Command sergeant major

Senior enlisted member of U.S. Army battalion or higher

Command sergeant major

Army insignia

Country|  United States
Service branch|  United States Army
Abbreviation| CSM
Rank group| Non-commissioned officer
NATO rank code| OR-9
Pay grade| E-9
Formation| 1967
Next higher rank| Sergeant Major of the Army
Next lower rank| Sergeant major

A command sergeant major (CSM) is a non-commissioned rank and position of office in the United States Army. The holder of this rank and position is the most senior enlisted member of a color-bearing Army unit (battalion or higher). The CSM is appointed to serve as a spokesman to address the issues of all soldiers, from enlisted to officers, from warrant officers and lieutenants to the Army's highest positions. As such, they are the senior enlisted advisor to the commander. The exact duties vary depending on the unit commander, including observing training and talking with soldiers and their families.

## History

[edit]

Command Sgt. Maj. Michael A. Crosby, left, bears the colors of Army Futures Command, as General Mark Milley, 23rd Secretary of the Army Mark Esper, and General John M. Murray unfurl the colors on 24 August 2018, in Austin, Texas

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 era (December 1966).[1]

CSMs are selected for assignment only after training as top enlisted leaders.[1][2][3]

## Insignia

[edit]

* CSM insignia timeline
* 1966–1968, the only authorized insignia for all sergeants major [4]

* 1968–1979, became command sergeant major

## See also

[edit]

* Sergeant Major of the Army

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b CSM-Retired Daniel K. Elder (2 Jan 1998, revised 26 Oct 2008) The History of the Sergeant Major Fort Bliss, Texas
2. ^ CSM-Retired Daniel K. Elder (2 Jan 1998, revised 26 Oct 2008) The History of the Sergeant Major Fort Bliss, Texas, (page 5, lines 17-20)
3. ^ Mages, Robert M. (2013). "The Sergeants Major of the Army (CMH Pub 70–63–1)" (PDF) (3rd ed.). Washington, D.C.: Center for Military History (page 14, lines 4–7)
4. ^ Mages, Robert M. (2013). "The Sergeants Major of the Army (CMH Pub 70–63–1)" (PDF) (3rd ed.). Washington, D.C.: Center for Military History.

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United States enlisted ranks

Pay grade

Branch of service

| E-1 | E-2 | E-3 | E-4 | E-5 | E-6 | E-7 | E-8 | E-9 | Special

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Army

PVT |
PV2 |
PFC |
SPC – CPL |
SGT |
SSG |
SFC |
MSG – 1SG¹  |
SGM – CSM |
SMA – SEAC
Marine Corps

Pvt |
PFC |
LCpl |
Cpl |
Sgt |
SSgt |
GySgt |
MSgt – 1stSgt¹  |
MGySgt – SgtMaj |
SMMC – SEAC
Navy

SR |
SA |
SN |
PO3 |
PO2 |
PO1 |
CPO |
SCPO – CMDCS |
MCPO – CMDCM – FORCM, FLTCM |
MCPON – SEAC
Air Force

AB |
Amn |
A1C |
SrA |
SSgt |
TSgt |
MSgt – 1st Sgt¹  |
SMSgt – 1st Sgt¹  |
CMSgt – 1st Sgt¹ – CCM |
SEANGB – CMSAF – SEAC
Space Force

Spc1 |
Spc2 |
Spc3 |
Spc4 |
Sgt |
TSgt |
MSgt |
SMSgt |
CMSgt |
CMSSF – SEAC
Coast Guard

SR |
SA |
SN |
PO3 |
PO2 |
PO1 |
CPO |
SCPO |
MCPO – CMC – DMCPOCG2 |
MCPOCG

1. For the Army and Air Force, first sergeants are temporary and lateral ranks and are senior to their non-diamond counterparts, while Marine Corps first sergeants have no lateral movement within paygrade and is a permanent rank.
2. The rank insignia is used by other Coast Guard senior enlisted leaders.

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United States Army

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and
commands|

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Service
components|

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insignia|

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* Category

* v
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Military Senior enlisted advisor posts

Australia|

* Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of Defence Force
* Warrant Officer of the Air Force
* Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army
* Warrant Officer of the Navy

Canada|

* Canadian Forces Chief Warrant Officer
* Chief Warrant Officer of the Canadian Army
* Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
* Chief Warrant Officer of the Air Force

Denmark|

* Sergeant Major of the Army
* Master chief petty officer of the Navy
* Chief Master Sergeant of the RDAF
* Command Sergeant Major of the Home Guard

India|

* Navy Master Chief Petty Officer
* IAF Master Warrant Officer

Maldives|

* Sergeant Major of the MNDF

New Zealand|

* Warrant Officer of the NZDF
* Warrant Officer of the Air Force
* Sergeant Major of the Army
* Warrant officer of the Navy

Singapore|

* Sergeant Major of the Army
* Master Chief Navy
* Air Force Command Chief

South Africa|

* Warrant Officer of the South African National Defence Force
* Master at Arms of the Navy
* Sergeant Major of the Army
* Sergeant Major of the Air Force
* Sergeant Major of the Military Health Service

United Kingdom|

* Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chiefs of Staff Committee
* Warrant Officer to the Royal Navy
* Corps Regimental Sergeant Major (Royal Marines)
* Army Sergeant Major
* Warrant Officer of the Royal Air Force

United States|

* Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman
* Sergeant Major of the Army
* Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps
* Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
* Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force
* Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force
* Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard
* Senior Enlisted Advisor for the National Guard Bureau

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