Sergeant Facts for Kids

A Royal Air Force flight sergeant in England

A U.S. Army sergeant from the 29th Infantry Division in 2011.

A Sergeant is an important rank (a position of authority) used in many armed forces, police departments, and other groups that wear uniforms around the world. The word "sergeant" comes from the Latin word serviens, which means "one who serves." It came into English through the French word Sergent.

What is a Sergeant?
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What is a Sergeant?

A sergeant is a leader who helps manage and train smaller groups of people. They are usually experienced and have shown good leadership skills. Sergeants act as a link between the officers and the regular soldiers or police officers.

Sergeant's Role and Insignia

In the British Army, a sergeant (often called Sgt) wears three upside-down V-shapes, called chevrons, on their sleeve. These chevrons are a sign of their rank. A sergeant often leads a platoon (a small group of soldiers), a troop, or a similar group. They might also work in a special role that needs their experience.

Understanding the Lance-Sergeant

A Lance-Sergeant (LSgt) is a special kind of sergeant. Originally, this rank was given to a Corporal (a rank just below sergeant) who was doing the work of a sergeant. Today, you mostly find Lance-Sergeants in the Guards, which are special regiments in the British Army.

In the Guards and the Honourable Artillery Company, all Corporals are given the rank of Lance-Sergeant. They wear three chevrons, just like a full sergeant, which shows they are a bit higher in rank than "normal" Corporals. However, for most purposes, a Lance-Sergeant is still considered a Corporal. For example, they usually lead a section, which is a smaller group than a platoon. In the Household Cavalry, a similar rank is called a Lance-Corporal of Horse.

Old Spelling of Sergeant

For a long time, the official spelling of "sergeant" was Serjeant (Sjt). This spelling is still used by The Rifles, a regiment in the British Army. However, the modern spelling "Sergeant" became very common many years before World War II and is now the standard way to write it.