старшина́

fairly common #1528B2

nounmasculineanimatecountablefake feminine

1.
sergeant major, first sergeant, master sergeantmilitary
Старшина́ постро́ил ро́ту во дворе́.
The sergeant major lined the company up in the yard.
Highest NCO rank in the Russian/Soviet army; also used as the address form for the unit's senior NCO.
2.
petty officermilitary
Он слу́жит старшино́й на подво́дной ло́дке.
He serves as a petty officer on a submarine.
Naval equivalent of the army rank.
3.
(rare) elder, head, foreman
Старшина́ дере́вни собра́л всех жи́телей.
The village elder gathered all the residents.
Historical or in set phrases, e.g. старшина присяжных 'foreman of the jury'.

Usage info

старшина роты (from ро́та) appears to mean sergeant major.

Спонта́нные сове́ты городски́х старши́н постепенно переросли́ в оборони́тельные формирова́ния.
Ad-hoc councils of town elders slowly evolved into militias.
Старшина сидел в каптёрке весь день
The company sergeant major sat in the quartermaster's room all day.
Старшина, обмундировавший новобранцев, проверил их форму.
The sergeant major who had outfitted the recruits checked their uniforms.
Старшина гаркал на солдат весь день.
The sergeant major shouted at the soldiers all day.
Старшина отдал приказ солдатам построиться.
The first sergeant ordered the soldiers to fall in.
Наш старшина следит за порядком в роте.
Our first sergeant keeps an eye on order in the company.

⚠️ Stress change.