Can you call a First Sergeant top?

First sergeants are generally the senior non-commissioned officers of company (battery, troop) sized units, and are unofficially but commonly referred to as "first sausage", "top", "top sergeant", "top soldier", "top kick", "first shirt", due to their seniority and their position at the top of the company's enlisted ...


How do you address a first sergeant?

First Sergeant are addressed as “First Sergeant _______” (followed by their last name). First Sergeants, like Master Sergeants, are E8s. However, First Sergeants serve in a leadership position. Sergeant Major through Sergeant Major of the Army are addressed as “Sergeant Major ______” (followed by their last name).

Why are first sergeant's called top?

When it came, the first sergeant, being the ranking enlisted man, got the first pick of the shirts. The second theory is that the first sergeant, being the most senior and usually the most experienced of soldiers, often collected more decorations and insignia than anyone else.


What do you call an Army first sergeant?

Sergeant First Class (SFC) is the seventh enlisted rank (E-7) in the U.S. Army, ranking above staff sergeant (E-6) and below master sergeant and first sergeant (E-8), and is the first non-commissioned officer rank designated as a senior non-commissioned officer (SNCO).

What do you call a sergeant first class?

A sergeant first class (SFC) is a senior NCO who typically serves as a key assistant and adviser to a platoon leader. This is a duty position, not a rank. Also known as “platoon sergeants,” they lead the platoon in the commanding lieutenant's absence.


When You Talk To An Officer You Say 'Sir' - Captain Speirs - Band of Brothers HBO Mini-Series



What is higher than a first sergeant?

The master sergeant is the principal noncommissioned officer at the battalion level and higher. The first sergeant is the principal NCO and life-blood of a company. He is the disciplinarian and counselor. He instructs other sergeants, advises the commander and helps train all enlisted Soldiers.

Do Marines call first sergeant top?

In the Army and Marines, the First Sergeant is often referred to as "Top," or "Top Kick." Why is this so offensive for some? "In setting up the American Army, General Washington relied heavily on the talents of General Baron Von Steuben.

Do you salute first sergeant?

Nobody salutes a sergeant first. Sergeants are non-commissioned officers. Those in grades below them do not salute them. Warrant officers and commissioned officers return salutes from the sergeants.


What percentage of soldiers make first sergeant?

While an improvement over the 8.4 percent select rate in 2015, it still is well below the annual averages of 13 percent for sergeant major and 23 percent for sergeant first class over the past five years.

Is a first sergeant a master sergeant?

First Sergeant (1stSgt) and Master Sergeant (MSgt)

Although they share the same pay grade (E-8), they have different roles and responsibilities. The first sergeant has a command advisory responsibility while the master sergeant has more technical responsibilities.

Can you call a Master Sergeant top?

In the Marine Corps, master sergeants may be referred to by the nickname of "Top". This usage is an informal one, however, and would not be used in an official or formal setting. Use of this nickname by Marines of subordinate rank is at the rank holder's discretion.


What rank is called top in the army?

The highest military rank is O-10, or "five-star general." It is symbolized by five stars for each of the military services. Although it is currently a part of the military service rank system, no officer has been promoted to it since World War II, when the rank was created.

Do you say sir to a sergeant?

USE OF “SIR” and “SERGEANT”

“Yes” and “No” should always be accompanied with “Sir”/”Ma'am”. All NCOs will be addressed as “Sergeant” with the exception of the First Sergeant and Sergeant Major.

How old are first sergeants?

The average age of an employed sergeant first class is 46 years old. The most common ethnicity of sergeant first classes is White (68.7%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (15.8%), Black or African American (9.8%) and Unknown (2.6%). In 2021, women earned 95% of what men earned.


Do you salute sergeants?

All military enlisted personnel in uniform are required to salute when they meet and recognize a commissioned or warrant officer, except when it is inappropriate or impractical (for example, if you're carrying something using both hands).

What rank do most enlisted retire at?

It is reasonable to assume that the average enlisted member will be able to retire at 20 years, having achieved the rank of E-7, and the average officer should be able to retire at 20 years at the rank of O-5.

Is a first sergeant a drill sergeant?

Senior Drill Sergeants are the most senior NCO in a given training platoon, and are ultimately responsible for Soldiers within or under their authority. The only NCO more senior to these individuals at the company level is the company's First Sergeant, the senior enlisted leader and advisor to the company commander.


Do first sergeants get extra pay?

Army First Sergeant Pay

In addition to basic pay, First Sergeants may receive additional pay allowances for housing and food, as well as special incentive pay for hostile fire and dangerous duties.

Is it OK to salute a civilian?

The President, as Commander in Chief of the armed forces, is always saluted. Other civilians may be saluted by persons in uniform when appropriate, but the uniform hat or cap must not be raised as a form of salutation.

What are the 3 types of salutes?

There are several types of military salutes - the hand salute, the rifle salute at order arms, a rifle salute at right shoulder, and still another rifle salute at present arms.


What does it mean to be in 1st sergeant position?

First sergeants are the senior enlisted advisor to the commander, so they are in a position to make sure officers are aware of Soldier issues. They advocate for the rank and file, teaching them how to present themselves to get the right things done.

What do you call a Marine first sergeant?

First sergeants (E-8) and sergeants major (E-9) serve as senior enlisted advisors assisting the commanding officer in matters of discipline, administration, and the morale and welfare of the unit.

Why do you not call a Marine a soldier?

Marines aren't called soldiers because they aren't in the Army. Each branch of the military has its own mission, training, history, uniform, and esprit de corps.


Does a first sergeant outrank a lieutenant?

The LT absolutely does not outrank the sergeant major or first sergeant.
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