Marine Corps Rank Insignia

How we doing hard-chargers!!

Today we’ll discuss rank insignia in the Marine Corps, from the enlisted Private, all the way to the Officer General.

Enlisted

Still to this day we’re referred to as the backbone of the Corps, enlisted Marines with pay grades of E-4 and E-5 are non-commissioned officers (NCOs). While staff NCOs are most of the time career Marines serving in grades E-6 through E-9.

Together they work collaboratively  and are responsible to the commanding officer for the welfare, morale, and efficiency of Marines under them. The ranks of E-8 and E-9 each have two ranks per pay grade, with distinct responsibilities.

First sergeants (E-8) and sergeants major (E-9) serve as senior enlisted advisors  and they assist the commanding officer in matters  such as discipline, administration, and the welfare of the unit.

First sergeants serve as the senior enlisted Marine in a company, while sergeants major serve the same role in battalions, squadrons, or larger units.

Master sergeants (E-8) and master gunnery sergeants (E-9) provide technical leadership as occupational specialists in their specific MOS.

The sergeant major of the Marine Corps is the senior enlisted Marine of the entire Marine Corps, and he is personally selected by the commandant. The sergeant major of the Marine Corps and the Marine gunner are the only billets which rate modified rank insignia in place of traditional rank insignia.

WARRANT OFFICER

Warrant officers specialize in their respective fields, providing leadership and training to Marines in their military occupational specialty.

A warrant is approved by the secretary of the Navy for a sergeant (E-5) or staff non-commissioned officer (E-6 to E-9) to be appointed a warrant officer. Warrant officers become commissioned officers at the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 2, they serve as technical advisors, providing expertise to commands and organizations in their field.

A chief warrant officer serving as an infantry weapons officer also carries the title, Marine Gunner, which does not replace his rank. Marine Gunners replace the chief warrant officer insignia on the left collar with a bursting bomb insignia.

OFFICER

Commissioned officers are college graduates who have earned and accepted an appointment issued in the name of the president of the United States.

Their commission gives them responsibility of leading Marines as they defend the Constitution of the United States. Commissioned officer ranks are further subdivided into generals, field-grade, and company-grade officers.

The commandant of the Marine Corps and the assistant commandant of the Marine Corps are four-star ranks.

You may want to practice and go over this a few times, I say this because if you address a Marine, by the wrong rank (specifically a motard) you’re gonna be in for a very special treat. I give you my word…

Isaac J. Hall II

#SemperKill

BAH to increase in 2017

Good day Hard-Chargers!!

So this just in, Basic Allowance Housing (BAH) rate will increase to an average of $41 per month January 1. The calculation used to determine it shrinks the amount of housing costs it is designed to cover.

BAH is re-calculated yearly using a snap-shot of housing cost in each region. For 2017, the rate is designed to cover 97 percent of troops’ housing costs, which is a one percent drop from last year also the third step in a congressional plan to reduce rates by five percent over the next five years.

The rate also no longer covers the cost of rental insurance.

The Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) rate for 2017 will remain un-changed from 2016 at $253.63 for officers and $368.29 for enlisted personnel.

BAS is calculated based on the average price of food. BAH and BAS changes will be reflected in troops January 15th pay-check.

Troops in areas or pay-grades set to receive a BAH rate increase will receive the new, higher rate beginning in January.

Those who live in an area with a rate reduction for 2017 will be grandfathered into the old, higher rate until they leave the area or change rank.

If they are promoted and their new rank receives a lower rate, they will continue to receive their old, higher rate.

There are almost 2,000 troops stationed in Atlanta, Georgia, and they will see the largest increase in BAH for 2017 at 19 percent. An increase from $1,374 for an E-4 with dependents to $1,641.

Troops in Seattle will also see a major increase as well for their second year in a row. The average rate there will rise 13 percent for 2017. An increase from $2,073 for an E-4 with dependents to $2,373.

There are also areas facing larger rate drops for instance, Fort Huachuca, Arizona, where the rate will decrease by nine percent. Going from $858 for an E-4 with dependents currently living there to $789 for those new to the region.

Minot, North Dakota, also will face a major drop this year, with a rate decrease of 11 percent. Which goes from $1,308 for an E-4 with dependents currently living there to $1,170 for new residents.

Minot was the recipient of a 41 percent BAH increase in 2012 when flooding combined with an oil boom causing a major housing shortage.

I urge you all to please keep up with current events, you very well could be affected by certain things happening around us.

Isaac J. Hall II

#SemperKill

 

 

Master Gunnery Sgnt VS Sgnt Major in Marine Corps

Morning Hard-Chargers!!

So when a Marine makes Gunnery Sergeant E-7 he designates on his fitness report whether he’d like to be selected for 1st Sgt or Master Sgt.

 Gunny R. Lee Ermey

                 

The Marine Corps, will have the final say/decision and he may not get the one he wants. For the most part he will but this isn’t always the case.

There are MANY more MSgts than 1stSgts and many more MGySgts than SgtsMaj.

Former drill instructors usually become 1stSgts and former recruiters usually for the most part become MGySgts.

There are many exceptions to that very general rule of thumb though. See once selected to a track, you’re in it the rest of your career.

The Marine Corps, at one point allowed the new E-8’s to re-designate so a MSgt could become a 1stSgt or vice versa. Yeah that was then and it no longer applies.

The 1stSgt of a company is the senior enlisted adviser to the company commander, whom is a Marine captain.

A MSgt will work in the battalion operations shop (S-3) or at the Group level (higher HQ).

A 1stSgt can ONLY become a SgtMaj and a MSgt can ONLY be promoted to MGySgt. They are fixed tracks.

As a SgtMaj, he is the senior enlisted adviser to the battalion commander, whom is no other than a Marine LtCol.

A MGySgt will serve in the S-3 or on the group/wing/regimental/division staff. Each are leaders, but the SgtMaj is technically senior to the MGySgt if they both serve in the same unit.

 Marine Corps rank system

In the Army, this is not the case. An Army MSG E-8 is temporarily made a 1SG, from there reverts to MSG when his job is done.

Hope this answered your questions sir or ma’am. You guys take it easy and please continue your relentless support of our nations troops.

Isaac J. Hall II

#SemperKill

 

Pay Raise/Drawdown For Military

Good day everyone,

So I’ve gotten word from a few Marines that we’re getting a raise. The number seems to be 1.6 percent, while others say 2.1 percent. There will also be a boost of military end strength of 27,000.

Congress reached a budget deal with the White House last year. From there the defense spending bill was set to $580 billion.

** Pay Raise

The pay raise matches the expected jump in private sector jobs for 2017. It actually goes against the the White House’s plan for a 1.6 percent increase next year.

Lawmakers feel there is a possibility for the president to override the higher figure. It is also thought that the president would go with the Pentagons preferred raise.

A 1.6 percent pay raise in 2017 would be the highest for troops since 2013. It would also continue a six year continuation of military pay hikes below 2.0 percent. Defense officials are rather ok with the lower than expected raise. It will save the department more than $300 million in 2017, that’s equivalent to $2.2 billion for the next five years.

It’s said that lower level troops, will see bigger salaries starting January of 2017. 1.6 percent raise is an increase of $400.00 yearly for enlisted, and up to $1500.00 for officers.  The difference in the pay plans will have a major effect on families finances. The gap within the White House pay raise plan as well as the 2.1 percent boost for those of E-4 rank with three years service will be about $130.00 a year. An E-7 with 10 years will be about $220.00.

Military pay wont keep up with private sector wages and cost. Advocates predict that the pay gap between civilian paychecks and military salaries will increase to 5% if this plan with the White House actually becomes law.

** End strength

The U.S. Marine Corps, Army, Air Force will all see end strength boosts over current levels.

Under the House plan, Army end strength will increase from 475,000 to 480,000 soldiers. Many have scrutinized the drawdown, saying the military will be potentially unprepared.

Our brothers in the Marine Corps will increase by 1,000 troops under the House, rather than dropping from 184,000 to 182,000 under White House proposals. Air Force will increase by 285 individuals rather than drop nearly 4000 to 317,000.

Navy is expected to drop from 329,000 to 322,900 by fall of 2017.

**Lawmakers

There is also a Pentagon-led overhaul of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. This includes changes that expand the statute of limitations for child abuse offenses.

Changes are also in effect for the code. This includes improper use of government computers and even more penalties for individuals who victimize recruits and trainees.

A provision was included to develop more advanced personal protective equipment systems. This includes gender-appropriate sizing of body armor.

Language  was added which would allow Women Airforce Service Pilots. Who served honorably during World War II, to have their remains buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

The full House is expected to vote on the authorization bill early May. Senate lawmakers are expected to offer their first drafts of the legislation around the same time. (should be interesting)

Leaders from both chambers have shown optimism due to a final authorization bill being sent to the president before the end of the fiscal year. (Sept. 30) However, that has only happened a few times in the last three decades.

Isaac J. Hall II

Semper Kill