It has been suggested that Company Sergeant Major be merged into this article or section. (Discuss)

It has been suggested that Regimental sergeant major be merged into this article or section. (Discuss)

A sergeant major is a senior non-commissioned officer or warrant officer, depending on the country and military service in question. Image File history File links Please see the file description page for further information. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Sergeant Major. ... Image File history File links Please see the file description page for further information. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Sergeant Major. ... A non-commissioned officer (sometimes noncommissioned officer), also known as an NCO or noncom, is a non-commissioned member of an armed force who has been given authority by a commissioned officer. ... A Warrant Officer (WO) is a member of a military organization holding one of a specific group of ranks. ...

Canada

Sergeant-Major is no longer a rank, but is the senior non-commissioned appointment in an army unit. The sergeant-major of a unit is normally directly responsible to the Commanding Officer (CO) for all matters pertaining to dress, deportment, discipline, and morale of the [non-commissioned members (NCMs) of that unit. A non-commissioned member (NCM), in the Canadian Forces, is defined in the Queens Regulations and Orders as: … any person, other than an officer, who is enrolled in, or who pursuant to law is attached or seconded otherwise than as an officer to, the Canadian Forces… Thus, an NCM... In military organizations, the commanding officer (CO) is the officer in command of a military unit. ...

The Regimental Sergeant-Major (RSM) is the senior appointment in a battalion-sized unit, including infantry battalions and artillery, armoured, engineer, and signal regiments; this appointment is normally held by a Chief Warrant Officer (CWO). Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) is an appointment held by Warrant Officers Class 1 in the British Army and Royal Marines. ... Symbol of the Austrian 14th Armoured Battalion in NATO code In military terminology, a battalion consists of two to six companies typically commanded by a lieutenant colonel. ... A warrant officer (WO) or a chief warrant officer (CWO) is a member of a military organization, with a rank subordinate to other commissioned officers and senior to noncommissioned officers. ...

In company-sized units, the Company Sergeant-Major (CSM) generally holds the rank of Master Warrant Officer (MWO), although in some cases it may be held by a Warrant Officer (WO). In artillery batteries, this appointment is known as Battery Sergeant-Major (BSM), while in units with a cavalry heritage (armoured, combat engineer, and signals squadrons), the term is Squadron Sergeant-Major. A company in the broadest sense is an aggregation of people who stay together for a common purpose. ... Company Sergeant Major (CSM) is an appointment held by Warrant Officers Class 2 in the British Army and Royal Marines. ... Master Warrant Officer or MWO is an Army and Air Force non-commissioned member rank of the Canadian Forces. ... A Warrant Officer (WO) is a member of a military organization holding one of a specific group of ranks. ...

In company-sized sub-units of battalions or regiments, the CSM (or equivalent) normally answers both to his or her Officer Commanding (OC) for matters pertaining to the Company in particular, and to the RSM on matters of concern to the RSM. Thus, in a Signal Regiment, the SSM of 1 Squadron (1 Sqn) would be report to the OC of 1 Sqn for all activities within that Sqn; he or she would also be responsible for drill, dress, etc matters to the RSM, who is responsible for such matters regiment-wide.

CSMs and their equivalents are normally addressed as "Sergeant-Major" or by rank; by subordinates they are thereafter as "Sir", "Ma'am", or "Warrant" (WOs) as appropriate. "CSM" ("BSM", "SSM") is a title normally reserved for use by the CO.

RSMs are never addressed as "Sergeant-Major"; they are addressed by rank or as "Mr (Surname)" or "Ms (Surname)", and thereafter by subordinates as "Sir" or "Ma'am". "RSM" is reserved for use by the CO.

In some unusual cases, a Chief Petty Officer 1st or 2nd Class may succeed to a Sergeant-Major position, especially in units which are not part of Land Force Command (such as Communication Reserve units), or units with a large number of "purple trades", such as service battalions. The forms of address generally remain the same, except that Chief Petty Officers are never addressed as "Sir" or "Ma'am", but as "Chief". Chief Petty Officer 1st Class or CPO1 is the most senior Naval non-commissioned member (NCM) rank of the Canadian Forces. ... Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class or CPO2 is a Naval non-commissioned member rank of the Canadian Forces. ... Canadian Forces Land Force Command (LFC) is responsible for army operations within the Canadian Armed Forces. ...

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Sergeant Major is a rank in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. It is the 6th level of rank, below Corps Sergeant Major and above Staff Sergeant Major. Royal Canadian Mounted Police heraldic badge. ... Staff Sergeant Major (SSM) is an appointment held by Warrant Officers Class 1 in the Royal Logistic Corps who are not Conductors or Regimental Sergeant Majors. ...

United Kingdom

Sergeant Major is no longer a rank in the British Army and Royal Marines, although it may be used in the title of various appointments held by Warrant Officers. In particular, the Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) (WO1) is the senior NCO of a battalion or regiment, equivalent to a Command Sergeant Major in the United States. The Company Sergeant Major (CSM) (WO2) is the senior NCO of a company, equivalent to a US First Sergeant. Equivalent terms are Squadron Sergeant Major (SSM) and Battery Sergeant Major (BSM). There are various other designations of Sergeant Major at both levels. The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. ... Her Majestys Royal Marines, usually just known as the Royal Marines (RM), are the United Kingdoms amphibious force and a core component of the countrys Rapid Deployment Force. ... A Warrant Officer (WO) is a member of a military organization holding one of a specific group of ranks. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Sergeant Major. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Sergeant Major. ... First Sergeant is the title given to holders of certain ranks and positions within the United States Armed Forces. ...

For the use of "Sergeant Major" as a form of address, see the articles on Regimental and Company Sergeant Majors, and that on Staff Sergeants. United States Military Staff Sergeant insignia (U.S. Air Force) Staff Sergeant is the fifth enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force, just above Senior Airman and below Technical Sergeant. ...

United States Marine Corps

Sergeant Major
(U.S. Marine Corps)
insignia Image File history File links Download high resolution version (414x696, 50 KB) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...

In the United States Marine Corps, Sergeant Major is the ninth and highest enlisted rank, just above First Sergeant, and equal in grade to Master Gunnery Sergeant, although the two have different reponsibilities. Sergeant Major is both a rank and a military "billet". Marine Corps Sergeants Major serve as the senior enlisted Marine in the Corps' units of battalion, squadron or higher echelon, to assist the unit's commander and to handle matters of discipline and morale among the enlisted Marines. United States Marine Corps seal The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is a branch of the U.S. military. ... First Sergeant is the title given to holders of certain ranks and positions within the United States Armed Forces. ... Master Gunnery Sergeant Insignia Master Gunnery Sergeant is the ninth and highest enlisted rank (along with the grade-equivalent rank of Sergeant Major) in the U.S. Marine Corps. ...

Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps is a unique position. This article is about a military rank and position. ...

U.S. military enlisted ranks Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_States. ... The armed forces of the United States of America consist of the United States Army United States Navy United States Air Force United States Marine Corps United States Coast Guard Note: The United States Coast Guard has both military and law enforcement functions. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Military service. ...
	E-1	E-2	E-3	E-4	E-5	E-6	E-7	E-8	E-9
Air Force:	AB	Amn	A1C	SrA	SSgt	TSgt	MSgt	SMSgt	CMSgt - CCM - CMSAF The United States Air Force (USAF) is the aerospace branch of the United States armed forces. ... Airman Basic is the lowest enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force, just below Airman. ... Airman is a term used to refer to any enlisted personnel in the United States Air Force or Other Ranks in the Royal Air Force (in which airwoman is also seen). ... Airman First Class (A1C) is the third enlisted rank in the United States Air Force, just above Airman and below Senior Airman. ... Senior Airman (SrA) is the fourth enlisted rank in the United States Air Force, just above Airman 1st Class and below Staff Sergeant. ... United States Military Staff Sergeant insignia (U.S. Air Force) Staff Sergeant is the fifth enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force, just above Senior Airman and below Technical Sergeant. ... Technical Sergeant insignia Technical Sergeant is the sixth enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force, just above Staff Sergeant and below Master Sergeant. ... United States Master Sergeant insignia U.S. Marine Corps Master Sergeant insignia U.S. Army Master Sergeant insignia U.S. Air Force A Master Sergeant is: the eighth enlisted rank in the United States Marine Corps, just above Gunnery Sergeant, below Master Gunnery Sergeant, Sergeant Major, and Sergeant Major of... Senior Master Sergeant insignia Senior Master Sergeant is the eighth enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force, just above Master Sergeant and below Chief Master Sergeant, and is a non-commissioned officer. ... Chief Master Sergeant is the ninth, and highest, enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force, just above Senior Master Sergeant, and is a non-commissioned officer. ... Chief Master Sergeant is the ninth, and highest, enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force, just above Senior Master Sergeant, and is a non-commissioned officer. ... CMSAF Chevron (1 Nov 2004 - present) CMSAF Chevron (Apr 1964 - 31 Oct 2004) The Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (CMSAF) represents the highest enlisted level of leadership in the United States Air Force, and as such, provides direction for the enlisted corps and represents their interests, as appropriate...
Army:	PV1	PV2	PFC	SPC - CPL The United States Army is the branch of the United States armed forces that has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. ... A private is a military soldier of the lowest military rank (equivalent to Nato Rank Grades OR-1 to OR-3 depending on the force served in). ... A private is a military soldier of the lowest military rank (equivalent to Nato Rank Grades OR-1 to OR-3 depending on the force served in). ... US Military In the U.S. Army, Private First Class is the third lowest enlisted rank, just above Private and below Corporal or Specialist (rank). ... Specialist arm patch (U.S. Army) Specialist is one section of the fourth enlisted rank in the U.S. Army, just above Private First Class and below Corporal. ... Corporal is a rank (equivalent to NATO Rank Code OR-4) in use by several militaries, police forces or other uniformed organizations around the world. ...	SGT	SSG	SFC	MSG - 1SG This article is about the rank of sergeant. ... United States Military Staff Sergeant insignia (U.S. Air Force) Staff Sergeant is the fifth enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force, just above Senior Airman and below Technical Sergeant. ... Sergeant First Class insignia Sergeant First Class (SFC) is the seventh enlisted rank in the U.S. Army, just above Staff Sergeant and below Master Sergeant, and is a non-commissioned officer. ... United States Master Sergeant insignia U.S. Marine Corps Master Sergeant insignia U.S. Army Master Sergeant insignia U.S. Air Force A Master Sergeant is: the eighth enlisted rank in the United States Marine Corps, just above Gunnery Sergeant, below Master Gunnery Sergeant, Sergeant Major, and Sergeant Major of... First Sergeant is the title given to holders of certain ranks and positions within the United States Armed Forces. ...	SGM - CSM - SMA This article is about a military rank and position. ... Sergeant Major of the Army insignia (U.S. Army) The Sergeant Major of the Army is a unique rank in the United States Army. ...
Marine Corps:	Pvt	PFC	LCpl	Cpl	Sgt	SSgt	GySgt	MSgt - 1st Sgt United States Marine Corps seal The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is a branch of the U.S. military. ... A private is a military soldier of the lowest military rank (equivalent to Nato Rank Grades OR-1 to OR-3 depending on the force served in). ... US Military In the U.S. Army, Private First Class is the third lowest enlisted rank, just above Private and below Corporal or Specialist (rank). ... Lance Corporal (LCpl or L/Cpl) is a military rank used by some elements of the British, Commonwealth, and U.S. armed forces. ... Corporal is a rank (equivalent to NATO Rank Code OR-4) in use by several militaries, police forces or other uniformed organizations around the world. ... This article is about the rank of sergeant. ... United States Military Staff Sergeant insignia (U.S. Air Force) Staff Sergeant is the fifth enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force, just above Senior Airman and below Technical Sergeant. ... Gunnery Sergeant insignia (U.S. Marine Corps) Gunnery Sergeant is the seventh enlisted rank in the U.S. Marine Corps, just above Staff Sergeant and below Master Sergeant and First Sergeant, and is a staff non-commissioned officer. ... United States Master Sergeant insignia U.S. Marine Corps Master Sergeant insignia U.S. Army Master Sergeant insignia U.S. Air Force A Master Sergeant is: the eighth enlisted rank in the United States Marine Corps, just above Gunnery Sergeant, below Master Gunnery Sergeant, Sergeant Major, and Sergeant Major of... First Sergeant is the title given to holders of certain ranks and positions within the United States Armed Forces. ...	MGySgt - SgtMaj - SMOMC Master Gunnery Sergeant Insignia Master Gunnery Sergeant is the ninth and highest enlisted rank (along with the grade-equivalent rank of Sergeant Major) in the U.S. Marine Corps. ... This article is about a military rank and position. ...
Navy:	SR	SA	SN	PO3	PO2	PO1	CPO	SCPO	MCPO - CMCPO - MCPON The United States Navy (USN) is the branch of the United States armed forces responsible for conducting naval operations around the globe. ... Seaman Recruit is the lowest enlisted rank in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard, just below Seaman Apprentice; this rank was formerly known as Seaman Third Class. ... Fireman variation Airman variation Seaman Apprentice insignia Seaman Apprentice is the second lowest enlisted rank in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard, just above Seaman Recruit and below Seaman; this rank was formerly known as Seaman Second Class. ... Seaman can be a generic term for sailor. ... Good conduct variation Petty Officer Third Class insignia Petty Officer Third Class is the fourth enlisted rank in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard, just above Seaman and below Petty Officer Second Class, and is the lowest form of non-commissioned officer, equivalent to a Corporal in... Good conduct variation Petty Officer Second Class insignia Petty Officer Second Class is the fifth enlisted rank in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard, just above Petty Officer Third Class and below Petty Officer First Class, and is a non-commissioned officer. ... Good conduct variation Petty Officer First Class insignia Petty Officer First Class is the sixth enlisted rank in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard, just above Petty Officer Second Class and below Chief Petty Officer, and is a non-commissioned officer. ... Chief Petty Officer is a noncommissioned officer or equivalent in many navies. ... Good conduct variation Senior Chief Petty Officer insignia Senior Chief Petty Officer is the eighth enlisted rank in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard, just above Chief Petty Officer and below Master Chief Petty Officer, and is a non-commissioned officer. ... Good conduct variation Master Chief Petty Officer insignia Master Chief Petty Officer Collar Pin Master Chief Petty Officer is the ninth, and highest, enlisted rate (E-9) in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard, just above Senior Chief Petty Officer, and is a non-commissioned officer. ... A Command Master Chief Petty Officer is the senior enlisted person in a United States Navy command structure. ... Good conduct variation Master Chief Petty Officer insignia Master Chief Petty Officer is the ninth, and highest, enlisted rank in the U.S. Navy, just above Senior Chief Petty Officer, and is a non-commissioned officer. ...

United States 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 First Sergeant, with a pay grade of E-9. The United States Army is the branch of the United States armed forces that has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. ... Military rank, or simply rank, is a system of grading seniority and command within military organizations. ... First Sergeant is the title given to holders of certain ranks and positions within the United States Armed Forces. ...

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 and larger. In military organizations, the commanding officer (CO) is the officer in command of a military unit. ... Symbol of the Austrian 14th Armoured Battalion in NATO code In military terminology, a battalion consists of two to six companies typically commanded by a lieutenant colonel. ...

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 First Sergeant. First Sergeant is the title given to holders of certain ranks and positions within the United States Armed Forces. ...

Sergeant Major of the Army is a unique position. Sergeant Major of the Army insignia (U.S. Army) The Sergeant Major of the Army is a unique rank in the United States Army. ...

History

In the 16th century, the sergeant major was a general officer. He commanded an army's infantry, and ranked about third in the army's command structure; he also acted as a sort of chief of staff to the army's commander. (15th century - 16th century - 17th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 16th century was that century which lasted from 1501 to 1600. ... General is a military rank, in most nations the highest rank, although some nations have the higher rank of Field Marshal. ... The term Chief of Staff can refer to: The White House Chief of Staff, the highest-ranking member of the Executive Office of the President of the United States. ...

In the 17th century, sergeant majors appeared in individual regiments. These were field officers, third in command of their regiments (after their colonels and lieutenant colonels), with a role similar to the older, army-level sergeant majors (although obviously on a smaller scale). The older position became known as sergeant major general to distinguish it. Over time, the sergeant was dropped from both titles, giving rise to the modern ranks of major and major general. (16th century - 17th century - 18th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 17th century was that century which lasted from 1601-1700. ... A regiment is a military unit, larger than a company and smaller than a division. ... A field officer is an army or marine commissioned officer superior in rank to a company officer but inferior to a general officer. ... Colonel is a military rank of a commissioned officer, with the corresponding ranks existing in nearly every country in the world. ... In the U.S. Army, Air Force and Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a commissioned officer superior to a major and inferior to a colonel. ... Major is a military rank denoting an officer of mid-level command status. ... Insignia of a United States Air Force Major General German Generalmajor Insignia Major General is a military rank used in many countries. ...

The full title of sergeant major fell out of use until the latter part of the 18th century, when it began to be applied to the senior non-commissioned officer of an infantry battalion or cavalry regiment. (17th century - 18th century - 19th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 18th century refers to the century that lasted from 1701 through 1800. ... Symbol of the Austrian 14th Armoured Battalion in NATO code In military terminology, a battalion consists of two to six companies typically commanded by a lieutenant colonel. ...

It is about this time that the U.S. and British histories of the title diverge, with the American Revolutionary War. Combatants American Revolutionaries, France, Netherlands, Spain, Native Americans Great Britain, German mercenaries, Loyalists, Native Americans Commanders George Washington, Comte de Rochambeau, Nathanael Greene William Howe, Henry Clinton, Charles Cornwallis (more commanders) The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), also known as the American War of Independence,[1] was a conflict that...

United States

The first official U.S. use of the term was in 1776, when a sergeant major was appointed to the headquarters of each infantry battalion of the Continental Army. In 1920, with the standardisation of the army's enlisted pay grades, it ceased to be a title of rank or grade. However, it survived as the job title of the senior NCO of a battalion, and was re-introduced as a rank in 1958. The appointment of Sergeant Major of the Army was created in 1966. Command Sergeant Major got separate insignia in 1968. Illustration depicting uniforms and weapons used during the 1779 to 1783 period of the American Revolution by showing four soldiers standing in an informal group General George Washington, was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army on June 15, 1775. ...

The U.S. Marine Corps got its first sergeant major in 1801. This was originally a solitary post, similar to the modern Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, but by 1899 there were five of them. The title was abolished in 1946 but re-introduced as a rank in 1954; the post of Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps was established in 1957.

United Kingdom

The British use of the term was formalised in 1797, when the sergeant major was added to the battalion or regimental staff. When chevrons were introduced as badges of rank, he wore four, later under a crown. 1797 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... You may be looking for information on: Look up staff on Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... This page is about the pattern or symbol called a chevron. ...

In 1813, cavalry regiments introduced the Troop Sergeant Major to replace the Quartermaster as the senior NCO of a troop; this required the existing position to be explicitly redesignated the Regimental Sergeant Major. Later, the rise of the squadron as the principal sub-regimental unit saw the corresponding introduction of the Squadron Sergeant Major (SSM). The infantry, however, hung on to the undifferentiated, one-per-battalion sergeant major until the eve of the First World War, when the introduction of the Company Sergeant Major forced them to adopt the RSM title as well. (As an infantry regiment could be, and usually was, made up of a number of battalions, one would logically expect the new title to be Battalion Sergeant Major rather than Regimental Sergeant Major: perhaps the infantry felt this would imply a lower status than their cavalry equivalents.) 1813 is a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... In the British Army, the Troop Sergeant Major (TSM) is the senior NCO in a Royal Artillery troop, usually a Warrant Officer Class 2. ... Quartermaster is a term usually referring to a military unit which specializes in supplying and provisioning troops, or to an individual who does the same. ... A troop is a military unit, originally a small force of cavalry, subordinate to a squadron and headed by the troop leader. ... A Squadron is a small unit or formation of cavalry, aircraft (including balloons), or naval vessels. ... Company Sergeant Major (CSM) is an appointment held by Warrant Officers Class 2 in the British Army and Royal Marines. ...

In 1881, the cavalry RSM and infantry Sergeant Major were among a number of senior non-commissioned positions that were confirmed with warrants, making them warrant officers. This was extended and rationalised in 1915, with the introduction of the new ranks of Warrant Officer Class I (WOI) and Warrant Officer Class II (WOII). RSM became an appointment of the former, CSM and SSM of the latter. 1881 (MDCCCLXXXI) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... In law, a warrant can mean any authorization. ... A Warrant Officer (WO) is a member of a military organization holding one of a specific group of ranks. ...

External links

• Official Site of the Chief Warrant Officer of the Army (Canada)
• Official Site of the Sergeant Major of the Army (U.S.)
• Official Site of the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps (U.S.)
• Former Sergeants Major of the Army discuss the position

See also

• Military rank
• Sergeant
• Comparative military ranks
• U.S. Army enlisted rank insignia
• U.S. Marine Corps enlisted rank insignia