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Glite Dictionary
first sergeant

first sergeant

8 7.7
A senior soldier who helps manage a company and handles records and daily tasks
  • noun
  • /fɜrst ˈsɑrdʒənt/
  • Jargon
translation icon : sargento primero
  • The first sergeant felt ten feet tall, able to conquer Washington City single-handedly.
  • commander and first sergeant

Examples

  • Carr, the first sergeant of Company A, 1-2, is one of them.

    Blog text (15)

  • The new recruits quickly learned to respect the authority of their first sergeant during training.

  • You will address me as first sergeant.

    Private Valentine: Blonde & Dangerous (2008)

  • Pass the word to the first sergeants.

    Fort Apache (1948)

  • The first sergeant had already been in the controversial Vietnam War.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • I know a first sergeant in the Corps who owes me a favor or two.

    This Christmas (2007)

  • Told by the first sergeant to dig in, they kept an eye out for mines and booby traps.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • Over the booming sounds of the incoming mortars, the first sergeant shouted orders, "Watch west for the first wave, kiddies!"

    Fiction book (2000)

  • Twenty-three company commanders and first sergeants interviewed reported that they spend one-third or more of their daily time handling the personal problems, mostly family-related, of their soldiers.

    Academic text (2001)

  • In the Army, the first sergeant is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the unit.

Synonyms

orderly sergeant
vsfirst sergeant
  • Archaic
9.9

A senior soldier who helps an officer by passing orders and handling the unit's paperwork

is the modern rank above staff sergeant focused on unit administrative responsibilities

How Senior

sergeant major
  • Specialized
7 6.1
master sergeant
  • Specialized
7 6.0
first sergeant
  • Jargon
8 7.7
sergeant
422 3.9
staff sergeant
  • Specialized
14 3.5

Surface Forms

first sergeant singular
first sergeants plural

Morphology

first + sergeant

The noun combines 'first' (highest/preceding) with 'sergeant', so a learner who knows both words can infer it refers to a senior or primary sergeant (a higher-ranking NCO). However, the exact rank position, formal status and specific administrative duties are conventional military knowledge and not fully predictable from the parts, so it is only partially transparent.

Etymology

The title first sergeant began as a simple label: the first sergeant in a company, the main sergeant who looked after the people and daily tasks. Because this sergeant handled orders and paperwork, first sergeant now means the senior sergeant who is 'in charge' of a unit's daily work.