It is advisable that those who are planning to join the United States Marine Corps know its ranking system to take an insight into the military branches and the progress of their career path as well. Now, let us walk you through an in-order list of the U.S. Marine Corps enlisted ranks. 

In general, Marine Corps Ranks for enlisted personnel are categorized into 3 levels as follows: 

  • Junior Enlisted Ranks (E-1 through E-3)
  • Non-Commissioned Officer Ranks (E-4 and E-5)
  • Staff Non-Commissioned Officers (E-6 through E-9S)

It should be noted that a Marine’s responsibility and contribution to the mission will increase when he or she steps up to a higher ranking. In other words, the higher your rank, the more responsibility you take. 

 

1. U.S. Marine Corps Enlisted Ranks: Junior Enlisted 

 

In the U.S. Marines Corps, junior enlisted personnel, who have recently enlisted, play an essential role in the Marine Corps mission. They mainly focus on honing their abilities such as leadership abilities, establishing their principles, learning new technical skills, following orders, looking out for their peers, and developing followership to become productive members of the Corps. Junior Enlisted ranks are broken into three levels: private, private first class, and lance corporal. Furthermore, almost all of the Marines reach the rank of Private First Class once they leave the Marines.

 

1.1. Private (Pvt)

  • Classification: Junior Enlisted 
  • Monthly basic salary: $1,833
  • Paygrade: E-1

Young Marines might earn the rank of Private right after graduating from basic training. The responsibilities of the privates are to adhere to orders and make every effort to become contributing members of the Marine Corps. Typically, the senior enlisted marine or marines with higher positions will instruct the private on what to do.

Moreover, most active-duty enlisted privates are promoted to private first class (PFC) by company commanders after holding this rank for 6 months. It should be noted that as long as you meet the basic promotion criteria, your rank will be advanced automatically to PFC 

 

1.2. Private First Class (PFC)

 

The U.S. Marine Corps Private First Class Insignia
The U.S. Marine Corps Private First Class Insignia
  • Classification: Junior Enlisted 
  • Monthly basic salary: $2,054
  • Paygrade: E-2

The second enlisted rank in the Marine Corps is Private First Class which was established in 1917. The PFC personnel’s duties are to apply their new technical skills and continue to learn and develop new skills as well. 

When PFCs have accomplished nine months’ time in service (TIS) and eight months’ time in grade (TIG), they might be advanced automatically to the rank of lance corporal. 

As Private First Class is regarded as the backbone of the Marine Corps, getting promoted to this rank is the first step toward becoming an essential part of the Marine Forces. 

 

1.3. Lance Corporal (LCpl)

 

The U.S. Marine Corps Lance Corporal Insignia
The U.S. Marine Corps Lance Corporal Insignia
  • Classification: Junior Enlisted 
  • Monthly basic salary: $2,160
  • Paygrade: E-3

The third enlisted rank in the Marine Corps is Lance Corporal, established in 1958 and first adopted by the Marines in the Indian Wars in the 1830s. Lance corporals’ jobs are to continue to apply the technical knowledge and abilities that they gained throughout their formal education, to acquire and develop leadership skills. Furthermore, if you want to move up the ranks and be bestowed the title “non-commissioned officer”, you must meet basic eligibility requirements and compete in a Marine Corps-wide, Composite Score Competition to prove your capability to address the demands of the next higher rank. 

>>> See Also: All Facts About The U.S. Marine Corps

 

2. U.S. Marine Corps Enlisted Ranks: Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) (E-4 and E-5)

 

The Marine Non-Commissioned Officer (also known as NCO) ranks of corporals and sergeants have vital roles to play in the Corps. 

NCOs take responsibility for the lives of their men in or out of combat situations. They are always devoted to the unwavering traditions of duty and their assigned mission. 

 

2.1. Corporal (Cpl)

 

The U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Insignia
The U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Insignia
  • Classification: Non-commissioned officer
  • Monthly basic salary: $2,393
  • Paygrade: E-4

Corporal is the lowest NCO rank who leads junior Marines. Corporals take on exercising an ever-increasing degree of maturity, leadership, and professionalism. Furthermore, they need to self-education, boost their leadership and mentorship abilities 

To get promoted, CPLs must have 12 months’ time in service (TIS) and 8 months’ time in grade (TIG). Corporals might move up to sergeants if they meet primary eligibility requirements, and compete in a Marine Corps-wide, Composite Score competition in order to demonstrate that they are able to meet the increased demands of the higher rank. 

 

2.2. Sergeant (Sgt)

 

The U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Insignia
The U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Insignia
  • Classification: Non-commissioned officer
  • Monthly basic salary: $2,610
  • Paygrade: E-5

In the Marine Corps, the sergeant rank has almost the same duties and obligations as the corporal rank. However, compared to the corporal, the sergeants take more responsibilities for a more significant number of Marines and a greater quantity of equipment as well as other property. In addition to taking increasingly responsible, Marine Corps Sergeants demonstrate their mature behavior. 

Furthermore, sergeants’ leadership and expertise play a crucial role in the success of the overall operation. To advance to the staff of NCO (E6-E9), corporals and sergeants must demonstrate to a centralized selection board that they are the best and brightest applicants. 

 

3. U.S. Marine Corps Enlisted Ranks: Staff Non-Commissioned Officer (SNCO) (E-6 through E-9)

 

Annually, prospective applicants are bestowed promotion to staff noncommissioned officers by a meeting of the centralized selection board. 

The Marine Corps Staff NCOs include staff sergeant (E-6), gunnery sergeant (E-7), master sergeant/first sergeant (E-8), and master gunnery sergeant/sergeant major (E-9). 

 

3.1. Staff Sergeant (SSgt)

 

The U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Insignia
The U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Insignia
  • Classification: Staff Non-commissioned officer
  • Monthly basic salary: $2,849
  • Paygrade: E-6

The Staff Sergeant is the first entry point of the Staff NCO ranking system. When the NCO steps up to the staff NCO rank, he or she must take on more responsibility and accountability. More specifically, SSgts are expected to use their greater experience to lead Marines and lesser-ranked sergeants. 

Furthermore, because staff sergeants usually supervise 40-50 Marines and one or more sergeants, they also take charge of the continued successful development of their subordinates in their section, squad, or team.

 

3.2. Gunnery Sergeant (GySgt)

 

The U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant Insignia
The U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant Insignia
  • Classification: Staff Non-commissioned officer
  • Monthly basic salary: $3,294
  • Paygrade: E-7

The backbone of the Marine Corps Staff ranks is the Gunnery Sergeant. GySgts are expected to make decisions quickly and accurately as well as set the example of leadership, and professionalism for their subordinates, and be charged with ensuring their subordinate SNCOs and NCOs are equipped, motivated, and trained.

To be a gunnery sergeant, a marine needs 6 years of TIS and 3 years of TIG. The gunnery sergeant’s duties include training, overseeing, disciplining subordinates, fostering the growth of other Marines, and upholding all military standards 

 

3.3. First Sergeant (1stSgt) and Master Sergeant (MSgt)

 

The U.S. Marine Corps First Sergeant Insignia
The U.S. Marine Corps First Sergeant Insignia

 

  • Classification: Staff Non-commissioned officer
  • Monthly basic salary: $4,739
  • Paygrade: E-8

The first sergeant and master sergeant share the same pay grade (E-8), though each of them takes on different roles and responsibilities. The former is responsible for advisory, whereas, the latter takes on technical responsibilities 

On the one hand, the first sergeant (1stSgt) is considered a principal enlisted adviser to the unit commander. A first sergeant represents outstanding leadership, a high degree of professional competence, and the ability to act independently. 

On the other hand, the master sergeants are considered technical experts in the field. They represent outstanding proficiency in the assigned MOS (Military Occupational Specialties), a high degree of leadership, the ability to supervisory and the capability to act independently as an enlisted assistant to the commander 

The U.S. Marine Corps Master Sergeant Insignia
The U.S. Marine Corps Master Sergeant Insignia

A first sergeant might be on the promotional track for a sergeant major, whereas a master sergeant might be promoted to a gunnery sergeant. 

 

3.4.Master Gunnery Sergeant (MGySgt) and Sergeant Major (SgtMaj)

 

The U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant Insignia
The U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant Insignia
  • Classification: Staff Non-commissioned officer
  • Monthly basic salary: $5,789
  • Paygrade: E-9

Although master gunnery sergeants and sergeant majors are compensated similarly, their duties are significantly different. 

On the one hand, the title “master gunnery sergeant” was established permanently in the late 1950s. The master gunnery sergeants work as technical managers at the battalion level or higher. They have exceptional MOS competency, outstanding leadership, and supervision. 

On the other hand, the title “ sergeant major” was first adopted in 1801 in the Marine Corps. The sergeant majors who have good leadership skills and an exceptionally high degree of professional competence are regarded as outstanding enlisted counselors in the U.S. Marine Corps. Therefore, they are not only in charge of supervising the personnel operations of a battalion or larger unit but also consult officers of all grades. 

The U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Major Insignia
The U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Major Insignia

Additionally, 10 years of TIS and 3 years of TIG are required for master Gunnery Sergeant and Sergeant Major. 

 

3.5. Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps (SMMC) 

 

Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Insignia
Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Insignia
  • Classification: Staff Non-commissioned officer
  • Monthly basic salary: $5,789
  • Paygrade: E-9S

The highest-ranking enlisted adviser to the Marine Corps commandant is the sergeant major of the Marine Corps, who typically serve for four years. This position was established in 1957. 

An SMMC plays an important role in communicating between the commandant and the enlisted Marines. More specifically, The Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps keeps tabs on enlisted life and reports any leadership concerns to the high-ranking officers, therefore, he or she is considered the commandant’s right-hand person. 

In short, the U.S. Marine Corps enlisted ranks in order are provided above. You should visit our site to learn more about the U.S. Marine Corps officer ranks or take our free ASVAB practice questions.