First sergeant (E-8)

How to read it

DA Pamphlet 670-1 describes the first sergeant insignia as three chevrons above three arcs with a pierced lozenge, an open diamond, between the chevrons and arcs. The Army’s ranks page calls the first sergeant the senior NCO in companies, batteries and troops, and the principal NCO of the company, who instructs other sergeants, advises the commander and helps train all enlisted soldiers; a company is normally commanded by a captain, with a first sergeant as the commander’s principal assistant. The Department of Defense lists the first sergeant at E-8, and Army Regulation 600-20 ranks the first sergeant above the Master sergeant (E-8) and below the Sergeant major (E-9).

Also searched as: 1SG, first sergeant army.

First sergeant or master sergeant?

Both are E-8 and wear three chevrons above three arcs. The diamond is the difference: the master sergeant has none. The Army Recruiting Command’s customs training says first sergeants, like master sergeants, are E-8s, but first sergeants serve in a leadership position.

What the diamond stands for

The Army’s Soldier’s Guide (TC 7-21.13) says the lozenge or diamond that marks a first sergeant is a mark of distinction, used in heraldry to indicate achievement.

How a first sergeant is addressed

As “First Sergeant”, the title of address in Army Regulation 600-20, where every other sergeant up to master sergeant is addressed as “Sergeant”.