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SERGEANT MAJOR OF THE ARMY
- There's only one Sergeant Major of the Army
- Epitome of what it means to be a Sergeant and oversees all Non-Commissioned Officers
- Advisor and consultant to the Chief of Staff of the Army (a four-star General)
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COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR (CSM)
- (Addressed as "Command Sergeant Major")
- A CSM's counsel is expected to be calm, settled, and accurate
- Supplies recommendations to the commander and staff with unflagging enthusiasm
- Sets standards on performance, training, appearance, and conduct of enlisted personnel
- Assists Officers at the brigade level (3,000 to 5,000 Soldiers)
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SERGEANT MAJOR (SGM)
- (Addressed as "Sergeant Major")
- SGMs experience and abilities are equal to that of the CSM
- Leadership is generally limited to those directly under his charge
- Assists Officers at the battalion level (300 to 1,000 Soldiers)
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FIRST SERGEANT (1SG)
- (Addressed as "First Sergeant")
- Principal NCO and life-blood of the company; provider, disciplinarian, and wise counselor
- Instructs other SGTs, advise the Commander and helps train all enlisted Soldiers
- Assists Officers at the company level (62 to 190 Soldiers)
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MASTER SERGEANT (MSG)
- (Addressed as "Sergeant")
- Principal NCO at the battalion level and often higher
- Not charged with all the leadership responsibilities of a 1SG
- Expected to dispatch leadership and other duties with the same professionalism
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SERGEANT FIRST CLASS (SFC)
- (Addressed as "Sergeant")
- Key assistant and advisor to the platoon leader
- Generally has 15 to 18 years of Army experience
- Makes quick, accurate decisions in the best interests of Soldiers and country
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STAFF SERGEANT (SSG)
- (Addressed as "Sergeant")
- Also commands a squad (9 to 10 Soldiers)
- Often has one or more SGTs under their leadership
- Develops, maintains, and utilizes the full range of his Soldier's potential
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SERGEANT (SGT)
- (Addressed as "Sergeant")
- Typically commands a squad (9 to 10 Soldiers)
- Has greatest impact on Soldiers because SGTs oversee daily tasks
- SGTs set an example and the standard for Privates to look up to and live up to
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CORPORAL (CPL)
- (Addressed as "Corporal")
- The base of the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) ranks
- CPLs serve as team leader of the smallest Army units
- Responsible for inpidual training, personal appearance, and cleanliness of Soldiers
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SPECIALIST (SPC)
- (Addressed as "Specialist")
- Can manage other enlisted Soldiers of lower rank
- Served a minimum of two years and attended a training for promotion
- People with a four year college degree can enter as a Specialist
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PRIVATE FIRST CLASS (PFC)
- Promoted to this level after one year or earlier by request of supervisor
- Begins BCT at this level with experience or prior military training
- Carries out orders issued to them to the best of his/her ability
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PRIVATE (PVT/PV2)
- Lowest Rank. A trainee who's starting Basic Combat Training (BCT)
- Carries out orders issued to them to the best of his/her ability
- (PVT does not have an insignia)
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