Sergeant (
abbreviated to Sgt. and capitalized when used as a named person's title) is a
rank in many uniformed organizations, principally military and policing forces. The alternative spelling, ''serjeant'', is used in
The Rifles and other units that draw their heritage from the British
light infantry
Light infantry refers to certain types of lightly equipped infantry throughout history. They have a more mobile or fluid function than other types of infantry, such as heavy infantry or line infantry. Historically, light infantry often foug ...
. Its origin is the
Latin
Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic languages, Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through ...
, 'one who serves', through the French term .
The term ''sergeant'' refers to a
non-commissioned officer placed above the rank of a
corporal, and a
police officer
A police officer (also called a policeman and, less commonly, a policewoman) is a warranted law employee of a police force. In most countries, "police officer" is a generic term not specifying a particular rank. In some, the use of the ...
immediately below a
lieutenant
A lieutenant ( , ; abbreviated Lt., Lt, LT, Lieut and similar) is a commissioned officer rank in the armed forces of many nations.
The meaning of lieutenant differs in different militaries (see comparative military ranks), but it is often ...
in the US, and below an
inspector in the UK.
In most armies, the rank of sergeant corresponds to command of a
squad (or
section). In
Commonwealth armies, it is a more senior rank, corresponding roughly to a
platoon
A platoon is a military unit typically composed of two or more squads, sections, or patrols. Platoon organization varies depending on the country and the branch, but a platoon can be composed of 50 people, although specific platoons may rang ...
second-in-command. In the
United States Army
The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, ...
, sergeant is a more junior rank corresponding to a squad- (12 person) or platoon- (36 person) leader.
More senior non-commissioned ranks are often variations on sergeant, for example
staff sergeant,
gunnery sergeant,
master sergeant,
first sergeant, and
sergeant major.
In many nations and services, the rank insignia for a sergeant often features three chevrons.
History
In medieval European usage, a sergeant was simply any attendant or officer with a protective duty. Any medieval knight or military order of knighthood might have "sergeants-at-arms", meaning servants able to fight if needed. The etymology of the term is from
Anglo-French , "servant, valet, court official, soldier", from
Middle Latin "servant, vassal, soldier".
Later, a "soldier sergeant" was a man of what would now be thought of as the "middle class", fulfilling a slightly junior role to the knight in the medieval hierarchy. Sergeants could fight either as heavy cavalry, light cavalry, or as trained professional infantry; either spearmen or crossbowmen. Most notable medieval mercenaries fell into the "sergeant" class, such as
Flemish
Flemish (''Vlaams'') is a Low Franconian dialect cluster of the Dutch language. It is sometimes referred to as Flemish Dutch (), Belgian Dutch ( ), or Southern Dutch (). Flemish is native to Flanders, a historical region in northern Belgium; ...
crossbowmen and spearmen, who were seen as reliable quality troops. The sergeant class was deemed to be 'worth half of a knight' in military value.
A specific kind of military sergeant was the
serjeant-at-arms, one of a body of armed men retained by English lords and monarchs. The title is now given to an officer in modern legislative bodies who is charged with keeping order during meetings and, if necessary, forcibly removing disruptive members.
The term had also civilian applications quite distinct and different from the military sergeant, though sharing the etymological origin – for example the
serjeant-at-law, historically an important and prestigious order of English lawyers.
Types of sergeant
"Sergeant" is generally the lowest rank of sergeant, with individual military entities choosing some additional words to signify higher-ranking individuals. What terms are used, and what seniority they signify, is to a great extent dependent on the individual armed service. The term "sergeant" is also used in many appointment titles.
Ranks
*
Chief sergeant
*
Chief master sergeant
*
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force
*
Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force
*
Colour sergeant
*
Command sergeant major
*
Company sergeant
Company Sergeant (CS) (''Sáirsint Complachta'' in Irish) is a non-commissioned officer rank in the Irish Army equivalent to a First Sergeant in the United States Army and Warrant Officer Class 2 in the British Army.
The insignia of a Company ...
*
First sergeant
*
Second sergeant
*
Third sergeant
*
Flight sergeant
*
Gunnery sergeant
*
Master gunnery sergeant
*
Master sergeant
*
Senior master sergeant
*
Junior sergeant A junior sergeant is a military rank used in the armed forces of many countries. It is usually placed below sergeant.
Russia
Junior sergeant (russian: Младший сержант, Mladshy serzhant) is the designation to the lowest rank in the ...
*
Senior sergeant
*
Senior staff sergeant
Senior staff sergeant (abbreviation: SSS or SSSGT) is a non-commissioned rank in the Singapore Police Force and St. John Brigade Singapore.
Organisations
St. John Brigade Singapore
The rank of Senior staff sergeant (SSSGT) was implemented i ...
*
Sergeant first class
*
Sergeant major
*
Sergeant Major of the Army
*
Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps
*
Staff sergeant
*
Station sergeant
*
Technical sergeant
Appointments
*
Academy sergeant major
*
Band sergeant major
Band sergeant major (BSM)Note that in the British Army, the plural is "band sergeant majors" and not "band sergeants major". The earliest usage of "sergeant majors" in ''The Times'' is in 1822. The last of the (very occasional) usages of "serge ...
*
Company quartermaster sergeant
Company quartermaster sergeant is a military rank or appointment.
Canada
A company quartermaster sergeant (CQMS) in the Canadian Forces is the non-commissioned officer in a company who is in charge of supplies. The CQMS also serves as the deputy ...
*
Company sergeant major
*
Drill sergeant
*
Drum major
*
First sergeant
*
Garrison sergeant major
*
Master tailor
*
Petty officer
*
Pioneer sergeant
*
Pipe major
*
Platoon sergeant
*
Platoon sergeant major
*
Provost sergeant
*
Quartermaster sergeant instructor
*
Recruiting sergeant
A recruiting sergeant is a British or American soldier of the rank of sergeant who is tasked to enlist recruits. The term originated in the British army of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
The playwright George Farquhar served as an inf ...
*
Regimental quartermaster sergeant
Regimental quartermaster sergeant (RQMS) is a military rank in some militaries, and an appointment in others.
Irish Defence Forces
Battalion quartermaster sergeant (BQMS, ''ceathrúsháirsint cathláin'' in Irish) is a rank in the Irish Army a ...
*
Regimental sergeant major
Regimental sergeant major (RSM) is an appointment that may be held by warrant officers class 1 (WO1) in the British Army, the British Royal Marines and in the armies of many other Commonwealth and former Commonwealth nations, including Australi ...
*
Sergeant Airborne
*
Sergeant major instructor
*
Sergeant pilot
*
Serjeant-at-arms
*
Squadron quartermaster sergeant
Company quartermaster sergeant is a military rank or appointment.
Canada
A company quartermaster sergeant (CQMS) in the Canadian Forces is the non-commissioned officer in a company who is in charge of supplies. The CQMS also serves as the deputy ...
*
Squadron sergeant major
*
Staff sergeant major
*
Troop sergeant major
A troop sergeant major (TSM)Note that in the British Army, the plural is "troop sergeant majors" and not "troop sergeants major". The earliest usage of "sergeant majors" in '' The Times'' is in 1822. The last of the (very occasional) usages of " ...
Current adaptations
In most non-naval
military
A military, also known collectively as armed forces, is a heavily armed, highly organized force primarily intended for warfare. It is typically authorized and maintained by a sovereign state, with its members identifiable by their distinct ...
or
paramilitary organizations, the various grades of sergeant are
non-commissioned officers (NCOs) ranking above
privates and
corporals, and below
warrant officer
Warrant officer (WO) is a rank or category of ranks in the armed forces of many countries. Depending on the country, service, or historical context, warrant officers are sometimes classified as the most junior of the commissioned ranks, the mo ...
s and
commissioned officers. The responsibilities of a sergeant differ from army to army. There are usually several ranks of sergeant, each corresponding to greater experience and responsibility for the daily lives of the soldiers of larger units. In police forces, sergeants are usually team leaders in charge of an entire team of constables to senior constables at large stations, to being in charge of sectors involving several police stations. In country areas, sergeants are often in charge of an entire station and its
constabulary. Senior sergeants are usually in specialist areas and are in charge of sergeants and thus act as middle management.
Australia
Sergeant (Sgt) is a rank in both the
Australian Army
The Australian Army is the principal land warfare force of Australia, a part of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. The Army is commanded by the Chief of Army (CA), who ...
and the
Royal Australian Air Force
"Through Adversity to the Stars"
, colours =
, colours_label =
, march =
, mascot =
, anniversaries = RAAF Anniversary Commemoration ...
. The ranks are equivalent to each other and the
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is the principal naval force of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The professional head of the RAN is Chief of Navy (CN) Vice Admiral Mark Hammond AM, RAN. CN is also jointly responsible to the Minister o ...
rank of
petty officer.
Although the rank insignia of the RAAF rank of
flight sergeant (Flt Sgt) and the Australian Army rank of
staff sergeant (SSgt) are identical, flight sergeant in fact outranks the rank of staff sergeant in the classification of rank equivalencies. The Australian Army rank of staff sergeant is now redundant and is no longer awarded, due to being outside the rank equivalencies and the next promotional rank is warrant officer class two. Chief petty officers and flight sergeants are not required to call a warrant officer class two "sir" in accordance with Australian Defence Force Regulations 1952 (Regulation 8).
The rank of sergeant exists in all Australian police forces and is of higher ranking than a constable or senior constable, but lower than an
inspector.
The sergeant structure varies among state police forces, generally two sergeant ranks are commonly classed as non-commissioned officers:
* Sergeant (Sgt) (three chevrons); and
* Senior sergeant (Sen Sgt) (three chevrons, crown surmounted by a laurel leaf)
South Australia Police
South Australia Police (SAPOL) is the police force of the Australian States and territories of Australia, state of South Australia. SAPOL is an independent statutory agency of the Government of South Australia directed by the Commissioner of Po ...
has the additional rank of
brevet sergeant (two chevrons below an inverted arrow head) which is an authorization for a temporarily higher rank. A brevet sergeant is less senior than a sergeant.
New South Wales Police Force has the additional rank of incremental sergeant (three chevrons and a crown). This is an incremental progression, following an appointment as a sergeant for seven years. An incremental sergeant rank is less senior than a senior sergeant but is more senior than a sergeant.
Upon appointment as a sergeant or senior sergeant, the sergeant is given:
* A warrant of appointment under the commissioner's hand and seal.
* A navy blue backing (which replaces a light blue backing to the officer's police badge)
* A navy blue nameplate (which replaces a light blue nameplate)
* A silver chinstrap positioned above his peaked cap on his headdress, replacing a black chinstrap.
Within the
New South Wales Police Force, a sergeant is a team leader or supervisory rank, whilst the rank of senior sergeant is a middle management rank with coordination responsibilities over human and physical resources.
All three sergeant ranks are informally referred to as "sergeant", or "sarge". However, at the New South Wales Police Academy, recruits must address all ranks of sergeants as "sergeant", and senior sergeants as "senior sergeant".
Bangladesh
Army
Sergeant is a non-commissioned officer rank in the
Bangladesh Army, falling between
master sergeant and
corporal.
Airforce
Sergeant is a non-commissioned officer rank in the
Bangladesh Air Force
The Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) ( bn, বাংলাদেশ বিমান বাহিনী, Bangladesh Biman Bahini) is the aerial warfare branch of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. The Air Force is primarily responsible for air defence of ...
, falling between
warrant officer
Warrant officer (WO) is a rank or category of ranks in the armed forces of many countries. Depending on the country, service, or historical context, warrant officers are sometimes classified as the most junior of the commissioned ranks, the mo ...
and
corporal.
Police
Sergeant is a subordinate officer rank in the
Bangladesh Police
The Bangladesh Police ( bn, বাংলাদেশ পুলিশ) of the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a law enforcement agency, operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs. It plays a crucial role in maintaining peace, and enforcemen ...
, falling between assistant sub-inspector (ASI) and sub-inspector (SI).
Canada
Army and Air Force
Sergeant (Sgt) (french: sergent or ) is an
Army
An army (from Old French ''armee'', itself derived from the Latin verb ''armāre'', meaning "to arm", and related to the Latin noun ''arma'', meaning "arms" or "weapons"), ground force or land force is a fighting force that fights primarily on ...
or
Air Force
An air force – in the broadest sense – is the national military branch that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an ...
non-commissioned officer rank of the
Canadian Armed Forces
}
The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF; french: Forces armées canadiennes, ''FAC'') are the unified military forces of Canada, including sea, land, and air elements referred to as the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, and Royal Canadian Air Force.
...
. Its naval equivalent is
petty officer 2nd class (french: maître de 2e classe). It is senior to the appointment of
master corporal and its equivalent naval appointment,
master seaman, and junior to
warrant officer
Warrant officer (WO) is a rank or category of ranks in the armed forces of many countries. Depending on the country, service, or historical context, warrant officers are sometimes classified as the most junior of the commissioned ranks, the mo ...
and its naval equivalent,
petty officer 1st class
Petty officer first class (PO1) is a rank found in some navies and maritime organizations.
Canada
Petty officer, 1st class, PO1, is a Naval non-commissioned member rank of the Canadian Forces. It is senior to the rank of petty officer 2nd-clas ...
. Sergeants and petty officers 2nd class are the only
senior non-commissioned officers in the Canadian Armed Forces, as WOs, MWOs and CWOs are warrant officers, not senior NCOs in accordance with the Queens Regulations and Orders. Volume 1, Article 102 "Definitions".
In army units, sergeants usually serve as
section commanders; they may often be called to fill positions normally held by
warrant officer
Warrant officer (WO) is a rank or category of ranks in the armed forces of many countries. Depending on the country, service, or historical context, warrant officers are sometimes classified as the most junior of the commissioned ranks, the mo ...
s, such as
platoon
A platoon is a military unit typically composed of two or more squads, sections, or patrols. Platoon organization varies depending on the country and the branch, but a platoon can be composed of 50 people, although specific platoons may rang ...
or
troop
A troop is a military sub-subunit, originally a small formation of cavalry, subordinate to a squadron. In many armies a troop is the equivalent element to the infantry section or platoon. Exceptions are the US Cavalry and the King's Tr ...
warrant,
company quartermaster sergeant
Company quartermaster sergeant is a military rank or appointment.
Canada
A company quartermaster sergeant (CQMS) in the Canadian Forces is the non-commissioned officer in a company who is in charge of supplies. The CQMS also serves as the deputy ...
,
chief clerk, etc.
The rank insignia of a sergeant is a three-bar chevron, worn point down, surmounted by a maple leaf. Embroidered rank badges are worn in "CF gold" thread on rifle green Melton, stitched to the upper sleeves of the service dress jacket; as miniature gold metal and rifle-green enamel badges on the collars of the army dress shirt and army outerwear jackets; in "old-gold" thread on air force blue
slip-ins on air force shirts, sweaters, and coats; and in a tan thread on
CADPAT slip-ins (army) or dark blue thread on olive-drab slip-ins (air force) on the
operational dress uniform.
Colour sergeant in the Canadian Armed Forces is not a rank of sergeant, but a warrant officer in one of the two
Foot Guards regiments (the
Governor General's Foot Guards
The Governor General's Foot Guards (GGFG) is the senior reserve infantry regiment in the Canadian Army. Located in Ottawa at the Cartier Square Drill Hall, the regiment is a Primary Reserve infantry unit, and the members are part-time soldiers. ...
and the
Canadian Grenadier Guards). Likewise, a
sergeant-major (including
regimental sergeant-major) is not a sergeant rank, but an appointment held by a
master warrant officer or
chief warrant officer.
Sergeants generally mess and billet with warrant officers, master warrant officers, and chief warrant officers, and their naval counterparts,
chief petty officer
A chief petty officer (CPO) is a senior non-commissioned officer in many navies and coast guards.
Canada
"Chief petty officer" refers to two ranks in the Royal Canadian Navy. A chief petty officer 2nd class (CPO2) (''premier maître de deuxiè ...
s and
petty officers. Their mess on military bases or installations is generally named the warrant officers' and sergeants' mess.
Historically, the rank of sergeant was severely downgraded after
unification of the three services in 1968. An army sergeant before unification was generally employed in supervisory positions, such as the second in command of a platoon-sized unit (i.e. an infantry platoon sergeant, or troop sergeant in an armoured unit). After unification, sergeants were downgraded in status to section commander, a job previously held by
corporals, and the former "platoon/troop sergeants" were replaced by "platoon/troop warrant officers".
Police
Police forces across Canada also use the rank of sergeant and staff sergeant for senior non-commissioned officers above the rank of constable or corporal. Except in the
province of Quebec
Quebec ( ; )According to the Canadian government, ''Québec'' (with the acute accent) is the official name in Canadian French and ''Quebec'' (without the accent) is the province's official name in Canadian English is one of the thirteen ...
and in the
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP; french: Gendarmerie royale du Canada; french: GRC, label=none), commonly known in English as the Mounties (and colloquially in French as ) is the federal and national police service of Canada. As poli ...
, the insignia for a police sergeant is three chevrons, worn point down. Staff sergeants rank above sergeants and are responsible for a unit or team within a station or division. The insignia for a staff sergeant is three chevrons, worn point down surmounted by a royal crown. In the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the insignia for a sergeant is three chevrons, worn point down surmounted by a royal crown (which is the insignia of a staff sergeant in other Canadian police forces). The insignia of a staff sergeant in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is four chevrons worn point up.
Denmark
In the
Danish Defence, sergeants are typically squad (6-12 soldiers) or section commanders. The sergeants in the Danish forces also act as drill sergeants and platoon instructors, training both new soldiers in basic training, as well as professional soldiers. Sergeants with 1–2 years in the rank, who are in basic training units, are often second-in-command of the platoon.
In professional units, the role of second-in-command in the platoon is sometimes given to a very experienced sergeant, but in most cases will be a
Senior sergeant ( da, Oversergent), the rank above sergeant.
Sergeants in the Danish military are instructors in military drill, weapons, field-craft, small unit tactics, and physical training.
Finland
Army
(
Finnish language
Finnish ( endonym: or ) is a Uralic language of the Finnic branch, spoken by the majority of the population in Finland and by ethnic Finns outside of Finland. Finnish is one of the two official languages of Finland (the other being Swedi ...
abrv. kers.) or ''Sergeant'' (
swedish language
Swedish ( ) is a North Germanic language spoken predominantly in Sweden and in parts of Finland. It has at least 10 million native speakers, the fourth most spoken Germanic language and the first among any other of its type in the Nordic cou ...
abrv. Serg) is in
Finnish Defence Forces
The Finnish Defence Forces ( fi, Puolustusvoimat, sv, Försvarsmakten) are the military of Finland. The Finnish Defence Forces consist of the Finnish Army, the Finnish Navy and the Finnish Air Force. In wartime the Finnish Border Guard (whic ...
the second and highest non-commissioned officer rank that a conscript who has completed the junior NCO course ( in Finnish) can reach before entering the reserve. The lowest and most common non-commissioned officer rank is (lit. "lower sergeant"); see
corporal.
Only a few non-commissioned officers in each conscript company reach the higher rank of full three-chevron . There's no difference between the 4-month squad leader training and service time of and ; all start their squad leader tour with the lower rank and the optional promotion is based on the superior's assessment of individual performance and intended duties in the wartime organization; special roles such as that of platoon sergeant or company first sergeant are typically reserved for and upwards.
A corporal can also obtain the rank of sergeant (and possibly above, the next rank being four-chevron , which is comparable to staff sergeant) by taking some military refresher courses while in reserve, or by enlisting to (short-term) professional service in the military.
France
Army
French sergeant ranks are used by the air force, engineers, infantry,
Foreign Legion, , communications, administrative service, and . Other branches of the army and use the equivalent ranks of ("marshal of lodgings" in English) instead of sergeant ranks.
There were three sergeant ranks in France, although the most junior, contract sergeant, has been superseded by student sub-officer now that conscription has been suspended. When the army contained a large proportion of conscripts, contract sergeant was very common as a rank for conscripts considered to have leadership potential. In general the term was used for both contract sergeant and career sergeant. Contract sergeant was classified as the lowest sub-officer rank, the rank below being chief corporal.
* Student sub-officer, (formerly "contract sergeant", ): One chevron, gold or silver.
"Contract sergeant" was a rank used for junior sergeants, either conscripts or reservists. The rank insignia is used nowadays for students. After a certain amount of time, a student sub-officer is entitled to be addressed "sergeant".
* Sergeant, (formerly "career sergeant", ): Two chevrons.
Normal sergeant rank, though normally directly recruited from civilian life into the sub-officer ranks, so the rank implies less experience and higher academic requirements than for a commonwealth sergeant. As a typical rank for the command of a squad (typically eight soldiers), a tank, or a gun, this rank is roughly equivalent to a commonwealth corporal, a US Army staff sergeant, or a US Marine Corps sergeant.
* Principal sergeant, : Three chevrons.
With long service, a sergeant's promotion to chief sergeant is automatic. Typically being a platoon second-in-command, the holder of this rank is therefore equivalent to a commonwealth sergeant or a US "
sergeant first class". The next rank up is
adjutant.
Germany
Army/Air Force
In modern-day usage within the German the rank of sergeant is known as , historically it was the German army rank of corporal.
The rank has existed since the 18th century, with usage as a title dating back to the
Middle Ages
In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire ...
. The ranks of the (NCOs) are divided into two categories, the making up the cadre of junior non-commissioned officers and the making up the cadre of senior non-commissioned officers. The duties of a sergeant can vary greatly with its rank: In a typical
company
A company, abbreviated as co., is a legal entity representing an association of people, whether natural, legal or a mixture of both, with a specific objective. Company members share a common purpose and unite to achieve specific, declared ...
, the (OR-5) are only leading one (
squad) whereas the position of (
platoon leader) are held by a higher ranked NCOs (typically OR-7) with according training. The platoon's "second in command", is usually held by a "Feldwebel / Oberfeldwebel" (OR-6).
The German Army rank order is: OR-5, OR-5, OR-5, OR-6, OR-6, OR-6, OR-7, OR-7, OR-8 and OR-9.
Navy
is a naval rank of the German navy equivalent to the army rank of . A is considered the equivalent of a junior petty officer in the navies of many other nations.
The term is derived from the low German (comrade). Via the Dutch language, the word became a nautical term and described the assistant to a deck officer. Since the second half of the 17th century were the lowest class of non-commissioned officers aboard a warship.
The German Navy rank order is: OR-5, OR-5, OR-5, OR-6, OR-6, OR-6, OR-7, OR-7, OR-8 and OR-9.
Hong Kong
Army and air force
During British rule, the rank of sergeant was held by members of the
RAF (
flight sergeant or sergeant (air crew)) or
British Army
The British Army is the principal land warfare force of the United Kingdom, a part of the British Armed Forces along with the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. , the British Army comprises 79,380 regular full-time personnel, 4,090 Gurkha ...
serving in
Hong Kong
Hong Kong ( (US) or (UK); , ), officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (abbr. Hong Kong SAR or HKSAR), is a List of cities in China, city and Special administrative regions of China, special ...
.
The rank was held by local enlisted men with the
Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers)
The Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers) (RHKR(V)) ()), formed in May 1854, was a local auxiliary militia force funded and administered by the colonial Government of Hong Kong. Its powers and duties were mandated by the Royal Hong Kong R ...
and Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers) Regimental Police.
Police
Hong Kong Police Force sergeants are in charge of a section or command a vehicle on patrol. Their rank is symbolized by three chevrons and worn on their arm and/or lapel. The rank is also used by the
Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force (station sergeant (auxiliary) and sergeant (auxiliary)). There also sergeants in the
Hong Kong Police Force Pipe Band, who carry their rank from their regular policing duties.
Others
Two other non-military organizations use the ranks of sergeant:
*
Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps
** Sergeant instructor
** Cadet sergeant
*
Hong Kong Adventure Corps
The Hong Kong Adventure Corps is a voluntary uniformed group subsidised by the Hong Kong government and the Hong Kong Jockey Club. It was created in 1995 with ties to the British Army's Army Cadet Force and Combined Cadet Force. Like the Hong K ...
** Staff sergeant
** Sergeant
** Cadet staff sergeant
** Cadet sergeant
Indonesia
In the Indonesian
military
A military, also known collectively as armed forces, is a heavily armed, highly organized force primarily intended for warfare. It is typically authorized and maintained by a sovereign state, with its members identifiable by their distinct ...
and maritime security agency, the rank "sergeant" is known as . There are four levels, which are: sergeant (), staff sergeant (), master sergeant (), and sergeant major ().
India and Pakistan
Police
In many metropolitan police forces in both India and Pakistan, a sergeant (called armed sub-inspectors in some states) is equivalent to a police sub-inspector. They are subordinate to police inspectors in rank but are senior to assistant sub-inspectors, head constables, ''naiks'' (corporals) and police constables in Indian police forces. In British-India days, the practice began of transferring British Army NCOs to Indian constabularies to teach them foot and rifle drill and weapons handling (called "musketry") and to maintain disciplinary standards. This is the historical origin of the rank of sergeant in the forces of today's Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata (their equivalents in state forces are called armed sub-inspectors). Sergeants have always served in the non-investigative branches of the 'protective police'
.g., armed and mounted branches; port, river, and traffic police, reserve forces, etc.and one per police station. Their use is focused more upon security and public order situations than investigating routine domestic, commercial, and street crime which is the purview of the investigative branches of the 'detective police' where their counterparts are called sub-inspectors. Head constables (not to be confused with sergeants) wear three chevrons (rank insignia) point-down on their sleeve or three bars on their epaulettes.
Army
In the
British Indian Army
The British Indian Army, commonly referred to as the Indian Army, was the main military of the British Raj before its dissolution in 1947. It was responsible for the defence of the British Indian Empire, including the princely states, which cou ...
, the equivalent rank to sergeant was ''
daffadar
Daffadar ( Hindustani: दफ़ादार ( Devanagari) ; ( Nastaliq)) is the equivalent rank to sergeant in the Indian and Pakistani cavalry, as it was formerly in the British Indian Army. The rank below is lance daffadar. The equivalent in ...
'' in cavalry regiments and ''
havaldar'' in other units. These ranks are still used in the armies of
India
India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area, the List of countries and dependencies by population, second-most populous ...
and
Pakistan
Pakistan ( ur, ), officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan ( ur, , label=none), is a country in South Asia. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by population, fifth-most populous country, with a population of almost 24 ...
.
Air Force
In the
Indian Air Force
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is the air force, air arm of the Indian Armed Forces. Its complement of personnel and aircraft assets ranks third amongst the air forces of the world. Its primary mission is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct ...
and the
Pakistan Air Force
, "Be it deserts or seas; all lie under our wings" (traditional)
, colours =
, colours_label =
, march =
, mascot =
, anniversaries = ...
, the rank of sergeant is above a
corporal and below of junior warrant officer. The rank insignia is a three-pointed-down chevron. The rank of flight sergeant is now obsolete with the renomination given as
junior warrant officer
Junior or Juniors may refer to:
Arts and entertainment Music
* ''Junior'' (Junior Mance album), 1959
* ''Junior'' (Röyksopp album), 2009
* ''Junior'' (Kaki King album), 2010
* ''Junior'' (LaFontaines album), 2019
Films
* ''Junior'' (1994 ...
.
The rank of a sergeant is designated as a
senior non-commissioned officer.
Ireland
Army
Sergeant (Sgt) ( in
Gaelic
Gaelic is an adjective that means "pertaining to the Gaels". As a noun it refers to the group of languages spoken by the Gaels, or to any one of the languages individually. Gaelic languages are spoken in Ireland, Scotland, the Isle of Man, an ...
) is the second rank of non-commissioned officer within the
Irish Army. The
naval equivalent is
petty officer.
The army rank insignia consists of three winged chevrons (or "stripes"). The service dress insignia consists of three wavy red chevrons 9 cm wide bordered in yellow. The main infantry role of a sergeant is as second-in-command of a
platoon
A platoon is a military unit typically composed of two or more squads, sections, or patrols. Platoon organization varies depending on the country and the branch, but a platoon can be composed of 50 people, although specific platoons may rang ...
or commander of a fire support section of a weapons platoon, such as an anti-tank or mortar platoon. Another role is that of company clerk and instructor. There are higher ranks of company sergeant and company quartermaster sergeant. Artillery sergeants are usually assigned as detachment and section commanders, as well as in administrative roles. The difference in roles of sergeant and corporal in the artillery corps is not as clearly defined as in the infantry corps.
Sergeant is also the second rank of non-commissioned officer in the
Irish Air Corps. Before 1994, the Air Corps was considered part of the army and wore army uniforms with distinct
corps badges, but the same rank insignia. With the introduction of a unique Air Corps blue uniform in 1994, the same rank markings in a white colour were worn, before the introduction of a new three-chevron with wing rank marking. There are higher ranks of
flight sergeant and flight quartermaster sergeant.
Police
Sergeant is the second rank in the , above and below inspector.
Sergeants appointed as detectives use the rank title detective sergeant (DS). They do not outrank regular sergeants, the 'detective' prefix indicates that they are permanently allocated to detective duties.
Israel
Defense forces
In the
Israel Defense Forces, soldiers are promoted from corporal to sergeant after approximately 18 months of service (16 for combatants), if they performed their duties appropriately during this time, and did not have disciplinary problems. Soldiers who take a commander's course may become sergeants earlier. Sergeants get a symbolic pay raise of 1.80
NIS.
The Hebrew name for the rank is originated as an acronym for ("supernumerary lieutenant") (inspired by the abbreviation
"NCO"). Nowadays is no longer treated as an acronym or an abbreviation .
Police
In the Israeli Police, sergeant is the third rank, coming after
constable
A constable is a person holding a particular office, most commonly in criminal law enforcement. The office of constable can vary significantly in different jurisdictions. A constable is commonly the rank of an officer within the police. Other peop ...
and
corporal. Officers are promoted to this rank after a year as a corporal, or after 20 months of service in total. Excelling officers may be promoted to this rank (or any other rank) in up to 6 months instead of a year.
Italy
Army
In the
Italian Army
"The safeguard of the republic shall be the supreme law"
, colors =
, colors_labels =
, march = ''Parata d'Eroi'' ("Heroes's parade") by Francesco Pellegrino, ''4 Maggio'' (May 4) ...
, the rank of , ("sergeant") is the first rank of the warrant officers sergeant role, equivalent to NATO OR-5 grade. The two next senior ranks are (literally "major sergeant") and (literally "chief major sergeant"). For paratroopers, the ranks of and are bordered in blue.
Mexico
Army
In the Mexican Army, the corporal is junior to (second sergeant) and (first sergeant).
Netherlands
:See ''
Military ranks of the Dutch armed forces
The Military ranks of the Netherlands armed forces are the military insignia used by the armed forces of the Netherlands.
Royal Netherlands Army Current ranks
;Officer ranks
;Enlisted ranks
The Dutch titles for privates are:
Timeline of rank ...
''
The
Royal Netherlands Army,
Royal Netherlands Navy and
Royal Netherlands Air Force all use the rank of sergeant. Within the cavalry, artillery and in the
Royal Marechaussee a sergeant is called a "" Within the air force and navy a sergeant is identified by three chevrons. In the army, a sergeant has one gold chevron (or silver if a in the cavalry or the Royal Marechaussee or a sergeant in the Military Administration).
New Zealand
Only the
Royal New Zealand Air Force and
New Zealand Army use sergeant as a rank, identifiable by the three chevrons. The
Royal New Zealand Navy has the equivalent rank of
petty officer. Promotion to sergeant in the
New Zealand Defence Force
The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF; mi, Te Ope Kātua o Aotearoa, "Line of Defence of New Zealand") are the armed forces of New Zealand. The NZDF is responsible for the protection of the national security of New Zealand and her realm, prom ...
is usually around nine to ten years service and commands considerable responsibility and an increase in pay.
Philippines
The rank of sergeant ( es, sargento; tl, sarhento) existed and was used by the
Philippine Revolutionary Army
The Philippine Revolutionary Army, later renamed Philippine Republican Army (Spanish: ''Ejército Revolucionario Filipino''; Tagalog: ''Panghimagsikang Hukbong Katihan ng Pilipinas''), was the official armed forces of the First Philippine Repu ...
during the
Philippine Revolution and
Philippine–American War
The Philippine–American War or Filipino–American War ( es, Guerra filipina-estadounidense, tl, Digmaang Pilipino–Amerikano), previously referred to as the Philippine Insurrection or the Tagalog Insurgency by the United States, was an arm ...
. The badge of rank was two chevrons sewn onto the
Rayadillo
Rayadillo was a blue-and-white striped cotton or flannel material used to make the military uniforms worn by Spanish colonial soldiers from the mid 19th century until the early 20th century. It was commonly worn by soldiers posted in overseas Sp ...
sleeve.
The ranks of sergeant, staff sergeant, master sergeant, and chief master sergeant are today used in the
Philippine Army,
Philippine Marine Corps and
Philippine Air Force. Rank insignia is very similar to that used in the United States. First chief master sergeant is an appointment rather than a rank and is somewhat equivalent to a sergeant major in the United States. The rank stands below
staff sergeant and above
corporal.
Poland
Army
In the
Polish Army rank insignia system there are two grades of sergeant: (OR-6 in NATO code) and (OR-7). The rank first appeared in
Henryk Dąbrowski's
Polish Legions in Italy in the late 18th century. Both ranks are used in the infantry, armoured forces, air force. In the cavalry the equivalent is (literally
wachtmeister). In the artillery the equivalent is (literally
firemaster
Chief fire officer (CFO), formerly often just chief officer, is the highest rank in the fire and rescue services of the United Kingdom. There are currently 50 chief fire officers serving in the United Kingdom in charge of the local authority fire ...
). In the
Polish Navy, the equivalent is (literally
boatswain
A boatswain ( , ), bo's'n, bos'n, or bosun, also known as a deck boss, or a qualified member of the deck department, is the most senior rate of the deck department and is responsible for the components of a ship's hull. The boatswain supervis ...
).
Russia
Armed Forces
Within the
Russian Armed Forces, there are three ranks which are explicitly sergeant ranks:
junior sergeant A junior sergeant is a military rank used in the armed forces of many countries. It is usually placed below sergeant.
Russia
Junior sergeant (russian: Младший сержант, Mladshy serzhant) is the designation to the lowest rank in the ...
(, ), sergeant (, ) and
senior sergeant (, ). There is also a rank called "" (), which is often translated as "master sergeant". These ranks are inherited from the
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union,. officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. (USSR),. was a transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 to 1991. A flagship communist state, it was nominally a federal union of fifteen nationa ...
.
In the Soviet army, most sergeants (with the exception of the aforementioned ) were not career non-commissioned officers but specially trained conscripts; the rank of was reserved for career non-commissioned officers. In the modern Russian army, there are attempts to change this system and make most or all sergeants career non-commissioned officers; they are met with limited success.
Police
Unlike most police forces of the world, in the
Russian police
The Police of Russia () is the national law-enforcement agency in Russia, operating under the Ministry of Internal Affairs from . It was established by decree from Peter the Great and in 2011, replacing the Militsiya, the former police serv ...
sergeant is a starting, entry-level rank. Ranks of "policeman" or "senior policeman" are not used in Russia (the rank of "
private
Private or privates may refer to:
Music
* " In Private", by Dusty Springfield from the 1990 album ''Reputation''
* Private (band), a Denmark-based band
* "Private" (Ryōko Hirosue song), from the 1999 album ''Private'', written and also recorde ...
of police" technically exists but is rare, and most recruits become sergeants right away). It is divided into three grades the same way as the army sergeant rank.
Singapore
Singapore Armed Forces
In the
Singapore Armed Forces
The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) are the military services of the Republic of Singapore, responsible for protecting and defending the security interests and the sovereignty of the country. A military component of the Ministry of Defence (MINDE ...
(SAF), there are five different grades of sergeant:
third sergeant (3SG),
second sergeant (2SG),
first sergeant (1SG),
staff sergeant (SSG), and
master sergeant (MSG). Sergeants are considered
specialists in the SAF. They are equivalent to the non-commissioned officers of other militaries.
Soldiers must complete their specialist course at the
Specialist Cadet School, formerly known as the
School of Infantry Specialists (SISPEC) or other training institutes before being promoted to third sergeant. While active duty
national servicemen may be promoted to second sergeant, most personnel holding ranks above that are career soldiers.
Promotion from third sergeant to staff sergeant takes an average of 6 years, although there are many factors that may cause a soldier's promotion to cease. These factors include failure to pass an annual physical fitness proficiency test, poor performance, or being charged for offences.
Third sergeants are usually
section commanders. They may also hold certain logistics or administrative posts such as
company quartermaster sergeant
Company quartermaster sergeant is a military rank or appointment.
Canada
A company quartermaster sergeant (CQMS) in the Canadian Forces is the non-commissioned officer in a company who is in charge of supplies. The CQMS also serves as the deputy ...
. Second sergeants usually serve as
platoon sergeants. First sergeants, staff sergeants and master sergeants usually serve as
company sergeant majors or administrative specialists at
company
A company, abbreviated as co., is a legal entity representing an association of people, whether natural, legal or a mixture of both, with a specific objective. Company members share a common purpose and unite to achieve specific, declared ...
level or higher.
Home Team
In the
Singapore Police Force,
Singapore Civil Defence Force,
Singapore Prison Service and
Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, the rank of sergeant lies between corporal and staff sergeant. Unlike most police forces in the world, the rank of sergeant has been changed since the late 1990s to an entry-level rank for Diploma/GCE "A" Level holders rather than a supervisory one.
Uniformed Youth Organisations
In the
National Cadet Corps (NCC), the rank of third sergeant is below second sergeant, and above corporal. In the
National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) and the
National Civil Defence Cadet Corps
The National Civil Defence Cadet Corps (NCDCC) of Singapore was formed in 2005 and is currently the newest recognised member of the National Uniformed Group. The creation of this Uniformed Group was initiated by the Ministry of Home Affairs in ...
(NCDCC), the rank of sergeant is below staff sergeant, and above corporal. The rank of third sergeant and sergeant is held by cadets who have been appointed as
non-commissioned officers by their units and thus have the power to command a squad.
NPCC and NCDCC sergeants wear a rank insignia of three pointed-down chevrons, with the letters 'NPCC' and 'NCDCC' located below the insignia, so as to differentiate NPCC and NCDCC
cadets from
Singapore Police Force and
Singapore Civil Defence Force personnel respectively.
NCC third sergeants, second sergeants and first sergeants wear a rank insignia of three pointed-down chevrons, three pointed-down chevrons with one pointed-up chevron and three pointed-down chevrons with two pointed up-chevrons respectively, all with the letters 'NCC' located below the insignia, so as to differentiate NCC cadets from
Singapore Armed Forces
The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) are the military services of the Republic of Singapore, responsible for protecting and defending the security interests and the sovereignty of the country. A military component of the Ministry of Defence (MINDE ...
personnel.
In the
St John Brigade (SJB), the rank of sergeant is above corporal and below staff sergeant. It is usually held by a non-commissioned officer.
Sri Lanka
Army
Sergeant is used as a rank in the
Sri Lanka Army. It is senior to corporal and junior to staff sergeant. It is denoted by three chevrons.
Air Force
Sergeant is also used as a rank in the
Sri Lanka Air Force
The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) ( si, ශ්රි ලංකා ගුවන් හමුදාව, Śrī Laṃkā guwan hamudāva; ta, இலங்கை விமானப்படை, Ilaṅkai vimāṉappaṭai) is the air arm and the yo ...
. It is senior to corporal and junior to flight sergeant. It is denoted by three chevrons.
Police
The rank of sergeant exists in the
Sri Lanka Police Service. It is senior to constable but junior to
sub-inspector
Sub-inspector (SI), or sub-inspector of police, is a rank used extensively in South Asia: in the police forces of Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka, which is primarily based on the British model. It was formerly used in most British col ...
.
* Police sergeant class 1 (PS)
* Police sergeant class 2 (PS)
South Korea
South Korean armed forces share the same rank system to each other's (Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine). So here we only note the army.
In the
Republic of Korea Armed Forces
The Republic of Korea Armed Forces (), also known as the ROK Armed Forces, are the armed forces of South Korea. The ROK Armed Forces is one of the largest and most powerful standing armed forces in the world with a reported personnel strength o ...
, the term 'sergeant' is often matched to the rank of ( ko, 병장; ''lit.'' "chief soldier"). As suggested in the Korean name, is not a non-commissioned officer rank like in the U.S. Army; instead, it is the highest enlisted rank below non-commissioned officers. The rank insignia for is four horizontal bars, which also indicates that the rank is not an NCO rank, but a senior
private
Private or privates may refer to:
Music
* " In Private", by Dusty Springfield from the 1990 album ''Reputation''
* Private (band), a Denmark-based band
* "Private" (Ryōko Hirosue song), from the 1999 album ''Private'', written and also recorde ...
rank. As of 2018, if a
conscripted soldier doesn't opt for further service in the Armed Forces and has no reason for disqualification, his last rank before the discharge is . In case of the Army, may be given the responsibility of a 7–8 men squad if not ( ko, 하사) (a rank right above , equivalent to
staff sergeant of U.S. Army and the lowest NCO rank) is appointed in that position, but still not treated as an NCO in any occasion.
The ranks above are the true
non-commissioned officer ranks: ( ko, 하사), ( ko, 중사), ( ko, 상사), and ( ko, 원사). They are usually matched and translated into the U.S. Army's ranks from staff sergeant (E–6) to sergeant major (E–9), but that doesn't mean that those ranks are true equivalents in the roles and how they are treated in the Armed Forces. Most notably, if a person decides to start his/her military career as a non-commissioned officer, (staff sergeant) is the first rank given, and it's also the last rank before the discharge if he or she opts for discharge after finishing the mandatory service years, or fails to qualify for 'long-term service.' Instead of the horizontal bars of non-NCO enlisted ranks, they use chevrons as their rank insignia.
Spain
In the
Spanish military the enlisted ranks of and the more senior are junior to the and senior to the ranks of (corporal).
Taiwan
Sergeant () of the
Taiwanese military ranks above staff sergeant and below master sergeant third class,
making it different from the armed forces of other countries where sergeant ranks lower than staff sergeant. The rank of sergeant exists in the
Army
An army (from Old French ''armee'', itself derived from the Latin verb ''armāre'', meaning "to arm", and related to the Latin noun ''arma'', meaning "arms" or "weapons"), ground force or land force is a fighting force that fights primarily on ...
,
Air Force
An air force – in the broadest sense – is the national military branch that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an ...
and the
Marine Corps, and is equivalent to the petty officer first class in the
Navy
A navy, naval force, or maritime force is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake-borne, riverine, littoral, or ocean-borne combat operations and related functions. It in ...
.
Sweden
Army
In Sweden, is the most junior specialist officers rank above (a squad leader at skill level C (advanced)) and below . The Swedish rank system comprises two different types of officers, "specialist officers" (in other countries categorized as NCO:s) and "tactical officers". Though marked as OR 6 to OR 9, the Swedish rank system is that of a parallel system, and both officer categories mentioned above are recognized as officers according to the stipulations of commission, given by Swedish parliament. The rank of (OR 7) is superior to that of a second lieutenant (OF1). An individual officer can transition during a career between serving as a tactical officer or specialist officer, depending on what kind of role the officer are serving in and if one meets the qualifications to transfer. Specialist Officers ranking from OR7 to OR9 can be found in the same tactical and strategical levels as tactical officers, for example in staff positions on brigade and higher tactical levels, as advanced and skilled specialist or staff section commanders.
The creation of the specialist officers corps in 2008, meant that many former officers from OR 1b to OR 3 where commissioned to the ranks of OR 7 - OR 9.
From 1983 to 2008 there was only one professional officers corps within the Swedish armed forces (OF 1 to OF 9). All OR-ranks where hold by conscripts.
Historically, the role of the specialist officer, until 1972 categorised as "underofficer" in Sweden is reminiscent of that of a senior non-commissioned officer in Germany (), hence there was a third stipulated "corps" of junior commanding ranks, that of the , in direct translation "sub commanders" or "junior leader ranks", comprising the equivalents to the ranks of corporal (OR 4), (OR5) and (OR5b). This former "corps" (until 1983) was much like that of the senior ranks within the different German-speaking armed forces. These ranks are today held by long serving and skilled professional or reservist soldiers, but are distinctly not specialist officers ranks.
In order to be appointed sergeant (until 2019 "first sergeant") in today's Swedish armed forces, it is required that the candidate have completed specialist officer training (1.5years).
United Kingdom
Royal Marines and British Army
A sergeant in the
Royal Marines and
British Army
The British Army is the principal land warfare force of the United Kingdom, a part of the British Armed Forces along with the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. , the British Army comprises 79,380 regular full-time personnel, 4,090 Gurkha ...
wears three-point-down
chevron
Chevron (often relating to V-shaped patterns) may refer to:
Science and technology
* Chevron (aerospace), sawtooth patterns on some jet engines
* Chevron (anatomy), a bone
* '' Eulithis testata'', a moth
* Chevron (geology), a fold in rock la ...
s on their sleeve and usually serves as a
platoon
A platoon is a military unit typically composed of two or more squads, sections, or patrols. Platoon organization varies depending on the country and the branch, but a platoon can be composed of 50 people, although specific platoons may rang ...
or
troop
A troop is a military sub-subunit, originally a small formation of cavalry, subordinate to a squadron. In many armies a troop is the equivalent element to the infantry section or platoon. Exceptions are the US Cavalry and the King's Tr ...
sergeant, or in a specialist position.
Staff sergeant (in technical units) or
colour sergeant (in the
Royal Marines and the
infantry
Infantry is a military specialization which engages in ground combat on foot. Infantry generally consists of light infantry, mountain infantry, motorized infantry & mechanized infantry, airborne infantry, air assault infantry, and mar ...
), is the next most senior rank, above which come warrant officers. The
Household Cavalry use the rank of
corporal of horse instead, the only regiments to preserve the old
cavalry
Historically, cavalry (from the French word ''cavalerie'', itself derived from "cheval" meaning "horse") are soldiers or warriors who fight mounted on horseback. Cavalry were the most mobile of the combat arms, operating as light cavalry in ...
tradition of having corporals but not sergeants.
A
lance-sergeant
Lance sergeant (LSgt or L/Sgt) is an appointment in the armies of the Commonwealth and formerly also a rank in the United States Army.
Commonwealth
Lance-sergeant in the armies of the Commonwealth was an appointment given to a corporal so they c ...
(LSgt) was formerly a corporal acting in the capacity of a sergeant. The appointment now survives only in the
Foot Guards and
Honourable Artillery Company, where it is awarded to all
corporals. A lance-sergeant wears three chevrons and belongs to the
sergeants' mess, however, functionally he remains a corporal rather than an acting sergeant (e.g., he will typically command a
section). In the Household Cavalry, the equivalent appointment is
lance-corporal of horse.
A sergeant in infantry regiments usually holds the appointment of "
platoon sergeant" and is second in command of a
platoon
A platoon is a military unit typically composed of two or more squads, sections, or patrols. Platoon organization varies depending on the country and the branch, but a platoon can be composed of 50 people, although specific platoons may rang ...
. In the Royal Marines a sergeant is sometimes the commander of a platoon-sized Close Combat Rifle Troop.
Royal Air Force
The
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the United Kingdom's air and space force. It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by regrouping the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) an ...
also has the rank of sergeant, wearing the same three chevrons. The rank lies between corporal and
flight sergeant (or
chief technician for technicians and musicians).
Between 1950 and 1964 in technical trades there was a rank of senior technician which was the equivalent of a sergeant. Senior technicians wore their chevrons point up.
On 1 July 1946,
aircrew
Aircrew, also called flight crew, are personnel who operate an aircraft while in flight. The composition of a flight's crew depends on the type of aircraft, plus the flight's duration and purpose.
Commercial aviation
Flight deck positions ...
sergeants were re-designated as aircrew IV, III or II, replacing the chevrons with one, two or three six-pointed stars within a wreath and surmounted by an eagle. This was unpopular and in 1950 they returned to the old rank, but have worn an eagle above their chevrons ever since.
Sergeants of the
Royal Flying Corps wore a four-bladed propeller above their chevrons.
The spelling "serjeant" was never used in the Royal Air Force.
Police
Within the
British police
Law enforcement in the United Kingdom is organised separately in each of the legal systems of the United Kingdom: England and Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. Most law enforcement is carried out by police officers serving in regional po ...
, sergeant is the first supervisory
rank. Sergeant is senior to the rank of
constable
A constable is a person holding a particular office, most commonly in criminal law enforcement. The office of constable can vary significantly in different jurisdictions. A constable is commonly the rank of an officer within the police. Other peop ...
, and junior to
inspector. The rank is mostly operational, meaning that sergeants are directly concerned with day-to-day policing. Uniformed sergeants are often responsible for supervising a shift of constables and allocating duties to them. Prisoner-handling stations will also have one or more separate
custody sergeants who are responsible for authorising and supervising the detention of arrested persons in accordance with the
Police and Criminal Evidence Act, along with the daily management and effective running of the
custody suite.
Detective sergeants are equal in rank to their uniformed counterparts; only the prefix '
detective' identifies them as having completed at least one of the various detective training courses authorising them to conduct and/or manage investigations into serious and/or complex crime. In British police services, not all officers deployed in
plain clothes are detectives, and not all detectives are deployed within the
CID
CID may refer to:
Film
* ''C.I.D.'' (1955 film), an Indian Malayalam film
* ''C.I.D.'' (1956 film), an Indian Hindi film
* ''C. I. D.'' (1965 film), an Indian Telugu film
* ''C.I.D.'' (1990 film), an Indian Hindi film
Television
* ''CID'' ( ...
. Thus, it is not unusual for detectives to supervise uniformed officers and vice versa.
Uniformed sergeants'
epaulettes feature three down-pointed
chevrons, above or below a
personal identification number. Sergeants (and constables) in service with the
Metropolitan Police
The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), formerly and still commonly known as the Metropolitan Police (and informally as the Met Police, the Met, Scotland Yard, or the Yard), is the territorial police force responsible for law enforcement and ...
, responsible for
law enforcement
Law enforcement is the activity of some members of government who act in an organized manner to enforce the law by discovering, deterring, rehabilitating, or punishing people who violate the rules and norms governing that society. The term ...
in
Greater London, have a "shoulder number", analogous to the
collar number of regional forces, which is distinct from the warrant number on their
warrant card. This is simply a management device to help order what is by far the largest police service in the UK. In the case of the
Police Service of Northern Ireland, sergeants' chevrons point upwards. This is derived from the practices of the
Royal Irish Constabulary, who were a mounted police force and followed a tradition of upward-pointing ranks.
Until the abolition of
first-class detective sergeants in 1973, Metropolitan Police detective sergeants when initially promoted were officially known as second-class detective sergeants.
Unlike the military and allowing for regional variations, addressing a police sergeant as "sarge" is commonplace. Additionally, in some forces (especially the Metropolitan Police) sergeants are referred to as "skippers" and again allowing for regional variations, context and expectations it is not necessarily wrong for a constable to address their sergeant as "skip" or "skipper".
United States
History
The rank of sergeant was inherited from its use in the
British Army
The British Army is the principal land warfare force of the United Kingdom, a part of the British Armed Forces along with the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. , the British Army comprises 79,380 regular full-time personnel, 4,090 Gurkha ...
and its
colonial America regulars and
militia
A militia () is generally an army or some other fighting organization of non-professional soldiers, citizens of a country, or subjects of a state, who may perform military service during a time of need, as opposed to a professional force of r ...
of the several colonies. The sergeant has historically been the senior non-commissioned officer (NCO) rank immediately subordinate to an officer and superior to corporal. Commonly, in the British Army and American colonial forces there was one sergeant for each officer with the sergeants serving as the senior NCO of a section/squad (the two terms were often used interchangeably), or platoon/company (the platoon, in the British Army and its colonial America single-platoon system simply being the company formed for battle, much as the battalion was the regiment deployed in battle formation).
In British Army and its colonial America forces, infantry companies usually had three officers and three sergeants, with the sergeants' primary role in combat being to protect the officers. In battle formation, the company was marched into formation as a single platoon of three ranks consisting of the "rank and file" (i.e., the corporals and privates), also referred to as the "bayonet strength", in order to present volley fire by rank or massed bayonets for assault or defense. Therefore, the sergeants played little direct leadership role in combat as the massed company/platoon was under the direct control of the officers.
Beginning in 1775, the
Thirteen Colonies
The Thirteen Colonies, also known as the Thirteen British Colonies, the Thirteen American Colonies, or later as the United Colonies, were a group of British colonies on the Atlantic coast of North America. Founded in the 17th and 18th centu ...
'
Continental Army began to organize under the Continental European (i.e., Prussian-French) model, which in addition to organizing infantry companies into two platoons and forming each platoon into two ranks by section/squad, vice the three ranks of the British model, gave a more direct leadership role to sergeants by assigning two sergeants to each platoon as section/squad leaders. Sergeants began to transition from serving as battlefield "body-guards" of aristocratic officers into being combat leaders integral to the tactical situation. In 1781, a fifth sergeant was authorized in each company to serve as company first sergeant, although a separate grade of rank was not established until 1831. However, from 1775, each regiment/battalion (these two terms were also used interchangeable during this time period as mentioned above) was authorized a sergeant major and a quartermaster sergeant.
The rank was used by both the
U.S. Army and the
Confederate army during the
American Civil War
The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by Names of the American Civil War, other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union (American Civil War), Union ("the North") and t ...
. The same rank insignia was used similarly by both armies. Both varied the color of the stripes by assigning red for artillery, yellow for cavalry, blue for infantry and later in the war, green for sharpshooters. Some militia units varied these colors even further and had other colors including black and red with gold piping for various units. The rank was just below first sergeant and just above corporal. They usually commanded a section of twenty men with two corporals under him. As the war progressed these men were often in command of platoons and even companies as the units were depleted of officers during combat.
While the number of sergeants (including the first sergeant) authorized in an infantry company fluctuated from three to five during various periods of history, by the United States Civil War it was relatively fixed at four sergeants, a first sergeant, and a company quartermaster sergeant (added in 1861). In 1898 the infantry company was expanded to three platoons, increasing the number of sergeants in each company to six, along with a first sergeant and a company quartermaster sergeant. In 1905, the company quartermaster sergeant was renamed as company supply sergeant and a mess sergeant was added to the company.
In 1917, the Army reorganized under the "square division" plan. The size of units from company up increased significantly and there were now four rifle platoons and 12 sergeants per company, along with three "staff" NCOs (first sergeant, supply sergeant, and mess sergeant). While there were still two sergeants assigned as section leaders in each platoon, a new position of "assistant to platoon commander" was filled by the senior ranking sergeant of the three assigned to assist the lieutenant in leading the unit.
The 1939 "triangular division" reorganization eliminated sections in rifle platoons. In 1940, rifle squad leaders, who had been corporals, became sergeants (with two staff sergeants – one as a platoon leader and the other as a platoon guide in the platoon headquarters; the lieutenant was still titled platoon commander), with three squads/sergeants per rifle platoon. In 1942, sergeants became assistant squad leaders, with staff sergeants as squad leaders (and a technical sergeant and a staff sergeant, as platoon leader and platoon guide, respectively, in the platoon headquarters).
In 1943 ''platoon leaders'' (technical sergeants) were re-designated as ''platoon sergeants'', while ''platoon commanders'' (officers – usually second or first lieutenants) became ''platoon leaders'', with only company and higher-level commanding officers known as a "commander". (Of note, while the U.S. Marine Corps followed the Army's lead in re-designating the senior NCO in a platoon from "assistant to platoon commander" to platoon leader and then as the platoon sergeant, the Marine Corps continues to style an officer commanding a platoon as "platoon commander".) In 1948, squad leaders again became sergeants (with corporals as assistant squad leaders) and finally, in 1958, sergeants became fire-team leaders under a staff sergeant as squad leader.
Army
In the
United States Army
The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, ...
, although there are several ranks of sergeant, the lowest carries the title of sergeant. Sergeant is the enlisted rank in the U.S. Army above
specialist and
corporal and below
staff sergeant, and is the second-lowest grade of
non-commissioned officer. The rank was often nicknamed "buck sergeant" to distinguish it from other senior grades of sergeants. Sergeants in the
infantry
Infantry is a military specialization which engages in ground combat on foot. Infantry generally consists of light infantry, mountain infantry, motorized infantry & mechanized infantry, airborne infantry, air assault infantry, and mar ...
, for example, lead
fire teams of four men. There are two fire teams in a nine-man rifle
squad, which is led by a
staff sergeant. Sergeants are normally section and team leaders and are a critical link in the NCO channel. These non-commissioned officers live and work with their soldiers every day and are responsible for their health, welfare and safety. These section and team leaders ensure that their soldiers meet standards in personal appearance and teach them to maintain and account for their individual and unit equipment and property. The NCO enforces standards and develops and trains soldiers daily in their military occupational specialty and unit mission.
Drill sergeants are typically addressed as "drill sergeant" regardless of rank, though use of this term depends on post policy. When serving a tour as drill sergeant this is indicated by the traditional
campaign hat. In late 1971, Headquarters, Continental Army Command (CONARC) received approval from the Chief of Staff of the Army for permission to include women in the Drill Sergeant Program. In February 1972, six Woman Army Corps (WAC) noncommissioned officers from Fort McClellan, Alabama, were enrolled in the Drill Sergeant Program, at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.
[ArmyStudyGuide.com, n.d.] Upon graduation, the women were authorized to wear the female drill sergeant campaign hat. Today, women drill sergeants are also referred to as "drill sergeant", regardless of their rank. Both men and women drill sergeants will always wear the drill sergeant badge indicating they completed the required training program at an authorized drill sergeant academy. The army drill sergeant badge appears on the right breast pocket.
Marine Corps
The
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps (USMC), also referred to as the United States Marines, is the maritime land force service branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for conducting expeditionary and amphibious operations through c ...
has several ranks that include the title of "sergeant", the lowest of which is sergeant (E-5). Marine sergeants are the fifth enlisted rank in the U.S. Marine Corps, ranking above
corporal and below
staff sergeant, and are often referred to as the backbone of the Marine Corps.
Infantry
Infantry is a military specialization which engages in ground combat on foot. Infantry generally consists of light infantry, mountain infantry, motorized infantry & mechanized infantry, airborne infantry, air assault infantry, and mar ...
sergeants typically serve as
squad leader
''Squad Leader'' is a tactical level board war game originally published by Avalon Hill in 1977. It was designed by John Hill and simulates on infantry combat in Europe during World War II. One of the most complex war games of its time, ''Squ ...
s in either a rifle or weapons
platoon
A platoon is a military unit typically composed of two or more squads, sections, or patrols. Platoon organization varies depending on the country and the branch, but a platoon can be composed of 50 people, although specific platoons may rang ...
or as the
platoon guide
A platoon guide is a position, but not a rank, in the United States Army and Marine Corps. The guide sets the direction and cadence of the march.
In an infantry platoon the platoon guide is a non commissioned officer (by Table of Organization Oa ...
(i.e., assistant platoon sergeant) in a rifle platoon.
Once a Marine attains the rank of sergeant, promotions no longer derive from a composite and cutting score-based system; instead, they receive a
Fitness Report, or FITREP (i.e., a formal written evaluation, grading attributes from appearance and bearing to leadership and technical proficiency).
In the Marine Corps, enlisted ranks above sergeant are referred to as
staff non-commissioned officers, or SNCOs. These ranks, staff sergeant through
sergeant major, are always referred to by their full rank and never merely as "sergeant".
Staff sergeant is usually the lowest enlisted rank that reports directly to an officer. In the infantry this would typically be as a rifle
platoon sergeant or as a
section leader in a
weapons platoon (i.e., machine guns, mortars, anti-tank/assault weapons).
Infantry
gunnery sergeants usually serve as platoon sergeants for weapons platoons before moving up to a
company gunnery sergeant billet. This position is filled by an experienced gunnery sergeant who is typically in charge of coordinating
operations,
logistics
Logistics is generally the detailed organization and implementation of a complex operation. In a general business sense, logistics manages the flow of goods between the point of origin and the point of consumption to meet the requirements of ...
, and individual
training for a company-sized group of Marines (approximately 180 personnel). Owing to their involvement in the management of unit supply/re-supply the "Company Gunny" is colloquially known to be in charge of the "3 Bs": beans, bullets, and band-aids. Gunnery sergeants are commonly addressed as "gunny", but never officially. Use of this informality by subordinates is permitted solely at the rank holder's discretion.
Infantry
master sergeants typically serve as the operations chief of a weapons company (in lieu of the Company Gunnery Sergeant located in the rifle companies) or as the assistant operations chief in the
headquarters
Headquarters (commonly referred to as HQ) denotes the location where most, if not all, of the important functions of an organization are coordinated. In the United States, the corporate headquarters represents the entity at the center or the to ...
of an infantry
regiment
A regiment is a military unit. Its role and size varies markedly, depending on the country, service and/or a specialisation.
In Medieval Europe, the term "regiment" denoted any large body of front-line soldiers, recruited or conscript ...
. Master sergeants are addressed as either "master sergeant" or "top" at the preference of the incumbent and dependent upon the commonly accepted practice within the
MOS
MOS or Mos may refer to:
Technology
* MOSFET (metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistor), also known as the MOS transistor
* Mathematical Optimization Society
* Model output statistics, a weather-forecasting technique
* MOS (fil ...
community. For example, in Intelligence (the 02 MOS field), use of "Top" is common; in the Infantry (the 03 MOS field) its use is nearly unheard of and aggressively discouraged.
First sergeants serve as the
senior enlisted advisor (SEA) to a
company
A company, abbreviated as co., is a legal entity representing an association of people, whether natural, legal or a mixture of both, with a specific objective. Company members share a common purpose and unite to achieve specific, declared ...
or
battery
Battery most often refers to:
* Electric battery, a device that provides electrical power
* Battery (crime), a crime involving unlawful physical contact
Battery may also refer to:
Energy source
*Automotive battery, a device to provide power t ...
commander
Commander (commonly abbreviated as Cmdr.) is a common naval officer rank. Commander is also used as a rank or title in other formal organizations, including several police forces. In several countries this naval rank is termed frigate captain. ...
and are always addressed by their full rank title as "first sergeant". However, it is common for first sergeants to be referred to as "first shirt" by those under their command. Unlike "gunny" and even "top", a first sergeant is never addressed as "first shirt" directly.
Infantry
master gunnery sergeants serve as the operations chief in the headquarters of an infantry
battalion
A battalion is a military unit, typically consisting of 300 to 1,200 soldiers commanded by a lieutenant colonel, and subdivided into a number of companies (usually each commanded by a major or a captain). In some countries, battalions ...
or higher level organization (viz.,
Marine Expeditionary Unit,
regiment
A regiment is a military unit. Its role and size varies markedly, depending on the country, service and/or a specialisation.
In Medieval Europe, the term "regiment" denoted any large body of front-line soldiers, recruited or conscript ...
,
Marine Expeditionary Brigade,
division,
Marine Expeditionary Force) and follow the same verbal address protocol as master sergeants but are commonly referred to as "master guns", or "master gunny".
Sergeants major serve as the SEA to a battalion or
squadron, or higher level, commander, and are always addressed by their full rank title as "sergeant major".
The history of the rank of sergeant in the USMC roughly parallels that of the US Army until 1942. From 1775 until WWII the Marine Corps used essentially the same rank and organizational structure as its common British and colonial forbearers with the Army, as well as the later Continental and U.S. Armies. In 1942, as the Army modified its triangular-division infantry organization to best fight in the European/North African/Middle Eastern theatre, the Marine Corps began modifying the triangular-division plan to best employ its amphibious-warfare doctrine in the Pacific Theatre. This meant that for the Corps, squad leaders would remain as sergeants and the rifle squad would be sub-divided into three 4-man fire teams, each led by a corporal.
Air Force
The
U.S. Air Force title "sergeant" (E-4, equivalent to an Army or Marine corporal and Navy/Coast Guard petty officer third class), commonly and informally referred to as "buck sergeant", was used beginning in October 1967 in the hope that the prestige of being an
NCO would increase the re-enlistment rate. The title was phased out again in the 1990s.
From 1952 through October 1967, E4s were titled "Airman First Class" (A/1c) and there was no rank titled "sergeant", though A/1cs were often called "sarge" or "sergeant" informally. During the period when the E4 title was "sergeant",
senior airmen, earlier known as airmen second class (A/2c, pay grade E3), were promoted to sergeant and granted non-commissioned officer status after 12 months time in grade; this lateral promotion is no longer conferred and senior airmen compete directly for promotion to staff sergeant. The current title for airmen at the E4 grade is "senior airman". From 1976 – 1995, senior airman rank insignia had a subdued central star (light blue vice silver for sergeant and above), as did airman first class (E3) and airman (E2). Airman Basic, E1, has no rank insignia.
In today's Air Force, the term sergeant refers to all Air Force non-commissioned officers up to the rank of senior master sergeant (E-8). An Airman who has achieved the rank of senior master sergeant (E-8) may also be referred to as "senior". An airman who has achieved the rank of chief master sergeant (E-9) is referred to as "chief". Those in the grade of staff sergeant (E-5) and
technical sergeant (E-6) are referred to as non-commissioned officers, while those in the grade of
master sergeant (E-7) through chief master sergeant (E-9) are referred to as senior non-commissioned officers.
Space Force
On February 1, 2021, the
United States Space Force established the rank of sergeant for the paygrade E-5, replacing the rank of
staff sergeant used in the Air Force. This aligned the Space Force's E-5 grade with the Army and Marine Corps, in which sergeants hold the grade of E-5 and staff sergeants hold the grade of E-6. In the Air Force, staff sergeants hold the grade of E-5 and the prior rank of sergeant was a non-commissioned officer in the grade of E-4, equivalent to the U.S. Army's corporal. Sergeants rank above
specialist 4 but below
technical sergeant.
NATO code
While the rank is used in a number of
NATO countries, it is ranked differently depending on the country.
Gallery
File:03.AlgA-SGT.svg,
)
( Algerian Land Forces)
File:British Army OR-6.svg, Sergeant
(Antigua and Barbuda Regiment
The Antigua and Barbuda Regiment is the infantry unit and main fighting arm of the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force. Previously known as the Rifle Company, it was formed in 1995 and consists of a single light infantry battalion, commanded by a Lie ...
)
File:Ejercito Argentino - Sargento.svg,
(Argentine Army
The Argentine Army ( es, Ejército Argentino, EA) is the Army, land force branch of the Armed Forces of the Argentine Republic and the senior military service of Argentina. Under the Argentine Constitution, the president of Argentina is the comman ...
)
File:BDF OR-6 (2021).svg, Sergeant
( Barbados Regiment)
File:British Army OR-6.svg, Sergeant
( Belize Defence Force)
File:Benin Army OR-5.svg,
( Benin Army)
File:Botswana-Army-OR-6.svg, Sergeant
( Botswana Ground Force)
File:03. Burkina Faso Army - SGT.svg,
( Burkina Faso Ground Forces)
File:blank.svg,
)
( Burundi Army)
File:Cameroon-Army-OR-5.svg,
( Cameroon Ground Forces)
File:Canadian Army OR-6.svg, Sergeant
)
(Canadian Army
The Canadian Army (french: Armée canadienne) is the command responsible for the operational readiness of the conventional ground forces of the Canadian Armed Forces. It maintains regular forces units at bases across Canada, and is also respo ...
)
File:Cape_Verde-army-OR-5b.svg,
( Cape Verdean National Guard)
File:04.CAGF-SGT.svg,
( Central African Ground Forces)
File:Chad-Army-OR-5.svg,
(Chadian Ground Forces The Chadian Ground Forces (french: Armée de terre tchadienne) are the main and largest component of the Chadian National Army (''Armée nationale tchadienne''). Historically Chad has had one of the strongest armies in the Sahara region, larger tha ...
)
File:Comoros-Army-OR-5.svg,
( Comorian Army)
File:03.DRC-SGT.svg,
( Land Forces of the DR Congo)
File:04-ROCongo Army-SGT.svg,
( Congolese Ground Forces)
File:Djibouti-Army-OR-5.svg,
( Djiboutian Army)
File:SargentoE.N.svg,
( Dominican Army)
File:El-Salvador-Army-OR-6.svg,
( Salvadoran Army)
File:04. EGLF-SGT.svg,
( Army of Equatorial Guinea)
File:04.GLF-SGT.svg,
( Gabonese Army)
File:03.Gambian Army-SGT.svg, Sergeant
(Gambian National Army
The Gambia Armed Forces, also known as the Armed Forces of The Gambia, consists of three branches: the Gambia National Army (GNA), the Gambia Navy, and the Republican National Guard (RNG). It formerly included the Gambia National Gendarmerie (GNG) ...
)
File:Ghana-Army-OR-6.svg, Sergeant
( Ghana Army)
File:blank.svg,
( Guinea Ground Forces)
File:Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Sergeant insignia.svg, Sergeant
( Guyana Army)
File:Ivory_Coast-Army-OR-5.svg,
( Ivory Coast Ground Forces)
File:Jamaica-Army-OR-6.png, Sergeant
( Jamaican Army)
File:Kenya-Army-OR-6.svg, Sergeant
( Kenya Army)
File:Zimbabwe-Army-OR-6.svg, Sergeant
( Lesotho Army)
File:Army-USA-OR-05.svg, Sergeant
( Liberian Ground Forces)
File:04.Madagascar Air Force-SGT.svg,
( Madagascar Ground Forces)
File:blank.svg, Sergeant
( Malawi Army)
File:04.Mali Army-SGT.svg,
( Malian Army)
File:05-Moroccan Army-SGT.svg,
( Royal Moroccan Army)
File:03-Namibia Army-SGT.svg, Sergeant
( Namibian Army)
File:blank.svg,
(Niger Army
The Niger Armed Forces (french: Forces armées nigériennes) (FAN) includes military armed force service branches ( Niger Army and Niger Air Force), paramilitary services branches ( National Gendarmerie of Niger and National Guard of Niger) an ...
)
File:Sajenti (Tanzania Army OR-06).png, Sergeant
(Nigerian Army
The Nigerian Army (NA) is the land force of the Nigerian Armed Forces. It is governed by the Nigerian Army Council (NAC). The Chief of Army Staff is the highest ranking military officer of the Nigerian Army.
History Formation
The Nigerian ...
)
File:SKN Regiment OR-6.svg, Sergeant
( SKN Regiment)
File:Senegal-Army-OR-5.svg,
( Senegalese Army)
File:Seychelles Army OR-06 (2018).svg, Sergeant
( Seychelles Infantry Unit)
File:Zimbabwe-Army-OR-6.svg, Sergeant
( Sierra Leone Army)
File:SAA-OR-6.svg, Sergeant
( South African Army)
File:Nl-landmacht-sergeant-wachtmeester.svg,
( Suriname Army)
File:blank.svg, Sergeant
( Eswatini Army)
File:03-Tanzania Army-SGT.svg, Sergeant
)
( Tanzanian Army)
File:blank.svg,
( Togolese Army)
File:TaT-Army-OR-06.png, Sergeant
(Trinidad and Tobago Regiment
The Trinidad and Tobago Regiment is the main ground force element of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force. It has approximately 10,000 men and women organized into a Regiment Headquarters (located in Port of Spain) and four battalions. There is ...
)
File:Grade Marine tunisienne E4.png,
)
( Tunisian Army)
File:Uganda-Army-OR-6.svg, Sergeant
( Ugandan Land Forces)
File:Army-USA-OR-05 (Army greens).svg, Sergeant
(United States Army
The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, ...
)
File:Uruguay-Army-OR-6.svg,
( National Army of Uruguay)
File:Zimbabwe-Army-OR-6.svg, Sergeant
( Zambian Army)
File:Zimbabwe-Army-OR-6.svg, Sergeant
( Zimbabwe National Army)
See also
*
Comparative military ranks
*
Military rank
Military ranks are a system of hierarchical relationships, within armed forces, police, intelligence agencies or other institutions organized along military lines. The military rank system defines dominance, authority, and responsibility in ...
*
Military unit
*
Chevron (insignia)
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:
Enlisted ranks of the United States Air Force
Enlisted ranks of the United States Space Force
Military ranks of Australia
Military ranks of Canada
Military ranks of Ireland
Military ranks of Singapore
Military ranks of the Commonwealth
Military ranks of the Francophonie
Military ranks of the British Army
Military ranks of the United States Army
Military ranks
Police ranks in the United Kingdom
Police ranks of Sri Lanka
Police ranks
Military ranks of the United States Marine Corps
United States military enlisted ranks
Military ranks of the Royal Air Force
Military ranks of the Royal Marines