serjeant

Serjeant, also spelled sergeant, is a non-commissioned officer (NCO) rank in many military forces. A serjeant typically commands or supervises a small unit, such as a squad or section, and acts as the main link between enlisted personnel and commissioned officers. Duties commonly include leading training, enforcing discipline, maintaining equipment, and conveying orders. The exact responsibilities and insignia vary by country and service, but the rank generally sits above corporal and below more senior NCOs such as staff sergeant or sergeant major.

Origins and spelling: The term derives from Old French serjent, with roots in Latin serviens meaning “servant” or “attendant.” In English, the spelling “serjeant” was commonly used in earlier periods; today most militaries spell it “sergeant.” The variant spelling persists in ceremonial or formal contexts, particularly in the title Serjeant-at-Arms, the ceremonial officer of the Parliament of the United Kingdom and some Commonwealth legislatures.

Variants and usage: In modern armed forces, the equivalent rank and its position in the NCO ladder can vary by country and service branch. While many forces use the spelling “sergeant,” the historic or ceremonial form “serjeant” remains visible in certain official titles and historical texts. The term has also entered parliamentary tradition through the office of Serjeant-at-Arms.