How many years does it take to become a Master Sergeant?

There are no minimum time-in-grade requirements for promotion to E-7, E-8, or E-9, but soldiers must meet the following minimum time-in-service requirements to be eligible for promotion: Sergeant First Class (E-7) — Six years. Master Sergeant/First Sergeant (E-8) — Eight years. Sergeant Major (E-9) — Nine years.
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How long does it take to be master sergeant?

There is no minimum time-in-grade (TIG) requirement for promotion to the Army SNCO ranks, but candidates must meet the following minimum time-in-service (TIS) requirements to be eligible for promotion: Sergeant first class (E-7) -- six years. Master sergeant/first sergeant (E-8) -- eight years.
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How do you become a master sergeant?

SFCs generally have 15 to 18 years of military experience. Promotion is based on the competitive point system. However, they must have at least six years TIS to be eligible to compete for promotion to master sergeant or first sergeant. The E-7 grade pay range is $38,491 to $69,185 per year.
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How old are most master sergeants?

Sergeant First Class (E-7) - 32 (join + 13.6 years) Master Sergeant/First Sergeant (E-8) - 35 - (join + 17 years) Sergeant Major (E-9) - 39 - (join + 20.8 years)
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Is Master Sergeant a high rank in the Army?

Master Sergeant (MSG)

Sergeants Major are non-commissioned officers (NCO's) in the United States Army. They are the highest-ranking enlisted soldiers in the military.
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How I Got Selected For Promotion To Master Sergeant



How much does a Master Sergeant make in retirement?

(Army), Master Sgt. or 1st Sgt. (Marine Corps), Senior Chief Petty Officer (Navy) —with as little as 12 years of service. At that point, they will receive $4,657 per month. Troops who retire as an E-8 after 20 years of service will take home a monthly salary of $5,374 — or $64,488 per year.
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Do you salute a Master Sergeant?

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).
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What rank should you be after 20 years in the Army?

Amongst the enlisted ranks, retention control points (RCPs) restrict maximum time in service by rank. Staff Sergeant (E6) is necessary to serve 20 years and earn a pension.
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How many soldiers does a Master Sergeant command?

Sergeants typically command a fire team of around five Soldiers. Sergeants oversee Soldiers in their daily tasks, and are expected to set a standard for lower-ranked Soldiers to live up to. A staff sergeant commands a squad (nine to 10 Soldiers).
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Is Master Sergeant a high rank Marines?

Master Sergeant is the 8th rank in the United States Marine Corps , ranking above Gunnery Sergeant and directly below First Sergeant. A master sergeant is a Staff Noncommissioned Officer at DoD paygrade E-8, with a starting monthly pay of $4,739.
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Why are master sergeants called 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.
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Is Lieutenant higher than Master Sergeant?

The LT absolutely does not outrank the sergeant major or first sergeant.
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Does a first sergeant outrank a Master Sergeant?

So both Master Sergeant and First Sergeant are the same pay grade which is E8, however First Sergeant is senior to and outranks Master Sergeant. You can tell the difference between the two being that a Master Sergeants rank has 3 Chevrons and 3 Rockers, the First Sergeants is the same but with a Diamond in the center.
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What does master sergeant do?

A Master Sergeant is a senior non-commissioned officer (NCO) who serves as a brigade's NCO in Charge, equal in paygrade to a First Sergeant but with less leadership responsibilities than one. A Master Sergeant is often specialized in certain field or subject matter.
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Do you call a master sergeant sergeant?

Sergeant First Class and Master Sergeant are addressed as “Sergeant ______” (followed by their last name). 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.
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What is the highest military rank?

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.
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Why did the Army get rid of specialist ranks?

Elder goes on to explain, "In 1968 when the Army added the rank of command sergeant major, the specialist ranks at E-8 and E-9 were abolished", because they were notional rather than actual. "In 1978 the specialist rank at E-7 was discontinued and in 1985, the specialist ranks at E-5 and E-6 were discontinued."
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How much does an e9 make?

E-9 is the 9th enlisted paygrade in the United States military. The E-9 grade begins at 10 years of experience with a basic pay rate of $5,789.10 per month and a drill pay rate of $192.97 per drill. The civilian equivalent of this military grade is roughly GS-6 under the federal government's General Schedule payscale.
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What percentage of soldiers make E8?

By law, the authorized daily average of enlisted personnel in pay grades E-8 and E- 9 may not be more than 2.5% and 1.25%, respectively, of the number of enlisted members in a given Service on the first day of the fiscal year.
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Can you make sergeant in 4 years?

To make sergeant (E-5) requires at least 24 months in the service and 12 months as an E4-. In practice, most people spend a lot more time than the minimum of time getting up to these ranks. The typical sergeant in the Marines has anywhere from five to eight years of time in service.
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What rank do most Army 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.
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Can you live off of military retirement?

Can You Live Off Military Retirement Pay? The short answer is, yes, absolutely. But it takes a lot of planning to make this work. A good friend of mine, Doug Nordman, wrote the book, The Military Guide to Financial Independence and Early Retirement, and founded the website, The Military Guide.
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How do you say hello in military?

Errr... - (U.S. Marines) An abbreviated or unmotivated "Oorah". Often used as a form of acknowledgment or greeting. Yes, we really do walk around saying "Errr" at one another in the way normal civilized humans say "Hello."
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Is it disrespectful for a civilian to salute a soldier?

TLDR – Civilians should face the flag and place their right hand over their heart during the National Anthem. Saluting the flag is a gesture reserved for the military. While civilians can salute soldiers, many veterans consider it inappropriate or awkward.
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Who can be your first salute?

Who Gives You Your First Salute? Anyone of your choice, basically. Does one of the enlisted Sergeant Instructors impress you more than the others? Do you have any enlisted friends or relatives (even retired) who you would like to honor?
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