First sergeant
The first sergeant is both a military rank in the sergeant career of English forces , on the other hand, an official position in the armed forces of the United States similar to the company sergeant-major of the Bundeswehr .
history
Historically, the rank of First Sergeant in the Union Army has existed since 1781 when a fifth sergeant was added to the non-commissioned officer structure of the infantry regiments. The Continental Congress of 1776 and 1779 approved three sergeants in each company . The sergeants were counted in the order of seniority and the first sergeant was initially the longest serving sergeant in the company, but not a rank of its own.
In 1833, the First Sergeant became a separate rank with a separate pay grade, below the Sergeant Major but above the regular sergeant. Like all sergeants, the first sergeant wore a red waist sash and a sergeant's sword. Since 1821, however, the hip sash became his privilege (along with all other higher sergeants), while the lower sergenates were only allowed to carry the sword. With the introduction of the three rank angles for sergeants in 1847, the first sergeant received the diamond on a point as an additional indicator. In 1872 the sashes of the sergeants and officers were discontinued , generals wore their buff- colored (i.e. yellow-brown) specimens until 1917. The sergeant's sword was omitted by general orders no. 77 , dated August 6, 1875.
Rank
Badge of rank of First Sergeant in the Confederate States Army
|
US Army
The rank of First Sergeant of the US Army (abbreviation 1SG ) is on the same level as the Master Sergeant , both have the NATO rank code OR-8, but the two ranks have different responsibilities. In general, the First Sergeant is superior to the Master Sergeant , but the latter may have greater military responsibilities.
Master sergeants are appointed first sergeants by Department of Defense selection, while qualified first class sergeants are promoted based on vacancies. After the appointment or promotion assume this the duties of a First Sergeant, when reassignment to another service position than that of a First Sergeant returns the soldier to the rank of master sergeant back if it is not promoted at the same time to a higher rank (OR-9) .
| Rank | ||
| lower: Sergeant First Class |
First Sergeant Master Sergeant |
higher: Sergeant Major |
US Marine Corps
The rank of First Seargeant of the United States Marine Corps (abbreviation 1stSgt ) is also on the same level as the Master Sergeant and also has the NATO rank code OR-8. Similar to the US Army, they have different responsibilities.
The First Sergeant has command responsibility and is the most important advisor to the commander of a company, battery or comparable unit. In contrast, the Master Sergeant is responsible for technical tasks in his area of responsibility and takes on the leadership role in various parts below the company level.
Unlike in the US Army, in the Marine Corps there are no appointments between Master Sergeant and First Sergeant, they are promoted permanently and require a change in their assignment. Prior to a promotion, the Gunnery Sergeant prefers a post, and promotion to one of the two ranks is ultimately based on suitability, previous assignments, and the current needs of the Marine Corps.
While a First Sergeant is eligible to be promoted to Sergeant Major in his later career, the Master Sergeant's career path continues to Master Gunnery Sergeant .
| Rank | ||
| lower: Gunnery Sergeant |
First Sergeant Master Sergeant |
higher: Sergeant Major Master Gunnery Sergeant |
Singapore
The first sergeant in the armed forces of Singapore is the top rank within the rank group of "junior specialists" with the NATO rank code OR-7, above the second sergeant and below the staff sergeant .
In combat units, the First Sergeant is deployed as a deputy platoon leader , but also as the person responsible for weapons support groups.
First sergeants subject to the Company Sergeant Major (approximately corresponds to the Kompaniefeldwebel ) and assist it in the inner guide of the lower ranked NCOs having command authority.
| Rank | ||
| lower: Second Sergeant |
First sergeant |
higher: Staff Sergeant |
Service position
As a service position, the First Sergeant is comparable to the company sergeant in the Bundeswehr . He is responsible for the morale, welfare, and behavior of all soldiers under him. He is also the direct contact person for the company commander in all matters relating to NCOs and crews.
The first sergeant is normally the longest serving sergeant in a unit who reports directly to the unit commander, similar to the company sergeant of the Bundeswehr in Germany.
The First Sergeant uses the so-called French diamond on his rank badge to distinguish it.
US Army
In the US Army, a master sergeant usually takes on the position of first sergeant, see also the previous section .
US Air Force
In the US Air Force, a master sergeant usually takes on this position, in larger units a senior master sergeant or chief master sergeant can also be used as first sergeant, i.e. soldiers in the pay levels E-7 to E-9.
Picture gallery
First Sergeant Academy
Master Sergeant as First Sergeant
Senior Master Sergeant as First Sergeant
"First Sergeant of Company", 1939
"First Sergeant of Company", (~ 1861–1865)
literature
- Bobby Owens: The first sergeant: an introduction. Enlisted Leadership Laboratory 2000, ISBN 1-884-3082-60 .
- Edmund Kenneth Karcher (Jr.): The First Sergeant in the United States Air Force: A Perceptual Component Approach to the Analysis of Leadership and Organizationalpositions , Issue 7 of Technical report. Institute for Research in Social Science, Human Resources Research Institute (US), Institute for Research in Social Science, University of North Carolina, 1952.
- AIR FORCE OCCUPATIONAL MEASUREMENT CENTER RANDOLPH AFB TX: First Sergeant Career Ladder AFSC 100X0 and SDI 99607. Defense Technical Information Center 1984.
- Regulations for the Army of the Confederate States: With a Full Index. West & Johnston 1864, p. 38.
Web links
- James K. Sanborn: First sergeant vs. master sergeant. In: Marine Corps Times. November 22, 2014, accessed May 24, 2017 .
Individual evidence
- ^ Robert K. Wright: The Continental Army St. Johns Press 2006, ISBN 1-944-9615-0X .
- ^ Army Digest: The Official Magazine Of The Department Of The Army , Vol. 22, No. 12, December 1967, p. 48
- ^ Preston B. Perrenot: United States Army Grade Insignia Since 1776. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform 2009, ISBN 1-448-6568-77 .
- ^ Emerson, William K. Encyclopedia of United States Army Insignia and Uniforms , University of Oklahoma Press, Norman - London, 1996, p. 14-15
- ↑ SAF Military Ranks - Specialists. Ministry of Defense Singapore, May 6, 2010, archived from the original on October 16, 2014 ; accessed on May 26, 2017 .