What is "marechal-des-logis"

Maréchal-des-logis (literally translated as "marshal-of-lodgings") is a sub-officer rank used by some units of the French Armed Forces. It is traditionally a cavalry unit rank. There are three distinct ranks of maréchal des logis, which are generally equivalents of sergeant ranks in English-speaking armies.

• Maréchal des logis-chef (equivalent to sergent-chef). This is a superior rank to maréchal des logis and wears three chevrons, gold or silver.
• Maréchal des logis de carrière (equivalent to sergent). Wears two chevrons. A maréchal des logis is shortened to "margis".
• Maréchal des logis sous contrat. Wears one chevron. This rank is increasingly uncommon in the French military since the end of conscription.

Both ranks are roughly equivalent to a British or Commonwealth sergeant. The maréchal des logis-chef corresponds quite closely to the US use of the rank of staff sergeant.

The rank of maréchal des logis is used by the armoured cavalry, the artillery, the materiel, the commissary and the transport corps, all of the French Army, and by the '' Gendarmerie Nationale.