| E-7 Staff Noncommissioned Officer, U.S. Marine Corps | |
Marine Corps Ranks »Gunnery Sergeant Rank •GySgt Pay •GySgt Rank History•Promotion Information
E-7 Gunnery Sergeant -Staff Noncommissioned Officer - U.S. Marine Corps Ranks
Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant
Gunnery Sergeant Marine Corps Military Ranks
Class | Staff Noncommissioned Officer |
Abbr. | GySgt |
Title | Gunnery Sergeant (last name)Informal: Gunny |
Paygrade | E-7 (DoD Paygrade) OR-7 (NATO Code) |
Basic Pay | $3,625/mo |
A Gunnery Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps is a specialized non-commissioned officer who manages firepower and logistics for a company-sized unit of Marines.
The rank of Gunnery Sergeant is unique to the Marine Corps, and was introduced in the 19th century. While serving aboard Navy vessels, Marine contingents were expected to help man the ship's weapons in gun crews of four to five marines. The leader of each gun crew was a specialized Marine who trained his gun crew in firing procedure, ammunition handling, and other essential skills. Recognizing the importance of this position, the rank of Gunnery sergeant was introduced and made permanent in 1899.
Today, Gunnery Sergeants in the Marine Corps infantry forces serve as fire and operations chief for a full company of 180+ marines. During company operations the company Gunnery sergeant coordinates weapons and indirect fire, manages firepower logistics, and works with the Company Commander on logistics and company operations strategy.
Promotion to Gunnery Sergeant requires a great deal of leadership skill and an excellent command of specialized knowledge of weapons systems and combat logistics. Junior Gunnery Sergeants may serve with smaller units of Marines then their more experienced peers, such as a weapons platoon of 30 Marines.
In many marine units, the Gunnery Sergeant is known informally by the nickname "Gunny" by his peers and superiors. Some Gunnery Sergeants may also welcome use of the nickname by their subordinates as well.
Gunnery Sergeant is the 7th rank in the United States Marine Corps, ranking above Staff Sergeant and directly below Master Sergeant.A gunnery sergeant is a Staff Noncommissioned Officer at DoD paygrade E-7, with a starting monthly pay of $3,625.
How do you become a Gunnery Sergeant?
A Gunnery Sergeant is most often promoted from Staff Sergeant (SSgt), although promotion from lower paygrades may occur with sufficient display of leadership and experience. Click here to learn more about promotion to Gunnery Sergeant.
What is the proper way to address a Gunnery Sergeant?
The correct way to address a Gunnery Sergeant named Mr. Smith is"Gunnery Sergeant SmithInformal: Gunny", or written as GySgt Smith.In formal situations, a Gunnery Sergeant should always be addressed by their full rank.
How much does a Gunnery Sergeant earn?
Basic pay for an entry-level Gunnery Sergeant with 2 or less years of experience is $3,624.90 per month.
A Gunnery Sergeant receives an automatic raise to their basic pay every one to two years.Basic pay is only a small percentage of a Gunnery Sergeant's final compensation package.
In addition to a monthly basic pay salary, a Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant may be eligible for multiple types of allowances and bonus pay including hazard pay, food allowance, and more.
For full details on the Marine Corps' Gunnery Sergeant compensation and retirement plan, visit the 2024 Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant Pay Chart. A full table of the Marine Corps' current paygrades are available at the Marine Corps Pay Chart.
Equivalent Ranks to the Marine Corps' E-7 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 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.
FAQs
Gunnery Sergeant (GySgt) is the seventh enlisted rank in the United States Marine Corps, above staff sergeant and below master sergeant and first sergeant, and is a senior non-commissioned officer (SNCO). It has a pay grade of E-7.
Is Gunnery Sergeant a high rank? ›
Gunnery Sergeant (GySgt) is the seventh enlisted rank in the United States Marine Corps, above staff sergeant and below master sergeant and first sergeant, and is a senior non-commissioned officer (SNCO). It has a pay grade of E-7.
How long does it take to become a Gunnery Sergeant in the Marines? ›
To advance to the rank of gunnery sergeant, you need six years TIS and three years TIG.
What is the Army equivalent of a Gunnery Sergeant? ›
A Gunnery Sergeant is an E-7, equivalent to a Sergeant First Class in the US Army, Master Sergeant in the US Air Force, and Chief Petty Officer in the US Navy and US Coast Guard.
How important is a Gunnery Sergeant? ›
Master Gunnery Sergeants serve as technical experts in their Military Occupation Specialty and offer leadership in their field to large Marine units like companies and battalions.
Why do Marines call each other Gunny? ›
Gunny is the nickname of a United States Marine Corps gunnery sergeant. It is also the nickname of: Soldiers and fictional characters with the nickname based on their military rank are excluded, as they are too numerous.
What is the average salary of a Gunnery Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps? ›
As of Jul 15, 2024, the average annual pay for a Gunnery Sergeant Of Marines in the United States is $56,879 a year.
What rank do most Marines leave at? ›
Junior Enlisted Marines have recently enlisted, working to hone their abilities and establish their principles. These are the first three enlisted ranks in the United States Marine Corps, with most Marines reaching the rank of Private First Class by the time they leave the Marines.
What does a retired gunnery sergeant make? ›
How much do retired gunnery sergeants make? - Quora. Generally, the rule is half of whatever your last paygrade was while on active duty. For example, if you made 50k a year on your base pay while active, you would get 25k a year in retirement. Half is, generally, what you get, after 20 years of service.
What rank should you be after 20 years in the Marines? ›
Marine Corps Enlisted Career Force Controls
Rank | Total Years Active-Duty Service | Total Years Reserve Service |
---|
E6 | 20 years | 20 years |
E7 | 22 years (HYT 20 years) | 22 years |
E8 | 27 years (HYT 22 years) | 27 years |
E9 | 30 years | 30 years |
2 more rowsOct 11, 2023
John Basilone (November 4, 1916 – February 19, 1945) was a United States Marine Corps gunnery sergeant who received the Medal of Honor for actions during the Battle for Henderson Field in the Guadalcanal campaign, and the Navy Cross posthumously for extraordinary heroism during the Battle of Iwo Jima.
Can a woman be a gunnery sergeant? ›
Master Gunnery Sgt. Shalanda Raynor first female in the Marine Corps, in her military occupational specialty as chief of Combat Camera, to achieve the rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant. First female Marines take Combat Leadership Test.
What are the duties of a gunnery sergeant? ›
GUNNERY SERGEANT – serves as their unit's operations chief, working with superior officers on training, operations, and tactical advising. MASTER SERGEANT – provides technical leadership as specialists in their specific MOS.
What is the most respected rank in the Marines? ›
In conclusion, the position of Sergeant Major in the Marine Corps is one of great responsibility and leadership. Sergeant Majors are highly respected and crucial members of the Marine Corps, responsible for providing guidance, mentorship, and leadership to junior enlisted personnel and officers alike.
What does the pineapple mean in the Marines? ›
Marine Corps fact of the day: the rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant depicts a pineapple. This is a reference to the prickly exterior and the digestive enzymes contained within the juice, making it a difficult fruit that eats you back while you eat it.
What comes after gunnery sergeant in the Marines? ›
The Marine Corps Staff NCOs are those career Marines serving in grades E-6 through and including E-9. The ranks include staff sergeant (E-6), gunnery sergeant (E-7), master sergeant/first sergeant (E-8) and master gunnery sergeant/sergeant major (E-9).
What is the best rank in the Marine Corps? ›
COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS – the highest-ranking Marine Officer, also a four-star general, serves on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
How do you address a Gunnery Sergeant? ›
What is the proper way to address a Gunnery Sergeant? The correct way to address a Gunnery Sergeant named Mr. Smith is "Gunnery Sergeant Smith Informal: Gunny", or written as GySgt Smith. In formal situations, a Gunnery Sergeant should always be addressed by their full rank.
What are the army ranks from lowest to highest? ›
The U.S. Army has 13 enlisted ranks: private, private second class, private first class, specialist, corporal, sergeant, staff sergeant, sergeant first class, master sergeant, first sergeant, sergeant major, command sergeant major and sergeant major of the Army.