How long does it take to become a sergeant first class?
Christopher Davis
Updated on March 31, 2026
Sergeant First Class (Platoon Sergeant) (E-7) The platoon sergeant or sergeant first class generally has 15 to 18 years or more of military experience and is expected to bring that experience to bear in quick, accurate decisions that are in the best interest of the mission and the soldier.
How much does a sergeant first class make monthly?
A Sergeant First Class is a noncommissioned officer in the United States Army at DoD paygrade E-7. A Sergeant First Class receives a monthly basic pay salary starting at $3,114 per month, with raises up to $5,597 per month once they have served for over 26 years.
Is sergeant first class A high rank?
Sergeant First Class (SFC) is the seventh enlisted rank (E-7) in the U.S. Army, ranking above staff sergeant (E-6) and below master sergeant and first sergeant (E-8), and is the first non-commissioned officer rank designated as a senior non-commissioned officer (SNCO).
How long can a sergeant first class stay in the Army?
Promotable staff sergeants and sergeants first class will be still be allowed 26 years of service. Promotable sergeants first class will be allowed 29 years.
How much does an E 7 make in the army?
The average salary for an U S Army Sergeant First Class E7 is $66,459 per year in United States, which is 5% higher than the average US Army salary of $63,189 per year for this job.
How do you address a sergeant first class?
What is the proper way to address a Sergeant First Class? The correct way to address a Sergeant First Class named Mr. Garelick is “Sergeant Garelick”, or written as SFC Garelick. In formal situations, a Sergeant First Class should always be addressed by their full rank.
How do you address Sergeant First Class?
The correct way to address a Sergeant First Class named Mr. Garelick is “Sergeant Garelick”, or written as SFC Garelick. In formal situations, a Sergeant First Class should always be addressed by their full rank.
How much does an E7 make in the army?
What rank should you be after 15 years in the Army?
Sergeant First Class/SFC (E-7) This rank normally means the soldier has 15 to 18 years of military experience. This level is now considered as a senior NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer).
How old is a sergeant first class in the Army?
An SFC usually has 15-18 years of Army experience, and may be in command of as many as 40 soldiers in a rifle platoon or 18 soldiers and 4 tanks in an armor platoon. Sergeant First Class is the 8th rank in the United States Army, ranking above Staff Sergeant and directly below Master Sergeant.
Which is higher a first sergeant or a Master Sergeant?
The Master Sergeant’s Roles and Responsibilities – The Master Sergeant is the principal NCO at the battalion level, and often higher. Not charged with all the leadership responsibilities of a First Sergeant, but expected to dispatch leadership and other duties with the same professionalism.
How old do you have to be to be a platoon sergeant?
The platoon sergeant or sergeant first class generally has 15 to 18 years or more of military experience and is rightfully expected to bring that experience to bear in quick, accurate decisions that are in the best interest of the mission and the soldier.
How long do you have to be in the army to be a sergeant?
There is no minimum time-in-grade (TIG) requirement for promotion to the Army SNCO ranks, but candidates must meet the following minimum time-in-service (TIS) requirements to be eligible for promotion: Sergeant first class (E-7) — six years. Master sergeant/first sergeant (E-8) — eight years. Sergeant major (E-9) — nine years.