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For other uses, see Sergeant Major (disambiguation).

A Sergeant Major is a rank or appointment in many militaries around the world. In the United States, there are various degrees of Sergeant Major (Command SGM, Sergeant Major of the Army), but they are all of the same paygrade. The Sergeant Major of the Army is a unique non-commissioned rank in the United States Army. A Pay grade is a unit in systems of monetary compensation for employment In Commonwealth countries, Sergeants Major are usually appointments held by senior non-commissioned officers or warrant officers. A non-commissioned officer (sometimes noncommissioned officer) also known as an NCO or Noncom, is an enlisted member of an Armed force A Warrant Officer ( WO) is a member of a military organization holding one of a specific group of ranks.

Contents

Canada

Canadian Forces

Sergeant-Major is not a rank, but the senior non-commissioned appointment in an army unit. A non-commissioned member (NCM in the Canadian Forces, is defined in the Queen's Regulations and Orders as "… any person other than an 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. 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 (WO1 in the British Army, the British Royal Marines and in A battalion is a Military unit of around 500-1500 men usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel "Chief Warrant Officer" in the United States Armed Forces refers to any warrant officer W-2 and above

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). A company is a Military unit, typically consisting of 75-200 Soldiers Most companies are formed of three to five Platoons although the exact number may vary A Company Sergeant Major ( CSM) is the senior non-commissioned soldier of a company in the armies of many Commonwealth countries responsible for standards Master Warrant Officer is a military rank in the Canadian Forces and the Singapore Armed Forces. A Warrant Officer ( WO) is a member of a military organization holding one of a specific group of ranks. 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 (SSM).

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. 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. Land Force Command ( LFC) is responsible for army operations within the Canadian Forces. In the armed forces of Canada the purple trades are occupations and careers &ndash typically related to logistics or other support &ndash that are not strongly linked to one of the A service battalion ( svc bn; French: bataillon des services or bon svc) is a unit of the Canadian Forces (CF that provides combat service support The forms of address generally remain the same, except that Chief Petty Officers are never addressed as "Sir" or "Ma'am", but as "Chief".

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Sergeant Major is a rank in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. While technically it is the 6th level of rank, below Corps Sergeant Major and above Staff Sergeant Major, it, along with the other two, are specialized ranks and not part of the normal progression, which would proceed from Staff Sergeant to Inspector. Staff Sergeant Major ( SSM) is an appointment in the British Army held by Warrant Officers Class 1 in the Royal Logistic Corps who are not

Singapore

In the Commonwealth tradition, Sergeant Major is an appointment held by senior Specialists (non-commissioned officer-equivalents in the Singapore Armed Forces) or Warrant Officers. A non-commissioned officer (sometimes noncommissioned officer) also known as an NCO or Noncom, is an enlisted member of an Armed force A Warrant Officer ( WO) is a member of a military organization holding one of a specific group of ranks. A Sergeant Major appointment exists in each military unit from company to division/formation. Their main job is to assist the commander in the discipline and welfare of the enlisted men. Being expert at parades and ceremonies, their authority and responsibility extends to officers on the parade square. An officer is a member of an armed force who holds a position of authority

See also: Company Sergeant Major and Regimental Sergeant Major

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. A Company Sergeant Major ( CSM) is the senior non-commissioned soldier of a company in the armies of many Commonwealth countries responsible for standards Regimental Sergeant Major ( RSM) is an appointment held by Warrant Officers Class 1 (WO1 in the British Army, the British Royal Marines and in The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. The Royal Marines ( RM) are the marine corps and amphibious Infantry of the United Kingdom and along with the Royal Navy A Warrant Officer ( WO) is a member of a military organization holding one of a specific group of ranks. In particular, the Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) (WO1) is the senior WO of a battalion or regiment, equivalent to a Command Sergeant Major in the United States. Regimental Sergeant Major ( RSM) is an appointment held by Warrant Officers Class 1 (WO1 in the British Army, the British Royal Marines and in The Company Sergeant Major (CSM) (WO2) is the senior WO of a company, equivalent to a US First Sergeant. A Company Sergeant Major ( CSM) is the senior non-commissioned soldier of a company in the armies of many Commonwealth countries responsible for standards First Sergeant is the name of a military rank used in some countries Equivalent terms are Squadron Sergeant Major (SSM) and Battery Sergeant Major (BSM), and REME have Artificer Sergeant Major (ASM). The Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers ( REME; pronounced phonetically as "Reemee" is a Corps of the British Army that has There are various other designations of Sergeant Major at both levels.

For the use of "Sergeant Major" as a form of address, see the articles on Regimental and Company Sergeants Major, and that on Staff Sergeants. Regimental Sergeant Major ( RSM) is an appointment held by Warrant Officers Class 1 (WO1 in the British Army, the British Royal Marines and in A Company Sergeant Major ( CSM) is the senior non-commissioned soldier of a company in the armies of many Commonwealth countries responsible for standards For the Brush-footed butterfly Species, see Athyma selenophora.

United States

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 United States Army is a military organization whose primary mission is to "provide necessary forces and capabilities. Military rank is a system of hierarchical relationships in Armed forces or civil institutions organized along military lines The rank refers to the highest enlisted rank, just above First Sergeant, with a pay grade of E-9. First Sergeant is the name of a military rank used in some countries A Pay grade is a unit in systems of monetary compensation for employment The leadership 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. The commanding officer ( CO) is the officer in command of a Military unit. 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. A battalion is a Military unit of around 500-1500 men usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel

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

An alternative 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 or Master Sergeant both E-8. First Sergeant is the name of a military rank used in some countries A master sergeant is the Military rank for a senior Non-commissioned officer in some armed forces

A Command Sergeant Major is referred to by their subordinates as "Sergeant Major"

Sergeant Major of the Army is a separate and unique position. The Sergeant Major of the Army is a unique non-commissioned rank in the United States Army.

United States Marine Corps

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 First Sergeant, and equal in grade to Master Gunnery Sergeant, although the two have different responsibilities. First Sergeant is the name of a military rank used in some countries Master Gunnery Sergeant ( MGySgt) is the ninth and highest enlisted rank (along with the grade-equivalent ranks of Sergeant Major and Sergeant Major of the 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.

Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps is a separate and unique position. Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps (official abbreviation is SgtMajMarCor, sometimes informally abbreviated as SMMC or SgtMajMC) is a unique

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. The chief of staff is the chief aide to the Commander of larger military Formations and Units It is sometimes the case that the chief of staff is more directly

In the 17th century, sergeants major appeared in individual regiments. As a means of recording the passage of Time, the 17th Century was that Century which lasted from 1601 - 1700 in the Gregorian calendar A regiment is a Military unit, composed of a variable number of Battalions – commanded by a Colonel. 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 sergeants major (although obviously on a smaller scale). A field officer or field grade officer is an Army, Marine, or Air force Commissioned officer senior in rank to a company officer Colonel ( RP ˈkɜnəl GA ˈkɜrnəl is a Military rank of a Commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every country Lieutenant Colonel ( Lieutenant-Colonel in English from the French grade 's spelling is a rank of Commissioned officer in the armies The older position became known as sergeant major general to distinguish it. Sergeant Major General is a now extinct Military rank that can trace its origins to the Middle Ages. Over time, the sergeant was dropped from both titles, giving rise to the modern ranks of major and major general. Major is a Military rank the use of which varies according to country Major General or 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. The 18th century lasted from 1701 to 1800 in the Gregorian calendar, in accordance with the Anno Domini / Common Era numbering system A battalion is a Military unit of around 500-1500 men usually consisting of between two and seven companies and 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. In this article the inhabitants of the thirteen colonies that supported the American Revolution are primarily referred to as "Americans" with occasional references to "Patriots"

United States

Confederate Sergeant Major stripes shown in infantry blue pattern
Confederate Sergeant Major stripes shown in infantry blue pattern

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. The American Continental Army was an Army formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America The rank was in use by both the Union Army and the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. The Union Army was the army that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. The War Department was established by the Confederate Congress in an act on February 21, 1861. Causes of the war See also Origins of the American Civil War, Timeline of events leading to the American Civil War The coexistence of a slave-owning South At that time, it was the highest enlisted rank, being just above Quartermaster Sergeant. Quartermaster Sergeant ( QMS) is a class of rank or appointment in some Armed forces, especially those of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth The same rank insignia was used by both armies. Both armies varied the color of the stripes by assigning red for artillery, yellow for cavalry, and blue for infantry. Some Confederate militia units varied these colors even further and had other colors including black stripes for various units. In 1920, with the standardization 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 when Congress authorized the E-8 and E-9 pay grades. The appointment of Sergeant Major of the Army was created on July 4th, 1966. The Sergeant Major of the Army is a unique non-commissioned rank in the United States Army. Command Sergeant Major got separate insignia in 1968.

The U. S. Marine Corps' first sergeant major was Archibald Sommers, appointed on January 1, 1801. New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC Year 1801 ( MDCCCI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting on Tuesday This was originally a solitary post, similar to the modern Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, but by 1899 there were five Sergeants Major. 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, as the senior enlisted advisor to the Commandant of the Marine Corps. [1]

United Kingdom

The British use of the term was formalised in 1797, when the sergeant major was added to the battalion or regimental staff. Year 1797 ( MDCCXCVII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common A military staff is a group of officers and enlisted personnel that provides a bi-directional flow of information between a commander and subordinate units When chevrons were introduced as badges of rank, he wore four, later under a crown. A chevron (also spelled cheveron, especially in older documents is a V-shaped pattern

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. Year 1813 ( MDCCCXIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common In the British Army, the Troop Sergeant Major (TSM is the senior NCO in a Royal Artillery Troop, usually a Warrant Officer Class Quartermaster refers to two different military occupations In land armies it is a term referring to a military individual or unit who specializes in supplying and provisioning troops A troop is a Military unit, originally a small force of Cavalry, subordinate to a Squadron and headed by the troop leader Later, the rise of the squadron as the principal sub-regimental unit saw the corresponding introduction of the Squadron Sergeant Major (SSM). A squadron is a small unit or formation of Cavalry, armour, Aircraft (including Balloons) or Warships Army A Company Sergeant Major ( CSM) is the senior non-commissioned soldier of a company in the armies of many Commonwealth countries responsible for standards 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. )

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. Year 1881 ( MDCCCLXXXI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Most often the term warrant refers to a specific type of Authorization; a Writ issued by a competent officer usually a Judge or Magistrate A Warrant Officer ( WO) is a member of a military organization holding one of a specific group of ranks. 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.

The Royal Marines continued to use a single rank of Sergeant Major, equating to Warrant Officer Class I, until after the Second World War, when they adopted the Army system.

See also

References

  1. ^ Sergeants Major of the Marine Corps. Marine Corps Legacy Museum. Retrieved on 2006-11-12. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 764 - Tibetan troops occupy Chang'an, the capital of the Chinese Tang Dynasty, for fifteen days

External links

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