Connect with U.S. Marine Corps Sergeants (Sgt) on RallyPoint

In medieval European usage, a sergeant was simply any attendant or officer with a protective duty. Any medieval knight or military order of knighthood might have "sergeants-at-arms", meaning servants able to fight if needed. The etymology of the term is from Anglo-French sergent, serjeant "servant, valet, court official, soldier", from Middle Latin servientem "servant, vassal, soldier".

Later, a "soldier sergeant" was a man of what would now be thought of as the "middle class", fulfilling a slightly junior role to the knight in the medieval hierarchy. Sergeants could fight either as heavy cavalry, light cavalry, or as trained professional infantry; either spearmen or crossbowmen. Most notable medieval mercenaries fell into the "sergeant" class, such as Flemish crossbowmen and spearmen, who were seen as reliable quality troops. The sergeant class was deemed to be 'worth half of a knight' in military value.

A specific kind of military sergeant was the serjeant-at-arms, one of a body of armed men retained by English lords and monarchs. The title is now given to an officer in modern legislative bodies who is charged with keeping order during meetings and, if necessary, forcibly removing disruptive members.

The term had also civilian applications quite distinct and different from the military sergeant, though sharing the etymological origin – for example the serjeant-at-law, historically an important and prestigious order of English lawyers.

The United States Marine Corps has several ranks that include the title of "sergeant", the lowest of which is sergeant (E-5). Marine sergeants are the fifth enlisted rank in the U.S. Marine Corps, ranking above corporal and below staff sergeant, and are often referred to as the backbone of the Marine Corps.

Infantry sergeants typically serve as squad leaders in either a rifle or weapons platoon or as the platoon guide (i.e., assistant platoon sergeant) in a rifle platoon.

"The Marine Corps rank of sergeant (E-5) closely parallels that of the corporal in duties and responsibilities. In fact, the basic duties and responsibilities of all the non-commissioned officer (NCO) ranks never change. The major difference between the sergeant and the corporal is that the sergeant is in daily contact with larger numbers of Marines and generally has more equipment and other property to maintain.

Marine Corps sergeants are required to exercise an ever-increasing degree of maturity, leadership and professionalism. To a large extent, accomplishment of the ultimate mission -- success in battle -- depends on the sergeants' leadership and professional abilities."

Source:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergeant

Note: A Marine Corporal must check quarterly for cutting score point system updates. Once a Marine Corporal has made that quarters cutting score, they will check their Marine Online to see if the new rank has refreshed onto their account.

Once a Marine Corporal attains the rank of sergeant, promotions no longer derive from a composite and cutting score-based system; instead, they receive a Fitness Report, or FITREP (i.e., a formal written evaluation, grading attributes from appearance and bearing to leadership and technical proficiency).

Abbreviation: Sgt

Pay Grade: E5

How much do Marine Corps Sergeants make: 

Active Pay - $2,891.40 Per Month (5 years TIS)

Reserve Pay - $96.38 Per Drill (5 years TIS)

As a Marine Sergeant, your reporting senior is usually an officer of which ever rank occupies the first level of a commander billet within your platoon/ Shop or company.

As a Marine Sergeant, your reporting Officer is usually an officer of which every rank occupies the second level of a commander billet within your Company.

To learn more about a Sergeant in the Marine Corps, click the following links below: