Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant

Sergeant Major is the highest enlisted rank in the Marine Corps, and is equivalent in paygrade (but not in responsibility) to Master Gunnery Sergeant.

A Sergeant Major serves as the billeted senior enlisted advisor for the Marine Corps’ largest units, including battalions and squadrons. As the senior enlisted member of their unit, Sergeant Majors serve as a bridge between the enlisted Marines and their commanders and assist in unit logistics, drilling, and disciplinary actions among their Marines.

Sergeant Major is the highest enlisted rank available to non-commissioned officers following the command career path. Most Sergeant Majors are promoted from the ranks of qualifying First Sergeants, who serve a similar purpose in smaller units such as companies and platoons.

Master Gunnery Sergeant is the 10th rank in the United States Marine Corps , ranking above First Sergeant and directly below Sergeant Major. A master gunnery sergeant is a Staff Noncommissioned Officer at DoD paygrade E-9, with a starting monthly pay of $5,789.

How do you become a Master Gunnery Sergeant?

A Master Gunnery Sergeant is most often promoted from First Sergeant (1stSg), although promotion from lower paygrades may occur with sufficient display of leadership and experience.

What are a Master Gunnery Sergeant Responsibilities?

Master Gunnery Sergeant is the ninth among Enlisted ranks in the USMC, equal in rank but different in responsibilities than a Sergeant Major. Master Gunnery Sergeants are technical managers, while Sergeants Major are personnel managers.

Master Gunnery Sergeants lead at the Battalion level or higher, all the way up to Force levels, advising Majors all the way up to Generals of the readiness of their units with respect to equipment and programs.