Command sergeant major
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{{short description|Senior enlisted member of U.S. Army battalion or higher}}
{{Infobox military rank
| name = Command sergeant major
| image = File:Army-USA-OR-09b (Army greens).svg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Army insignia
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| country = {{flag|United States}}
| service branch = {{army|United States}}
| abbreviation = CSM
| rank group = Non-commissioned officer
| rank =
| NATO rank = OR-9
| Non-NATO rank =
| pay grade = E-9
| formation = 1967
| abolished =
| higher rank = Sergeant Major of the Army
| lower rank = Sergeant major
| equivalents =
| history =
}}
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
File:CsmMichaelACrosbyAFCActivationCeremony.jpg, 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).[http://ncohistory.com/files/SGMhistory.pdf 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.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)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)
Insignia
File:Army-USA-OR-09c-2015.svg|1966–1968, the only authorized insignia for all sergeants major {{Cite web|title=The Sergeants Major of the Army (CMH Pub 70–63–1)|publisher=Center for Military History|edition=3rd|url=https://history.army.mil/html/books/070/70-63-1/CMH_Pub_70-63-1.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150319010114/http://www.history.army.mil/html/books/070/70-63-1/CMH_Pub_70-63-1.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 19, 2015|last=Mages|first=Robert M.|location=Washington, D.C.|date=2013}}
US Army E-9 SMA (1966–1979).svg|1968–1979, became command sergeant major
See also
References
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{{Senior Enlisted Advisor}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sergeant Major Of The Army}}
Category:Military ranks of the United States Army