1st Sergeant (E-8)

First Sergeant is equal to MSgt and acts as a senior Enlisted non-commissioned Officer in the USMC. As mentioned, their focus is on command leadership duties which include advising readiness of units at a Company level. 1st Sergeant is both a rank and a billet, every company has a single 1stSgt who aids their company commander in the daily operations of the unit, and serves as a representative of the commanding officer to all enlisted marines in the company.

To earn the title of Sergeant Major of Marines, a marine must be the pinnacle of the marine corps values, demonstrating the highest possible leadership position available to a enlisted marine. A marine SgtMaj must be selected specifically by Marine headquarters, and must be prepared for leadership at the battalion level and up.

1st Sergeants serve as company sergeants.