Pipe Sergeant

The Pipe Sergeant, commonly abbreviated as "P/Sgt", is the number two person in charge of the pipers in a Scottish pipe band or pipes and drums. In terms of seniority, the Pipe Sergeant is secondary only to the Pipe Major, who is the director of bagpipe music in a pipe band. A Pipe Sergeant shares much of the Pipe Major's responsibilities in tune selection, compilation and arrangement. He or she is responsible for tuning up the band before a performance.

The Pipe Sergeant position can be found in many civilian, para-military as well as military pipe bands around the world. In the British Army, the Pipe Sergeant position is an appointment and not a military rank. The position is normally given to a highly-capable piper who holds the rank of Sergeant or Colour Sergeant. In order to be considered for the Pipe Sergeant appointment in a British Army regiment, a candidate is normally expected to have obtained the Pipe Major's Certificate at the Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming. Once appointed, it is usually only a matter of time before the Pipe Sergeant is appointed Pipe Major of the Regiment.