The First Sergeants

THE FIRST SERGEANT

When you are talking about the first sergeant, you are talking about the life’s blood of the Army. There is no position more critical than that of first sergeant nor any question about its importance. When first sergeants are exceptional, their units are exceptional as the single personality involved. Perhaps their insignia should be the keystone rather than the traditional diamond as it is at the position of first sergeant at whom almost all unit operations merge. The first sergeant holds formations, instructs platoon sergeants, assists the commander and assists in training all enlisted members. In the field, the First Sergeant is the logistician, tactical consultant, radio relay station, convoy leader and leadership back up for the officers. The first sergeant is expected to deliver the unit to the correct location at the right time in fighting condition from the road march. This enables the Commander to move forward with his officers to conduct reconnaissance, planning and instruction during the time the unit is moving forward. 

The first sergeant may swagger and appear, at times, somewhat of an exhibitionist, but he is not egotistical, but proud of his unit and, understandably, wants others to be aware of his unit’s success. Ideally, he is the most technically and tactically proficient Noncommissioned Officer in the unit. 

For the first time, the title of address for this grade is not sergeant, but first sergeant!  There is a unique reservoir of respect that exists between the first sergeant and the commander not found at another level within the Army. The first sergeant does not always agree with his commander but once his case has been made and over ruled, he is duty bound to execute the Commander’s orders without regret or recrimination.

In the German Army, the first sergeant is known as “The Father of the Company”. He is the provider the counselor, the tough and unbending foe, the confidant, the sounding board, everything that we need in a senior enlisted leader in success or failure. The Father of the Company….

The Master Sergeant serves as the principal NCO in staff elements at Battalion and often higher levels. Although not charged with the enormous leadership responsibilities of the first sergeant, the master sergeant is expected to dispatch leadership and the same level of professionalism and to achieve the same results as the first sergeant.

Information courtesy of the U. S. Army