Gunnery Sergeant (GySgt) is the seventh enlisted rank in the Federation Marine Corps, just above staff sergeant and below master sergeant and first sergeant, and is a staff non-commissioned officer. It has a pay grade of E-7. Gunnery sergeants are commonly referred to by the informal abbreviation "gunny." This nickname is usually regarded as a title of esteem and/or cameraderie, and is generally acceptable for use in all situations except formal and ceremonial ones. Use of the term by lower-ranking personnel, however, remains at the gunnery sergeant's discretion.