Sergeant major

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

United States Army

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.

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.

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.

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 most senior enlisted member in the U.S. Army. The current incumbent, since January 2004, is SMA Kenneth O. Preston.

Former Sergeants Major of the Army

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

United States Marine Corps

E-9 SMC insignia

Sergeant Major
of the Marine Corps
insignia

In the United States Marine Corps, Sergeant Major is not an administrative position (or "billet"); it is a military rank only. It 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.

There exists one post, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, which is unique. The holder of this post represents the most senior enlisted member in the U.S. Marine Corps. The current incumbent is John L. Estrada.

Former Sergeants Major of the Marine Corps

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

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).