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Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant

E-9 Staff Noncommissioned Officer, U.S. Marine Corps
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Rank badge of a Master Gunnery Sergeant E-9 Master Gunnery Sergeant - U.S. Marine Corps Ranks

Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant
Marine Corps E-9 Master Gunnery Sergeant Marine Corps Military Ranks
Class Staff Noncommissioned Officer
Abbr. MGySg
Title Master Gunnery Sergeant (last name) Informal: Master Guns
Paygrade E-9 (DoD Paygrade)
OR-9 (NATO Code)
Basic Pay $5,789/mo

Sergeant Major is the highest enlisted rank in the Marine Corps, and is equivalent in paygrade (but not in responsibility) to Master Gunnery Sergeant.

A Sergeant Major serves as the billeted senior enlisted advisor for the Marine Corps' largest units, including battalions and squadrons. As the senior enlisted member of their unit, Sergeant Majors serve as a bridge between the enlisted Marines and their commanders and assist in unit logistics, drilling, and disciplinary actions among their Marines.

Sergeant Major is the highest enlisted rank available to non-commissioned officers following the command career path. Most Sergeant Majors are promoted from the ranks of qualifying First Sergeants, who serve a similar purpose in smaller units such as companies and platoons.

Master Gunnery Sergeant is the 10th rank in the United States Marine Corps , ranking above First Sergeant and directly below Sergeant Major. A master gunnery sergeant is a Staff Noncommissioned Officer at DoD paygrade E-9, with a starting monthly pay of $5,789.

How do you become a Master Gunnery Sergeant?

A Master Gunnery Sergeant is most often promoted from First Sergeant (1stSg), although promotion from lower paygrades may occur with sufficient display of leadership and experience. Click here to learn more about promotion to Master Gunnery Sergeant.

What is the proper way to address a Master Gunnery Sergeant?

The correct way to address a Master Gunnery Sergeant named Mr. Miller is "Master Gunnery Sergeant Miller Informal: Master Guns", or written as MGySg Miller. In formal situations, a Master Gunnery Sergeant should always be addressed by their full rank.

How much does a Master Gunnery Sergeant earn?

Basic pay for an entry-level Master Gunnery Sergeant with Over 10 years of experience is $5,789.10 per month.

A Master Gunnery Sergeant receives an automatic raise to their basic pay every one to two years. Basic pay is only a small percentage of a Master Gunnery Sergeant's final compensation package.

In addition to a monthly basic pay salary, a Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant may be eligible for multiple types of allowances and bonus pay including clothing allowance, retirement benefits, hazard pay, and more.

For full details on the Marine Corps' Master Gunnery Sergeant compensation and retirement plan, visit the 2024 Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant Pay Chart. A full table of the Marine Corps' current paygrades are available at the Marine Corps Pay Chart.

Patch of a Master Gunnery Sergeant Equivalent Ranks to the Marine Corps' E-9 Master Gunnery Sergeant

To learn more about the Marine Corps' rank structure, see our complete list of Marine Corps ranks.

The Government civilian-employee equivalent of a Master Gunnery Sergeant is paid under the General Schedule payscale. For more details, see this Marine Corps rank to GS grade conversion table .

To see a list of military medals and decorations that can be earned by servicemembers in the Marine Corps and other branches of the military, see our list of military decorations and medals.