U.S. Marines: First Sergeant (USMC 1stSgt) [3D]

Introducing project “Military Insignia 3D”, featuring top quality military heraldry designs. Here you will find customizable apparel, accessories, custom postage and gifts decorated with rank insignia of a U.S. Marine First Sergeant (USMC 1stSgt). In the United States Marine Corps, First Sergeant (abbreviated 1stSgt) is one level above Gunnery Sergeant and one level below Sergeant Major and Master Gunnery Sergeant. It is equal in grade to Master Sergeant, although the two ranks have different responsibilities. A first sergeant has a command responsibility as a senior enlisted advisor, while master sergeants have technical responsibilities. Unlike the first sergeant and master sergeant programs in other branches, no lateral movement is possible between the two ranks in the Marine Corps; rather a gunnery sergeant elects a preference on fitness reports, which are considered before promotion. A first sergeant is then eligible to be promoted to a sergeant major, while a master sergeant would be on the promotional track for master gunnery sergeant. The grade of first sergeant initially appeared in the Marine Corps in 1833, when Congress created the grade of Orderly Sergeant; 30 billets for the rank were established. In 1872, the Corps replaced the title of orderly sergeant with the rank of first sergeant. The rank of first sergeant was another casualty of the rank realignment of 1947. It was reestablished in 1955.