Sergeant

Description

Sergeants command squads as a second in command. They allocate tasks and duties, supervise equipment, and ensure proper training of staff. They also advise commanding officers and perform support duties.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to sergeant:

station sergeant
drill sergeant
police sargeant
lance sergeant
warrant officer
ordnance sergeants
commissary sergeant
adjutant
army sargeant
quartermaster sergeant
colour sergeant
petty officer
staff sergeant
chief petty officer
chief non-commissioned officer

Minimum qualifications

High school diploma is generally required to work as sergeant. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

  • the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
  • the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
  • the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Sergeant is a Skill level 1 occupation.

Sergeant career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to sergeant.

army corporal
special forces officer
warfare specialist
infantry soldier
bomb disposal technician

Long term prospects

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of sergeant. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of sergeant with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

prison officer
juvenile correctional officer
coastguard watch officer
armoured car guard
bodyguard

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of sergeant.

Military code: The code language used in specific intelligence or military organisations and operations, how to use and decipher them.
Military combat techniques: The fighting techniques specific to military operations, using military weapons and equipment, and the regulations concerning military combat actions.
Military weaponry: The types of arms used by different military organisations, such as army, navy or air force and in different nations worldwide; the weapons’ aspects, damage potential and ways to defend against them.
Military drill: The marching techniques and use of weapons, and other disciplinary methods applied in military operations.

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of sergeant.

Lead military troops: Lead the actions of military troops on the field during a mission, either combat, humanitarian or otherwise defensive, compliant with the strategies devised prior to the operation and ensuring communication with other troops is maintained.
Manage troop deployment: Manage the deployment of troops to areas in conflict, or in need of aid, and oversee the deployment procedures. Manage the deployment of the troops within an area for specific missions, and ensure the troops and resources are allocated to the missions in compliance with tactical considerations and safety of the troops.
Advise superiors on military operations: Advise on the strategic decisions made by superiors on deployment, mission tactics, resource allocation or other military operation specifics, to help superiors reach a better decision and to provide them with any relevant information for a military operation or functioning of the military organisations in general.
Defend human rights: Protect human rights towards and between colleagues and also towards the civil populations one is in contact with.
Ensure compliance with types of weapons: Use different kinds of firearms and other types of weapons and their matching ammunition, in compliance with legal requirements.
Identify security threats: Identify security threats during investigations, inspections, or patrols, and perform the necessary actions to minimise or neutralise the threat.
Train military troops: Train military troops or people in training to join the force in drill, combat techniques, weaponry, regulations, operation procedures, camouflage, and other military practices.
Delegate activities: Delegate activities and tasks to others according to the ability, level of preparation, competence and legal scope of practice. Make sure that people understand what they should do and when they should do it.
Monitor military equipment use: Monitor the use by military staff of specific military equipment to ensure that no unauthorised personnel gains access to specific types of equipment, that everyone handles the equipment according to regulations, and that it is only used in appropriate circumstances.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of sergeant. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Geographic information systems: The tools involved in geographical mapping and positioning, such as GPS (global positioning systems), GIS (geographical information systems), and RS (remote sensing).
Camouflage: The different kinds of materials and specialised clothing used for concealment of people, vehicles or other equipment.
Surveillance methods: Surveillance methods used in the gathering of information and intelligence for investigation purposes.

Optional skills and competences

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of sergeant. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Operate radio equipment: Set up and operate radio devices and accessories, such as broadcast consoles, amplifiers, and microphones. Understand the basics of radio operator language and, when necessary, provide instruction in handling radio equipment correctly.
Provide humanitarian aid: Provide first-hand aid in dangerous or critical areas to the civilian population, such as handing out food and water, medical resources, setting up aid facilities, evacuation procedures, and ensuring the area’s security.
Use different communication channels: Make use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.
Use geographic information systems: Work with computer data systems such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Give battle commands: Give commands during a battle or similar confrontation with enemy units to guide the activities of the troops, ensuring the safety of the troops and success of the operation, and give these commands in a comprehensible manner compliant with guidelines, and in dangerous and stress situations.
Ensure equipment availability: Ensure that the necessary equipment is provided, ready and available for use before start of procedures.
Supervise the maintenance of military equipment: Plan and supervise the routine maintenance and repair work of military equipment and weaponry to ensure proper working order.
Handle surveillance equipment: Monitor surveillance equipment to observe what people are doing in a given area and ensure their safety.
Operate armoured fighting vehicles: Operate armoured fighting vehicles, such as tanks, armoured cars, air defense vehicles and troop carriers, using correct navigation systems and monitoring controls, as well as operating its weapons.
Perform search and rescue missions: Assist in fighting natural and civic disasters, such as forest fires, floods and road accidents. Conduct search-and-rescue missions.
Coordinate patrols: Coordinate the investigation and inspection of a certain area by assigning patrollers to routes and areas, establishing the area that needs patrolling, and coordinating the activities during the patrol.
Instruct in military duties: Give theoretical and practical classes to future soldiers concerning their military duties and activities.
Coordinate rescue missions: Coordinate rescue missions during the event of a disaster or during an accident, ensure that all possible methods are being used to ensure the safety of the people being rescued, and that the search is as efficient and thorough as possible.
Maintain operational communications: Maintain communications between different departments of an organisation, between the staff, or during specific operations or missions, to ensure that the operation or mission is successful, or that the organisation functions smoothly.
Patrol areas: Patrol a designated area, watch out for and respond to suspicious and dangerous situations, and communicate with emergency response organisations.

ISCO group and title

210 – Non-commissioned armed forces officers

 

 


 

 

References
  1. Sergeant – ESCO
Last updated on August 8, 2022