A command sergeant major (CSM) is a non-commissioned rank and position of office in the

United States Army The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, ...

. The holder of this rank and position is the most senior enlisted member of a color-bearing Army unit (

battalion A battalion is a military unit, typically consisting of 300 to 1,200 soldiers commanded by a lieutenant colonel, and subdivided into a number of companies (usually each commanded by a major or a captain). In some countries, battalions ...

or higher). The CSM is appointed to serve as a spokesman to address the issues of all soldiers, from enlisted to officers, from

warrant officer Warrant officer (WO) is a rank or category of ranks in the armed forces of many countries. Depending on the country, service, or historical context, warrant officers are sometimes classified as the most junior of the commissioned ranks, the mo ...

s and lieutenants to the Army's highest positions. As such, they are the senior enlisted advisor to the

commander Commander (commonly abbreviated as Cmdr.) is a common naval officer rank. Commander is also used as a rank or title in other formal organizations, including several police forces. In several countries this naval rank is termed frigate captain. ...

. The exact duties vary depending on the unit commander, including observing training and talking with soldiers and their families.

History

The command sergeant major, as the most senior sergeant of a color-bearing unit, began in July 1967, with a final definition of duties in December 1975. In contrast, the duties of a sergeant major have been defined in the U.S. Army since the days of von Steuben (1779). The need for a senior enlisted advisor to a commander was recognized in the

Vietnam War The Vietnam War (also known by #Names, other names) was a conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. It was the second of the Indochina Wars and was officially fought between North Vie ...

era (December 1966).CSM-Retired Daniel K. Elder (2 Jan 1998, revised 26 Oct 2008) The History of the Sergeant Major
Fort Bliss, Texas CSMs are selected for assignment only after training as top enlisted leaders.

Insignia

File:Army-USA-OR-09c-2015.svg, 1966–1968, the only authorized insignia for all sergeants major US Army E-9 SMA (1966–1979).svg, 1968–1979, became command sergeant major

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sergeant Major Of The Army Military ranks of the United States Army United States military enlisted ranks Senior Enlisted Advisor

History

Insignia

See also

References