Sergeant
Sergeant is a
rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organisations around the world.
In most non-naval
military or
paramilitary organizations, a Sergeant is a
non-commissioned officer (NCO) ranking above
Privates and
Corporals, and below
Warrant Officers and
Commissioned Officers.
There are usually several ranks of Sergeant, each corresponding to greater experience and responsibility for the daily lives of the soldiers of larger units. Although even the highest sergeant is officially lower in rank than the lowest
Lieutenant, an experienced Sergeant will have considerable personal power and know how to exercise it.
In many armies, the term "Sergeant" is sometimes actually applied to a soldier of higher or lower rank holding an appointment â€" for example a
Corporal in the British Army holding the appointment of
Lance-Sergeant, or a
Warrant Officer in the
Canadian Forces holding the appointment of Company Quartermaster Sergeant.
The rank of Sergeant or its equivalent is common to the
police of many countries. It is usually the highest rank which performs direct field supervision.
In the
British police, Sergeant (officially Police Sergeant (PS)) is senior to
Police Constable and junior to
Inspector. British Police Sergeants are usually addressed by their subordinates as "Sergeant", "Sarge", "Skipper" or "Skip". Constables must have completed their two years' probation before taking their sergeant's exams; if they pass then they may apply for promotion. The
Metropolitan Police also maintained a more senior rank,
Station Sergeant (or First Class Detective Sergeant in the
Criminal Investigation Department), from 1890 to 1973.
In most
American police departments, Sergeant is the rank junior to
Lieutenant. Many police forces also use the rank of Corporal.
In the
Irish Garda SÃochána, Sergeant is senior to Garda and junior to Inspector.
The
New Zealand Police and
Australian police services also have the rank of Senior Sergeant.
Sergeant (
SGT) is a rank in both the
Australian Army and the
Royal Australian Air Force. The ranks are equal to each other and the
Royal Australian Navy rank of
Petty Officer (PO).
However, the RAAF rank of
Flight Sergeant (FSGT) outranks the Army rank of
Staff Sergeant (SSG). There is no Navy or RAAF equivalent of SSG, however the Navy rank of
Chief Petty Officer (CPO) and Army rank of
Warrant Officer Class 2 (WO2) are equivalent to a Flight Sergeant.
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Canadian Forces Sergeant's arm badge |
Sergeant (
Sgt) (French:
sergent) is an
Army or
Air Force non-commissioned member (NCM) rank of the
Canadian Forces. Its
Naval equivalent is
Petty Officer 2nd Class (PO2) (French:
maître de 2e classe). It is senior to the appointment of
Master Corporal (MCpl) and its equivalent naval appointment,
Master Seaman (MS), and junior to
Warrant Officer (WO) and its naval equivalent,
Petty Officer 1st Class (PO1). Sgts and PO2s together make up the cadre of
senior non-commissioned officers (Sr NCOs).
In army units, Sergeants usually serve as
section commanders; they may often be called to fill positions normally held by
Warrant Officers, such as
Platoon Warrant,
Troop Warrant,
Quartermaster Sergeant,
Chief Clerk, etc.
The rank insignia of a Sergeant is a 3-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 postman-blue
slip-ons on Air Force shirts, sweaters, and coats; and in tan (Army) or dark blue (Air Force) thread on
CADPAT slip-ons on the
Operational Dress uniform. Sergeants are generally initially addressed as "Sergeant Bloggins" and therafter as "Sergeant"; the colloquialism "Sarge" is used only in informal situations.
Colour Sergeant in the Canadian 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 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 Officers 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 (ie an infantry Platoon Sergeant, or Troop Sergeant in an armoured unit). After unification he was downgraded in status to section commander, a job previously held by
Corporals, and the former "Platoon/Troop Sergeant"s were replaced by "Platoon/Troop Warrant Officers."
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German Sergeant's (Feldwebel) shoulder board |
In the
German language, the rank of Sergeant is known as
Feldwebel. The rank has existed since the 18th century, with usage as a title dating to the
Middle Ages. One important difference between Sergeants and
Feldwebeln exists: in a typical
Bundeswehr company, only one
Zug (
platoon) is under the command of an officer, while the other
Zugführer (platoon leader) positions are held by
Feldwebel-ranked NCOs (typically
Hauptfeldwebel and above).
In the modern Germany Army,
Feldwebel and
Oberfeldwebel have a NATO rank code of OR-6, with
Unteroffizier (historically considered generically equivalent to Corporal) and
Stabsunteroffizier having a rank code of OR-5.
Army
In the
British Indian Army, the equivalent rank to Sergeant was
Daffadar in cavalry regiments and
Havildar in other units. These ranks are still used in the
Indian Army and
Pakistan Army.
Police
In many
metropolitan police forces in India e.g.
Kolkata Police, a Sergeant is senior to an Assistant Sub-Inspector but junior to an
Inspector.
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Irish Army Sgt's Rank Slider |
Sergeant (
Sgt) (
Sáirsint in
Gaelic) is the second rank of non-commissioned officer within the
Irish Army. The
Naval equivalent is
Petty Officer (PO).
The Army rank insignia consists of three winged chevrons (or "stripes"). The Service Dress Insignia consists of three wavy red chevrons 3½ inches wide bordered in yellow. The main infantry role of a Sergeant is as Second in Command of a
platoon 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.
Sergeant is also the second rank of NCO 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.
In the
Polish Army rank insignia system there are two grades of sergeant:
Sierżant (OR-6 in NATO code) and
Starszy Sierżant (OR-7). The rank first appeared in
Henryk DÄ…browski's
Polish Legions in Italy in the late
18th century. Both ranks are used in the infantry, armoured forces, air force and cavalry. In the artillery the equivalent is
Bombardier or
Ogniomistrz (literally
Firemaster). In the
Polish Navy, the equivalent is
Bosman (literally
Boatswain).
In the
Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), there are five different grades of sergeant:
3rd Sergeant (
3SG),
2nd Sergeant (
2SG),
1st Sergeant (
1SG),
Staff Sergeant (SSG), and
Master Sergeant (MSG). Sergeants as well as Warrant Officers are the non-commissioned officers in the SAF. Soldiers serving
national service are promoted to 3SG after passing out of the School of Infantry Specialists (SISPEC)or other training institutes . They can then go on to become 2SGs or 1SGs. The senior NCO ranks, SSG and MSG, are usually only attained by regular soldiers and not conscripts.
Promotion from 3SG to SSG takes an average of 6 years, although there are many factors which may cause a soldier's promotion to cease. These factors include failure to pass an annual physical fitness proficiency test, poor performance in their appointments or getting charged for offences.
3SGs are usually
section commanders/
second-in-commands (equivalent to a British
Lance-Corporal/Corporal, as well as other vocations like Company
Quartermaster Sergeants (CQMS) as well as technicians. 2SGs usually serve as platoon sergeants (equivalent to a British Sergeant). 1SGs, SSGs, and MSGs usually serve as
Company Sergeant Majors or administrative NCOs at
company level or higher (equivalent to British
Staff Sergeants and
Warrant Officers).
In the
Singapore Police Force, the rank of Sergeant lies between
Corporal and
Staff Sergeant.
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British Army Sergeant's arm badge |
A
Sergeant (
Sgt) in the
British Army wears three point-down
chevrons on their sleeve and usually serves as a
platoon or
troop sergeant, or in a specialist position.
Staff Sergeant 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 tradition of having corporals but not sergeants.
The official spelling was
Serjeant (
Sjt) until after the
Second World War, although the modern spelling had already been in common use for many years.
The
Royal Marines and
Royal Anglian Regiment use the ranks of
Sergeant and
Colour Sergeant.
The
Royal Air Force 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 sergeants in technical trades were known as
Senior Technicians and wore their chevrons point up.
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RAF Sergeant Aircrew's arm badge |
On
1 July 1946,
aircrew sergeants were redesignated 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.
British sergeants are usually addressed as "Sergeant". The shortening "Sarge" is sometimes used by subordinates, although many sergeants object to this term. In the British Army and Royal Marines, however, the abbreviated "Sarn't" is commonly heard.
Army
Sergeant (Sgt) is a rank awarded after 15 months of conscript training as squad leader (Swedish Cavalry). The rank corresponds to Corporal in the British Army.
* Swedish Army Rank Insignia | | | Rank above | Fänrik | | Rank below | Furir | | Rank critera | 15 months of conscript training | | Command KFOR | Team Leader of 5-7 men |
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Army
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U.S. Army Sergeant's sleeve insignia |
In the
United States Army, although there are several ranks of sergeant, the lowest carries the title of
Sergeant (
SGT), colloquially referred to as
buck sergeant when needed to distinguish it from the higher ranks. Sergeant is the fifth enlisted rank in the U.S. Army, just below
Staff Sergeant, and is the second-lowest grade of
non-commissioned officer.
Army NCOs of any rank between Sergeant and Master Sergeant may be addressed as "Sergeant," but First Sergeants and Sergeants Major only by their full rank. (Though not technically required, a Master Sergeant is still typically referred to by his or her full rank, as a show of respect.) Drill Sergeants are always addressed as "
Drill Sergeant", regardless of rank.
Marine Corps
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U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant's sleeve insignia |
Similarly, the
United States Marine Corps has several ranks which carry the title of Sergeant, the lowest of which is
Sergeant (
Sgt). Marine Sergeants are the fifth enlisted rank in the U.S. Marine Corps, just above
Corporal and below
Staff Sergeant.
In the Marine Corps, enlisted ranks above Sergeant are referred to as Staff Non-Commissioned Officers (Staff NCOs or SNCOs). These ranks, Staff Sergeant through Sergeant Major, are always referred to by their full rank and never merely as "Sergeant". Gunnery Sergeants are commonly addressed as "Gunnery Sergeant" or simply "Gunny". A Marine Corps Sergeant is always addressed as "Sergeant" and never "Sarge" or any sort of nickname or abbreviation.
Air Force
The
U.S. Air Force rank of
Sergeant (E-4) was phased out in the 1990s. Previously,
Senior Airmen were promoted to Sergeant and granted NCO status after 12 months time in grade; this lateral promotion is no longer conferred and Senior Airmen compete directly for promotion to
Staff Sergeant. In today's Air Force, the term Sergeant refers to all Air Force NCOs up to and including
Senior Master Sergeant.
"Sergeant" is generally the lowest rank of Sergeant, with individual militaries choosing some additional words to signify higher ranking individuals. What terms are used, and what seniority they signify, is to a great extent dependant on the individual armed service. The term "sergeant" is also used in many appointment titles.
Ranks
*
Chief Master Sergeant*
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force*
Colour Sergeant*
Command Sergeant Major*
Company Sergeant*
First Sergeant*
Flight Sergeant*
Gunnery Sergeant*
Master Gunnery Sergeant*
Master Sergeant*
Senior Master Sergeant*
Senior Sergeant*
Senior Staff Sergeant*
Sergeant First Class*
Sergeant Major*
Sergeant Major of the Army*
Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps*
Staff Sergeant*
Station Sergeant*
Technical SergeantAppointments
*
Academy Sergeant Major*
Band Sergeant Major*
Battery Quartermaster Sergeant*
Battery Sergeant Major*
Company Quartermaster Sergeant*
Company Sergeant Major*
First Sergeant*
Garrison Sergeant Major*
Lance Sergeant*
Platoon Sergeant Major*
Provost Sergeant*
Quartermaster Sergeant Instructor*
Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant*
Regimental Sergeant Major*
Sergeant Major Instructor*
Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant*
Squadron Sergeant Major*
Staff Sergeant Major*
Troop Sergeant Major* [https://www.perscomonline.army.mil/select/E5.htm United States Army sergeant duties]
*
U.S. Army Enlisted Rank Insignia - Criteria, Background, and Images*
Military unit*
Military rank*
Comparative military ranks*
British Army enlisted rank insignia*
RAF enlisted ranks*
Irish Army Enlisted Rank Insignia*
U.S. Army enlisted rank insignia*
U.S. Marine Corps enlisted rank insignia*
Regimental Sergeant Major
