies and practices for all enlisted members, help implement the commanders vision, and contribute to the development of the non-commissioned officers in their units..
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What Does Corporal Mean
As an adjective, the word corporal can refer to the human body. But as a noun, it refers to the military. Corporal can be defined as a noncommissioned officer ranking above a private first class in the U.S. Army or lance corporal in the Marines and below a sergeant. It can also refer to a similar rank in other countries armed services as well as a U.S. surface-to-surface, single-stage ballistic missile.
A corporal is a team leader of the smallest Army units. For example: Although she should be proud of her status as a corporal in the Army, she wont be happy until she is officially a sergeant.
Corporal was first recorded around 157080 and is derived from the Latin word corporlis .
What Does Major And Colonel Mean
A major is a commissioned military officer ranking next below a lieutenant colonel and next above a captain. They often lead brigades and task forces. The term major was first seen in 13501400.
A colonel is an officer in the U.S. Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps ranking between lieutenant colonel and brigadier general: corresponding to a captain in the U.S. Navy. That means a colonel is the second highest rank, just under our next rank below. Colonel is pronounced like kernel in case you were wondering. It was first recorded in 154050 and is from an Italian word meaning column by way of French.
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Is There A Command Sergeant Major In The Army
In the United States Army , the Command Sergeant Major is the highest rank in the enlisted personnel. In several other countries, the Command Sergeant Major is referred to as either Sergeant Major or Sergeant Major of the Army. In the British Army, Command Sergeant Major is called Sergeant Major. In the United States Marine Corps , the Command Sergeant Major is called Sergeant Major ..