What Does a Command Sergeant Major?

There is no higher rank and no higher honor than being a Command Sergeant Major in the Army. The Command Sergeant Major is selected through the Department of the Army by a warrant, and will participate in the Command Sergeant Major program. They will be expected to complete the Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course, Advanced Non-Commissioned Officer Course, and have a bachelors of science degree from an accredited college. Most Command Sergeant Major’s will have spent fifteen years in the army before they were warranted as a sergeant major. The training courses include disciplines on transitioning, interpersonal skills, assigning and utilizing soldiers, creating training plans, and guiding soldiers and their families. Before a Command Sergeant Major can become a leader in the Army, they must understand that the job requires certain abilities that pertain to self discipline, self reliance, confidence, initiative, and intelligence. They will perform under pressure, and will be physically fit. They must be able to make decisions under duress, and make them quickly, while always focusing on their mission. They must always continuously show respect to their fellow officers, and subordinates. They must also be able to adjust to any changes in their environment, and they will teach their soldiers the same. The command sergeant major is expected to function without supervision, and to remain in complete control through all manners of the army. They will hold all responsibility for their decisions.

Command Sergeant Majors are also referred to as Warrant Officers. They are a Non Commissioned Officer who serves as the senior enlisted adviser to the Chief Administrative and Commanding Officers. The duties of a Command Sergeant Major are to care for their units flag, and to ensure that the conduct of enlisted personnel are enforced through adhering to the army’s standards and procedures. The standards and procedures pertain to the appearance of the enlisted personnel, policies, and their training. They are also responsible for ensuring that all newly enlisted soldiers and personnel understand military courtesy, service customs, policies, and the regulations of their battalion. They also conduct training to enlisted soldiers, and provide guidance for them. They assist in the inspection of the facilities and the soldiers appearance. By the time a Command Sergeant Major trains a soldier, they will become part of an elite fighting force, ready for any battle.

The pay grade for a Command Sergeant Major is $82,000 a year.