What is the next rank after C/Sergeant Major?

• A. C/First Sergeant
• B. C/Gunnery Sergeant
• C. C/Staff Sergeant
• D. C/Captain

Answer: (A)

Understanding cadet rank progression helps you see why First Sergeant is the next step after Sergeant Major. In the cadet noncommissioned officer ladder, Sergeant Major is the senior enlisted billet, and the next higher leadership role is First Sergeant, a senior NCO position at the company level. A First Sergeant acts as the senior enlisted advisor to the company commander and oversees training, discipline, morale, and readiness—representing the next level of responsibility beyond Sergeant Major. The other options aren’t the next step: Gunnery Sergeant and Staff Sergeant are lower enlisted ranks, and Captain is an officer rank, which follows a different path. So the next rank after Sergeant Major is First Sergeant.