Marine Corps Sergeant Major

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.

Sergeant Major is the 11th rank in the United States Marine Corps , ranking above Master Gunnery Sergeant and directly below Sergeant Major Of The Marine Corps. A sergeant major is a Senior Enlisted Advisor at DoD paygrade E-9, with a starting monthly pay of $5,789.

How do you become a Sergeant Major?

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

What are a Sergeant Major Responsibilities?

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

Sergeants Major 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 personnel.