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The administrative position, '''Command Sergeant Major''', is the senior enlisted advisor to the [[commanding officer]] and carries with it certain ceremonial functions such as caring for the unit's colors. Additionally, they serve as monitors for and advocates of the enlisted men in the command. This position exists in units of [[batallion]] size or larger.
The administrative position, '''Command Sergeant Major''', is the senior enlisted advisor to the [[commanding officer]] and carries with it certain ceremonial functions such as caring for the unit's colors. Additionally, they serve as monitors for and advocates of the enlisted men in the command. This position exists in units of [[battalion]] size or larger.


An alternate usage of Command Sergeant Major is the senior NCO of a headquarters unit at battalion level or above; the soldier filling this position should carry the rank of Sergeant Major, but personnel shortages may, from time to time, force this sergeant major position to be held by a senior [[Master Sergeant]].
An alternate usage of Command Sergeant Major is the senior NCO of a headquarters unit at battalion level or above; the soldier filling this position should carry the rank of Sergeant Major, but personnel shortages may, from time to time, force this sergeant major position to be held by a senior [[Master Sergeant]].

Revision as of 21:21, 2 January 2005

This article is about a military rank and position. There is also a fish called the Sergeant Major (Abudefduf saxatilis)

A sergeant major is a senior non-commissioned officer or warrant officer, depending on the country and military service in question.

United States Army

E-9 insignia
Sergeant Major insignia
(U.S. Army)

In the U.S. Army, Sergeant Major refers to both a military rank and to a specific administrative position. The rank refers to the highest enlisted rank, just above Master Sergeant, with a pay grade of E-9.

E-9 COMM insignia
Command
Sergeant Major insignia
(U.S. Army)

The administrative position, Command Sergeant Major, is the senior enlisted advisor to the commanding officer and carries with it certain ceremonial functions such as caring for the unit's colors. Additionally, they serve as monitors for and advocates of the enlisted men in the command. This position exists in units of battalion size or larger.

An alternate usage of Command Sergeant Major is the senior NCO of a headquarters unit at battalion level or above; the soldier filling this position should carry the rank of Sergeant Major, but personnel shortages may, from time to time, force this sergeant major position to be held by a senior Master Sergeant.

E-9 SMA insignia
Sergeant Major of the
Army insignia
(U.S. Army)

There exists one post, Sergeant Major of the Army, which is unique. The holder of this post is the senior enlisted member of the U.S. Army. The current SMA, since January 2004, is SMA Kenneth O. Preston.

Former Sergeants Major of the Army

  1. William O. Wooldridge (July 1966 - August 1968)
  2. George W. Dunaway (September 1968 - September 1970)
  3. Silas L. Copeland (October 1970 - June 1973)
  4. Leon L. Van Autreve (July 1973 - June 1975)
  5. William G. Bainbridge (July 1975 - June 1979)
  6. William A. Connelly (July 1979 - June 1983)
  7. Glen E. Morrell (July 1983 - July 1987)
  8. Julius W. Gates (July 1987 - June 1991)
  9. Richard A. Kidd (July 1991 - June 1995)
  10. Gene C. McKinney (July 1995 - October 1997)
  11. Robert E. Hall (October 1997 - June 2000)
  12. Jack L. Tilley (June 2000 - January 2004)

United States Marine Corps

E-9 SMC insignia

Sergeant Major
of the Marine Corps
(U.S. Marine Corps)
insignia

E-9 sgtmaj insignia

Sergeant Major
(U.S. Marine Corps)
insignia

In the United States Marine Corps, Sergeant Major is the ninth and highest enlisted rank, just above Master Sergeant, and equal in grade to Master Gunnery Sergeant, although the two have different reponsibilities. It is not an administrative position (or "billet"); it is a military rank only.

There exists one post, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, which is unique. The holder of this post is the senior enlisted member of the U.S. Marine Corps. This position is currently held by John L. Estrada.

Former Sergeants Major of the Marine Corps

  1. Wilbur Bestwick (23 May 1957 - 31 Aug 1959)
  2. Francis D. Rauber (1 Sep 1959 - 28 Jun 1962)
  3. Thomas J. McHugh (29 Jun 1962 - 16 Jul 1965)
  4. Herbert J. Sweet (17 Jul 1965 - 31 Jul 1969)
  5. Joseph W. Dailey (1 Aug 1969 - 31 Jan 1973)
  6. Clinton A. Puckett (1 Feb 1973 - 31 May 1975)
  7. Henry H. Black (1 Jun 1975 - 31 Mar 1977)
  8. John R. Massaro (1 Apr 1977 - 15 Aug 1979)
  9. Leland D. Crawford (16 Aug 1979 - 27 Jun 1983)
  10. Robert E. Cleary (28 Jun 1983 - 26 Jun 1987)
  11. David W. Sommers (27 Jun 1987 - 27 Jun 1991)
  12. Harold G. Overstreet (28 Jun 1991 - 29 Jun 1995)
  13. Lewis G. Lee (30 Jun 1995 - 28 Jun 1999)
  14. Alford L. McMichael (29 Jun 1999 - 26 Jun 2003)

United Kingdom

Sergeant Major is not now a rank in the British Army and Royal Marines. Until the late 19th century, the Sergeant Major (who wore four chevrons, later under a crown) was the senior NCO of a battalion or regiment. In the late 19th century he was redesignated Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) and this in its turn became an appointment of the new rank of Warrant Officer Class 1 in 1915. RSM is still an appointment of WO1, equivalent to a Command Sergeant Major in the United States. The term 'sergeant major' is also used in various other warrant officer appointments, both at WO1 and WO2 level (e.g. Company Sergeant Major, equivalent to a US First Sergeant).

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