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A sergeant major is a senior non-commissioned officer or warrant officer, depending on the country and military service in question.
United States
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)
In the U.S. Marine Corps, Sergeant Major is a specific administrative position held by a Master Gunnery Sergeant.
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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