In the U.S. Army, MSG (Master Sergeant) is a senior enlisted rank, specifically pay grade E-8, ranking above Sergeant First Class (E-7) and below Sergeant Major (E-9), serving as a technical/functional expert and advisor, often at the battalion level or higher, with insignia of three chevrons over three rockers.
Master sergeant (MSG) is the eighth enlisted grade (E-8), ranking above sergeant first class and below sergeant major, command sergeant major, Sergeant Major of the Army, and equal in grade but not authority to a first sergeant.
Master Sergeant (MSG) First Sergeant (1SG) Master Sergeant (MSgt) First Sergeant.
E-8: Master Sergeant (MSG) -- Senior staff NCO, expert in MOS. E-8: First Sergeant (1SG) -- Company-level senior enlisted leader, key leadership position. E-9: Sergeant Major (SGM) -- Senior staff adviser at battalion or higher.
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.
As of Jan 8, 2026, the average annual pay for a Master Sergeant in the United States is $56,879 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $27.35 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,093/week or $4,739/month.
Enlisted Ranks
It is one of the Marine Corps Special Duty Assignments (SDA). You're basically security for US Embassies around the world, among other things. (This job is ONLY for Marines) It's a great opportunity if you like traveling. I got a friend doing MSG duty in Dubai, London, Japan and they all love it.
United States. 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).
They are deployed for 3 years and have the opportunity to serve at 3 of 181 locations in over 150 countries around the world. Over 50 of those locations are eligible for Hazardous Duty/Imminent Danger/Combat Tax Exclusion pay.
Marine Security Guard (LCpl-Sgt) Requirements
A Marine Security Guard (MSG), also known as a Marine Embassy Guard, is a member of the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group (formerly Marine Security Guard Battalion), a brigade-sized organization of the United States Marine Corps (USMC) whose detachments provide security at American embassies, consulates, and other ...
Perhaps the rarest rank in the United States Army, the rank and title of Chief Warrant Officer 5 (CW5) is given to those soldiers displaying unsurpassed mastery of the technical and tactical aspects of their chosen branch of military service.
To be eligible to be a candidate for a promotion for a master sergeant position you will need to have served 8 years in the service and have spent 24 months in your current grade (E-6). However, the average duty time before achieving a master sergeant role is around 17 years.
Officially known as 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta, Delta Force is America's most elite counter-terrorism and hostage rescue unit. Their missions are top secret—and always successful.
COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS – the highest-ranking Marine Officer, also a four-star general, serves on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Formed during World War I, it served until the mid-2000s when it was deactivated to make room for one of three light armor reconnaissance battalions. During the Vietnam War, 1/9 sustained the highest casualty rate in Marine Corps history. This earned them the nickname "The Walking Dead".
The United States Army is ranked No 1 in the world in terms of overall military power. Other top armies include those of Russia, China, and India, but the US remains at the top due to advanced technology and comprehensive capabilities.
Officers outrank ALL enlisted, no matter how long they have served. For example, an E-9 who has served for over 30 years will be outranked by a 22-year-old O-1 who is fresh out of officer training. That might seem surprising, but it's just the way the military works.
The Marine Raider Regiment (MRR), formerly known as the Marine Special Operations Regiment (MSOR), is a special operations force of the United States Marine Corps, which is a part of Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC).
E-9, master gunnery sergeant or sergeant major
For either rank, you must have 10 years TIS and three years TIG. A sergeant major serves as the principal advisor to Marine commanders.
Security Force duty is among the most challenging the Corps offers, and Marines who take on this opportunity must be highly-trained in advanced security procedures.