Which rank pair is listed for the E-8 pay grade?

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

Answer: (A)

Understanding how pay grades map to ranks helps you see why one pay level can include two different titles. For the E-8 pay grade, the paired ranks are Master Sergeant and First Sergeant. Both share the same pay grade, but they have distinct roles: Master Sergeant is typically a senior technical or staff leader, while First Sergeant focuses on company-level leadership and the welfare of the soldiers. The other options correspond to different pay grades: Gunnery Sergeant is an E-7, and Sergeant Major and Master Gunnery Sergeant are E-9. So the pair that fits E-8 is Master Sergeant and First Sergeant.