Editing Master sergeant (section)

=== U.S. Air Force ===
{{see also|United States Air Force enlisted rank insignia}}
{{multiple image
 | width = 60
 | image1 = E7a USAF MSGT.svg
 | caption1 = Air Force master sergeant
 | image2 = E7b USAF 1STSGT1.svg
 | caption2 = Air Force master sergeant serving as [[first sergeant]]
 | image3 = E7 USAF MSgt 1967-1991.svg
 | caption3 = Obsolete master sergeant insignia<br />(until 1991)
}}

The seventh enlisted grade, ranking above [[technical sergeant]] and below [[senior master sergeant]]. It is abbreviated as ''MSgt''. Advancement to master sergeant is one of the most significant promotions within the enlisted Air Force and Space Force. At the rank of master sergeant, the airman enters the senior non-commissioned tier and transitions his or her duties from front line technicians and supervisors to operational leaders.<ref name="USAF">{{cite web |author=[[United States Air Force]] |title=AFI 36-2618, Enlisted Force Structure |date=23 March 2012 |page=5 |url=http://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a1/publication/afi36-2618/afi36-2618.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080625175458/http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/shared/media/epubs/afi36-2618.pdf |archive-date=2008-06-25}}</ref> An operational leader develops his or her leadership and management skills since this rank carries increased broad leadership, supervisory, and managerial responsibilities rather than technical performance.<ref name="USAF"/>

Per Air Force Instruction 36–2618, master sergeants do serve in positions as squadron superintendents, flight chiefs, section chiefs, and non-commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC). Air Force first sergeants occupy the pay grades of E-7 through E-9 and are referred to officially as "first sergeant" regardless of pay grade, and unofficially as "first shirt" or "shirt".

In 1991, the Air Force changed its NCO insignia so that a maximum of five stripes, or rockers, were placed on the bottom of the chevrons. The master sergeant rank insignia was changed by removing the bottom (sixth) rocker, and relocating it above as a single chevron, on top of the five lower stripes.  The single chevron above visually identifies Senior NCO status for E-7 master sergeants along with two chevrons above for E-8 senior master sergeants and three chevrons above for E-9 chief master sergeants in the Air Force NCO insignia. In 2015, the Air Force announced its promotion overhaul and newly established boards for master sergeant.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Losey |first=Stephen |title=First master sgt. promotion board begins May 27 |url=https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2015/04/23/first-master-sgt-promotion-board-begins-may-27/ |access-date=2021-06-20 |website=www.airforcetimes.com |language=en}}</ref>

==== Civil Air Patrol ====
[[File:CAP-OR-7.svg|thumb|50px|Insignia of a Civil Air Patrol master sergeant]]
The [[Civil Air Patrol]] (CAP), a [[non-profit corporation]] [[Congressional charter|Congressionally chartered]] to operate as the [[Auxiliaries|civilian auxiliary]] of the U.S. Air Force, has a quasi-military structure which includes the rank of master sergeant. The grade of master sergeant is below [[senior master sergeant]] and above [[technical sergeant]]. Former military enlisted personnel who held the rank of master sergeant in the [[United States Armed Forces]] may retain that rank as members of the CAP.<ref>{{cite web |author=Office of the National Commander – Civil Air Patrol |date=4 September 2018 |title=Memorandum for all CAP Members |url=https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/media/cms/ICL_1806_R201_4_Sep_18_865613378A514.pdf |access-date=26 September 2021 |website=gocivilairpatrol.com}}</ref>