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First Sergeant





SINGAPORE


First Sergeant is a Specialist rank in the Singapore Armed Forces . First Sergeants are the most senior of the junior Specialists, ranking above Second Sergeant s, and below Staff Sergeant s. The rank insignia for a First Sergeant features the three chevrons pointing down shared by all Specialists, and two chevrons pointing up.

In combat units, First Sergeants are often given the responsibility for independently-operating detachments of support weapons. They are often given instructional billets as well.


UNITED STATES

In the United States, First Sergeant is the title given to holders of certain ranks and positions within the United States Armed Forces . While the specifics of the title may differ between the United States Army , Marine Corps and Air Force , all '''First Sergeants''' are Non-commissioned Officer s and can be identified by the presence of a "French Lozenge " (diamond shaped figure of four equal sides) on their rank insignia.


United States Army


In the United States Army , the rank of First Sergeant is above the rank of Sergeant First Class , below the rank of Sergeant Major , and shares the paygrade of E-8 with Master Sergeant ; the rank is abbreviated as '''1SG'''. Master Sergeants are laterally promoted to First Sergeant upon selection by the senior leadership at Battalion or higher depending on the location of the company in the Army Organizational Table. Upon reassignment to a non-First Sergeant billet, the soldier reverts back to their original rank of Master Sergeant. First Sergeants are generally the senior non-commissioned officers of company ( Battery , Troop ) sized units, and are unofficially but commonly referred to as "Top", "Top Kick", or "Top Hat", due to their seniority and their position at the top of the Company 's Enlisted ranks. They are also sometimes referred to as "Second Hat," in recognition that even though a company includes several Lieutenant s, it is more often the First Sergeant that the Company Commander will turn to when entrusting important responsibilities.


United States Marine Corps


In the United States Marine Corps , First Sergeant is one level below Sergeant Major and Master Gunnery Sergeant and is the next rank above Gunnery Sergeant . It is equal in grade to Master Sergeant , although the two ranks have different responsibilities. First Sergeant have a command responsibility while Master Sergeants have technical responsibilities. Unlike the first sergeant and master sergeant programs in the U.S. Army, no lateral movement is possible between the two ranks in the Marine Corps. In their annual performance evaluations, called "fitness reports," eligible Gunnery Sergeant s indicate whether they wish to be considered for promotion to Master Sergeant or First Sergeant. A First Sergeant is then eligible to be promoted to a Sergeant Major while a Master Sergeant would be on the promotional track for Master Gunnery Sergeant .


United States Air Force