Sergeant

Sergeants are addressed by rank (and never as "sir"), as with the example "Sergeant Bloggins, come here." The use of the abbreviated term "sarge" is not tolerated. (On parade, the rank may be pronounced "s'r'ant," frequently during roll call.) In the Navy, the equivalent rank to the sergeant is the Petty Officer, 2nd Class (PO2). Sailors of this standing should addressed as "Petty Officer," or "P.O.". Sergeants in French-speaking units are addressed as "sergent"; the French translation of PO2 is "un maître de deuxieme classe" (m 2).

Presently, sergeants in the Canadian Forces are identified by an insignia consisting of three downward-pointing chevrons topped by a maple leaf. The emblem is worn on the upper part of both sleeves (excepting mess kit, when it is only worn on the right side) in most cases, including dress tunics and combat uniforms. The insignia may be affixed to an epaulet when worn with work-dress sweaters, parkas or flight suits. Air Force units use the same ranks as Army units.

Prior to the 1967 unification of the Canadian armed services, the rank insignia for sergeants consisted of three chevrons. An additional rank of staff sergeant/flight sergeant was used (denoted by three chevrons topped with a British Imperial Crown), but was phased out in 1967.

Examples of posts held by servicemen and servicewomen holding this rank include CQMS (Company Quartermaster Sergeant), Platoon 2IC (Second-in-Command), Company Clerk and Detachment Commander.

Master Corporal ← Canadian Forces Ranks and Insignia → Warrant Officer

Ser"geant (?), n. [F. sergent, fr. L. serviens, -entis, p. pr. of servire to serve. See Serve, and cf. Servant.] [Written also serjeant. Both spellings are authorized. In England serjeant is usually preferred, except for military officers. In the United States sergeant is common for civil officers also.]

1.

Formerly, in England, an officer nearly answering to the more modern bailiff of the hundred; also, an officer whose duty was to attend on the king, and on the lord high steward in court, to arrest traitors and other offenders. He is now called sergeant-at-arms, and two of these officers, by allowance of the sovereign, attend on the houses of Parliament (one for each house) to execute their commands, and another attends the Court Chancery.

The sergeant of the town of Rome them sought. Chaucer.

The magistrates sent the serjeant, saying, Let those men go. Acts xvi. 35.

This fell sergeant, Death, Is strict in his arrest. Shak.

2.

(Mil.) In a company, battery, or troop, a noncommissioned officer next in rank above a corporal, whose duty is to instruct recruits in discipline, to form the ranks, etc.

⇒ In the United States service, besides the sergeants belonging to the companies there are, in each regiment, a sergeant major, who is the chief noncommissioned officer, and has important duties as the assistant to the adjutant; a quartermaster sergeant, who assists the quartermaster; a color sergeant, who carries the colors; and a commissary sergeant, who assists in the care and distribution of the stores. Ordnance sergeants have charge of the ammunition at military posts.

3. Law

A lawyer of the highest rank, answering to the doctor of the civil law; -- called also serjeant at law.

Blackstone.

4.

A title sometimes given to the servants of the sovereign; as, sergeant surgeon, that is, a servant, or attendant, surgeon.

5. Zool.

The cobia.

Drill sergeant. Mil. See under Drill. -- Sergeant-at-arms, an officer of a legislative body, or of a deliberative or judicial assembly, who executes commands in preserving order and arresting offenders. See Sergeant, 1. -- Sergeant major. (a) Mil. See the Note under def. 2, above. (b) Zool. The cow pilot.

© Webster 1913.