What is the E-8 rank (pay grade) in the Marine Corps?

• A. Master Sergeant/First Sergeant
• B. Sergeant Major
• C. Master Gunnery Sergeant
• D. Sergeant

Answer: (A)

E-8 in the Marine Corps is held by two ranks: Master Sergeant and First Sergeant. After reaching Gunnery Sergeant at the E-7 level, Marines move up to E-8 by assuming one of these roles. They share the same pay grade, but have different duties: a Master Sergeant focuses on technical leadership and expertise within a specialty, while a First Sergeant serves as the senior enlisted adviser for a battalion or similar unit, handling welfare, discipline, and overall enlisted supervision. The other ranks listed map to different pay grades—Sergeant is E-5, and Master Gunnery Sergeant and Sergeant Major are E-9—so they are not E-8.