How To Become A Platoon Sergeant: What It Is and Career Path

What is a platoon sergeant and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

A platoon sergeant is the senior noncommissioned officer in a unit. A unit is usually composed of about 40 officers. He/She is the principal tactical adviser to the platoon commander and collaborates with the commander to establish training schedules. Asides from that, he/she reviews the readiness of the platoon and its members for combat. Platoon sergeants are tasked with running the training of the platoon. They oversee the daily routines of the platoon, including inspections, movement between training locations, rest periods, and other activities.

As a platoon sergeant, you must hold at least the rank of a staff sergeant. You must be within pay grade E-6. You must have been in the force for at least four years. Your experience must include the practical application of acquired knowledge. You must possess communication, leadership, and analytical skills. Platoon sergeants earn an average salary of $59,246 per year. It varies between $40,000 and $87,000.

ScorePlatoon SergeantUS Average

Salary

7.5

Avg. Salary $95,863

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

10.0

Growth Rate 3%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

2.4

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.37%

Asian 1.78%

Black or African American 11.21%

Hispanic or Latino 15.64%

Unknown 3.93%

White 66.06%

Gender

female 6.42%

male 93.58%

Age - 47

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 47

Stress Level

10.0

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

7.3

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

4.6

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a platoon sergeant

Explore platoon sergeant education requirements

Most common platoon sergeant degrees

Bachelor's

41.9 %

Associate

30.8 %

High School Diploma

15.7 %

Start to develop specific platoon sergeant skills

Skills	Percentages
Safety Procedures	19.56%
Combat	14.75%
Professional Development	7.95%
Weapons Systems	7.71%
NCO	6.26%

Complete relevant platoon sergeant training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New platoon sergeants learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a platoon sergeant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real platoon sergeant resumes.

Gain additional platoon sergeant certifications

Platoon sergeant certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific platoon sergeant certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for platoon sergeants include OSHA Safety Certificate and Military Fitness Specialist Certification.

More About Certifications

Research platoon sergeant duties and responsibilities

Orchestrate squadron recognition programs, manage enlisted promotion recommendations and alleviate all airmen quality force issues.
Mentore and maintain accountability of soldiers within the platoon, providing positive guidance for their personal and professional development.
Train ROTC students during drills.
Award combat action badge for duty in OIF.

Prepare your platoon sergeant resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your platoon sergeant resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a platoon sergeant resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Platoon Sergeant Resume templates

Build a professional Platoon Sergeant resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Platoon Sergeant resume.

Apply for platoon sergeant jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a platoon sergeant job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams