Senior Master Sergeants (E-8) serving as First Ser-geants (1st SGT) may wear their insignia of grade on shoulder marks that slide over the epaulets of the 50/50 acrylic-wool pullover sweater and the blue or white cardigan sweater. This authorization applies to all Senior Noncommissioned Officers SNCOs in the Air Force (enlisted grades E-7 to E-9) and quickly distinguishes them from Junior NCOs (E-5 and E-6) and Enlisted Airmen (E-4 and below), who wear metal grade insignia on the epaulets of sweaters.
In the Air Force, First Sergeant is not an actual rank or pay grade designation, but rather a job descriptor applied to SNCOs who work with local Commanders to address the needs and concerns of enlisted personnel before any problems can affect morale levels or impact the organization’s ability to carry out its mission. Because of the unique lozenge added to their insignia to differentiate them from Sergeants in the same pay grade but not serving in the 1st Sergeant role, the position is sometimes referred to as “Senior Master Sergeant with Diamond.”
More E-8 First Sergeant Insignia and Devices