What is the rank of Sergeant Major in the Marine Corps equivalent to in the Navy?

The rank of Sergeant Major in the Marine Corps is equivalent to the Master Chief Petty Officer in the Navy. Both ranks are the highest enlisted ranks within their respective services and carry significant responsibilities, including leadership and mentorship roles among junior personnel.

The Master Chief Petty Officer serves as a senior advisor to the command on issues related to enlisted personnel, similar to how a Sergeant Major functions in the Marine Corps. Both positions entail a high degree of experience and authority, as well as the expectation to uphold the standards and traditions of their service.

The other ranks mentioned do not reflect the same level of seniority or responsibility as the Sergeant Major. For instance, a Chief Petty Officer is a step below a Master Chief and does not possess the same level of leadership authority. Additionally, a Lieutenant Commander is a commissioned officer rank, meaning it is not comparable to the enlisted nature of the Sergeant Major or Master Chief. An Admiral, being a flag officer rank, is much higher and does not align with the enlisted structure that a Sergeant Major represents. Therefore, the comparison to the Master Chief Petty Officer accurately captures the positional equivalence in terms of rank and responsibility in the Navy.