Which is the higher rank: a master sergeant or a first sergeant?What is the difference?

Answer 1

a master sergeant and first sergeant are the same rank, but a first sergent has command of a company and is the highest ranking NCO in the company at higher levels you have master sergeant positions

Answer 2

United States Army Ranking: Master Sergeant then First Sergeant

British Army Ranking: Sergeant then Colour Sergeant

Answer 3

In the Army, a master sergeant and first sergeant are both paygrade E-8.

In the Air Force, first sergeant is not a rank. It is a position which may be occupied by personnel in the grades of E-7 through E-9.

Answer 4

Gee, I wish I was back in the Army!

http://www.answers.com/topic/united-states-army-enlisted-rank-insignia

Answer 5

U.S. Military Ranks
http://militaryspot.com/military-rank.htm
A Master Sergeant is:

the eighth enlisted rank in the United States Marine Corps, just above Gunnery Sergeant, below Master Gunnery Sergeant, Sergeant Major, and Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps. It is equal in grade to First Sergeant. It is abbreviated as "MSgt." Master Sergeants in the U.S. Marine Corps provide technical leadership as occupational specialists at the E-8 level. General command leadership at this paygrade is provided by the separate rank of First Sergeant.
the eighth enlisted rank in the United States Army, just above Sergeant First Class and below First Sergeant. It is abbreviated as "MSG."
the seventh enlisted rank in the United States Air Force, just above Technical Sergeant and below Senior Master Sergeant. It is abbreviated as "MSgt." Advancement to Master Sergeant is one of the most significant promotions within the enlisted Air Force. At the rank of Master Sergeant, the airman enters the senior noncommissioned tier and his or her duties begin to focus on leadership and management rather than technical performance. Per Air Force Instruction 36-2118, MSgts typically serve as flight chiefs (analogous to platoon sergeants in the US Army) and section chiefs (leaders of duty sections within a squadron).
In the Marine Corps, Master Sergeants may be referred to by the nickname of "Top". This usage is an informal one, however, and would not be used in an official or formal setting. Use of this nickname by Marines of subordinate rank is at the rank holder's discretion.

All Master Sergeants are senior non-commissioned officers.

In the United States, First Sergeant is the title given to holders of certain ranks and positions within the United States Armed Forces. While the specifics of the title may differ between the United States Army, Marine Corps and Air Force, all First Sergeants are non-commissioned officers and can be identified by the presence of a diamond, called a "French lozenge," on their rank insignia.


[edit] United States Army
In the United States Army, the rank of First Sergeant (1SG) is above the rank of Sergeant First Class and below the rank of Sergeant Major and shares the paygrade of E-8 with Master Sergeant. Sergeants First Class are classified either to the command track (First Sergeant/Command Sergeant Major) or the Staff Track (Master Sergeant/Sergeant Major) when they apply to the promotion board. First Sergeants are generally the senior non-commissioned officers of company (battery, troop, team) sized units. They are also known unofficially as "Top Sergeant" or just "Top", due to the fact that First Sergeants are the most senior non-commissioned officers in an Army company, battery, or troop. They are also known as "Second Hat," in recognition that even though a company includes several lieutenants, it is to the Top Soldier that the Commanding Officer will turn when the time comes to accomplish something. Especially something dirty, nasty, or otherwise "beneath" the gentlemanly attention of an officer.


[edit] United States Marine Corps
In the United States Marine Corps, First Sergeant is one level below Sergeant Major and Master Gunnery Sergeant and is the next rank above Gunnery Sergeant. It is equal in grade to Master Sergeant, although the two ranks have different responsibilities. First Sergeant have a command responsibility while Master Sergeants have technical responsibilities. Unlike the first sergeant and master sergeant programs in the U.S. Army, no lateral movement is possible between the two ranks in the Marine Corps. In their annual performance evaluations, called "fitness reports," eligible Gunnery Sergeants indicate whether they wish to be considered for promotion to Master Sergeant or First Sergeant. 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.


United States Air Force
In the United States Air Force, First Sergeant is not a rank, but a special duty held by a senior enlisted member of a military unit who reports directly to the unit commander. This billet is held by individuals of paygrades E-7 through E-9 (Master Sergeant, Senior Master Sergeant and Chief Master Sergeant), and is denoted on the rank insignia by a diamond. Often referred to as the 'first shirt', or 'shirt', the first sergeant is responsible for the morale, welfare, and conduct of all the enlisted members in a squadron and is the chief adviser to the squadron commander concerning the enlisted force. Most units have a Master Sergeant in this position, while larger units use Senior Master Sergeants and Chief Master Sergeants as First Sergeants.

Answer 6

sweet