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{{Short description|Military rank and appointment}}
{{other uses}}
{{Lead too short|date=February 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}
{{Military ranks | state=expanded}}

'''Sergeant major''' is a senior [[Non-commissioned officer|non-commissioned]] [[Military rank|rank]] or appointment in many militaries around the world.

==History==
In 16th century Spain, the {{lang|es|[[sargento mayor]]}} ("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 (military)|chief of staff]] to the army's commander.

In the 17th century, sergeant majors appeared in individual [[regiment]]s. These were [[field officer]]s, third in command of their regiments (after their [[colonel]]s and [[lieutenant colonel]]s), with a role similar to the older, army-level sergeant major (although obviously on a smaller scale). The older position became known as "[[sergeant major general]]" to distinguish it. Over time, the term "sergeant" was dropped from both titles, giving rise to the modern ranks of [[Major (rank)|major]] and [[major general]].

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. At about this time, the U.S. and British histories of the title diverge, with the [[American Revolutionary War]].

==Commonwealth of Nations forces==
Sergeant major is now generally an appointment rather than a rank. The appointment is normally held by the senior [[warrant officer]] of an army or marine unit. These appointments are made at several levels: for example, the senior warrant officer of a [[company (military unit)|company]], [[battery (military unit)|battery]] or [[squadron (army)|squadron]], or the senior warrant officer of a [[battalion]] or [[regiment]]. A sergeant major of a regiment or battalion is known as a [[regimental sergeant major]], rather than a "regiment sergeant major" or "battalion sergeant major".

The sergeant major of a unit is responsible to the [[commanding officer]] for advising them on matters relating to non-commissioned members of that unit. Sergeant majors are normally addressed as "sir" or "ma'am" by subordinates, and as "sergeant major", by their full title (or its abbreviation), or as "Mr" or "Ms" [surname], by superiors.

In the British Armed Forces, the plural is ''sergeant majors'' and not ''sergeants major'' as it is in the United States.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=48587 |date=16 April 1981 |page=5671 |supp=y}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette |issue=25044 |date=2 December 1881 |page=6467 }}</ref><ref>The earliest usage of "sergeant majors" in ''[[The Times]]'' is in 1822. The last of the (very occasional) usages of "sergeants major", except when referring to American NCOs, is in 1938.</ref>

===Australia===
The most senior warrant officer in the [[Australian Army]] holds the unique rank of warrant officer (introduced in 1991 and senior to WO1) and the appointment of Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army (RSM-A). The RSM-A is responsible to the Chief of Army, but responsive to all ranks across the Army. The RSM-A is a member of the personal staff of the Chief of Army. The post of RSM-A has existed since January 1983 and was held by a WO1 until 1991. The RSM-A is the equivalent of the [[Royal Australian Navy]]'s Warrant Officer of the Navy (WO-N) and the [[Royal Australian Air Force]]'s Warrant Officer of the Air Force (WOFF-AF).<ref name="Australia">{{cite web|url=https://www.army.gov.au/our-people/australian-army-rank-structure/other-ranks|title=Australian Army Other Ranks|website=Australian Army|access-date=20 June 2019}}</ref>

The RSM-A's primary role is to represent to the Chief of Army and others, the solicited and unsolicited views, concerns and opinions of soldiers in the army, but also carry the Chief of Army's message down and across the ranks.<ref name="Australia"/>

===Canada===

====Canadian Armed Forces====
The appointment of sergeant major is given to the senior non-commissioned member within sub-units, units and some formations of the Canadian Army. The regimental sergeant-major is the senior sergeant major in a unit, such as armoured, artillery, engineer, and signal regiments, and infantry and service battalions. This appointment is normally held by a [[chief warrant officer]].

Within sub-units (such as squadrons, companies and artillery batteries) the sub-unit sergeant-major generally holds the rank of master warrant officer and is known as a squadron, company or, battery sergeant major. They are addressed as "Sergeant-Major" (i.e. "SSM", "CSM", "BSM", etc.), "Mr", or "Ms" by officers and "Sir" or "Ma'am" by subordinates with the same conventions used for regimental sergeant majors.

In some unusual cases, a [[Chief Petty Officer 1st Class|chief petty officer 1st class]] or [[Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class|chief petty officer 2nd class]] in the [[Royal Canadian Navy]] may succeed to a sergeant major's position, especially in units with a large number of "[[purple trades]]", such as [[service battalion]]s. The forms of address generally remain the same, except that chief petty officers 1st and 2nd class are never addressed as "Sir" or "Ma'am", but as "Chief". Sergeant majors do not form part of the formation, unit, or sub-unit chain of command, as their role is to advise their commander on matters pertaining to the organization's non-commissioned members.

====Royal Canadian Mounted Police====
Sergeant major is a rank in the [[Royal Canadian Mounted Police]]. While technically it is the sixth level of rank, below [[Corps Sergeant Major|corps sergeant major]] and above [[Staff Sergeant Major|staff sergeant major]], it, along with the other two, is a specialized rank and not part of the normal progression, which proceeds from staff sergeant to inspector.

===Singapore===
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. Their authority and responsibility at parades and ceremonies extends over even [[officer (armed forces)|commissioned officer]]s while on the parade square. In the [[Singapore Armed Forces]], two kinds of sergeant major exist, a regimental sergeant major and a company sergeant major. A regimental sergeant major may be placed in charge of a battalion, brigade, division or service level. A regimental sergeant major could also be appointed as RSM for a vocation, i.e. [[infantry]] vocation/formation sergeant major. This appointment is usually held by a senior warrant officer or a master warrant officer, although at times a 1st warrant officer may be appointed. A company sergeant major may be a 1WO, 2WO and 3WO. Sometimes, a [[master sergeant]] or a staff sergeant may be appointed. Military Experts of rank ME 3 could also be sergeant majors, in-charge of logistical units or naval units. This practice is also mirrored in the [[National Cadet Corps (Singapore)|National Cadet Corps]] with the master sergeant or staff sergeant being appointed as unit sergeant major. In schools with more than one NCC unit, i.e. having a land as well as a sea unit, an RSM might be appointed from either unit.

===Sri Lanka===
The rank or appointment of sergeant major exists in the [[Sri Lanka Army]] and [[Sri Lanka Police Service]]. In the army, a warrant officer 2nd class is known as a sergeant major; while a warrant officer 1st class is a regimental sergeant major. In the police, the most senior non-gazetted officer rank is police sergeant major.

===South Africa===
[[File:PRE 1994 SOUTH AFRICAN WO1 BADGE.jpg|thumb|right|120px|Warrant officer class 1 rank badge 1951–2002]]
[[File:PRE 1994 SOUTH AFRICAN WO2 BADGE.jpg|thumb|right|120px|Warrant officer class 2 rank badge 1951–2002]]

As described above, sergeant-major is not a [[South African military ranks|rank]], but an appointment held by a warrant officer class 1 or warrant officer class 2. Regardless of the appointment, the warrant officer is addressed as "sergeant-major" (''sersant-majoor'' in [[Afrikaans]]).

The rank was established in the [[Union Defence Force (South Africa)|Union Defence Forces]] in 1913, in a single class. The rank badge was a crown, senior appointments being indicated by a wreath around the badge.<ref name=mil>Radburn, A. (1990) 'South African Military Ranks and Insignia' in ''Militaria'' Vol 20 No 2</ref>

The rank was divided into two classes in 1921. The national coat of arms was assigned as the badge of the 1st class, and the crown was assigned to the 2nd class. In both classes, senior appointments were indicated by a wreath around the badge.<ref name=mil />

From 1957 to 2002, all warrant officers 1st class wore the wreathed coat of arms, and the warrant officer 2nd class wore the plain coat of arms.<ref name=mil /> Since 2002, all warrant officers have worn the new national coat of arms, the classes and appointments being indicated by the shape of the surrounding frame, and the addition of stars and crossed swords above the arms.

Up until 1 June 2008, the highest appointment (level 1), that was held by a warrant officer class 1 was the Sergeant-Major of the [[South African National Defence Force]].

Other senior warrant officer appointments up until 1 June 2008 were:

* Level 2: Sergeant-Major of the [[South African Army|Army]]
* Level 3: Formation sergeant-major
* Level 4: Group or base sergeant-major or regimental sergeant-major<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.army.mil.za/aboutus/uniform/rankinsignia.htm|title=home|website=www.army.mil.za|access-date=12 November 2008|archive-date=20 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020110337/http://www.army.mil.za/aboutus/uniform/rankinsignia.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The [[South African Air Force]] had a similar structure for its warrant officers who are also addressed as "sergeant-major".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.af.mil.za/uniform/rank_ins.html|title=SAAF Rank Insignia|website=www.af.mil.za|access-date=12 November 2008|archive-date=1 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190101003057/http://www.af.mil.za/uniform/rank_ins.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Starting 1 June 2008, the warrant ranks (Army/ Navy/ Air Force) are:

* Master chief warrant officer (formerly level 1)—''e.g. Master Chief Warrant Officer of the South African National Defence Force''
* Senior chief warrant officer (formerly level 2)—''e.g. Senior Chief Warrant Officer of the South African Army''
* Chief warrant officer (formerly level 3)
* Master warrant officer (formerly level 4A)
* Senior warrant officer (formerly level 4)
* Warrant officer class one
* Warrant officer class two

A company/squadron/battery sergeant major should ordinarily be a WO2.

===United Kingdom===
{{Infobox military rank
| name = Sergeant major
| native_name = 
| image = {{nobreak|[[File:British Army OR-8b.svg|50px]] [[File:British Royal Marines OR-8.svg|50px]]}}
| image_size = 
| alt =
| caption = Army and Royal Marine insignia
| image2 = 
| image_size2 = 
| alt2 =
| caption2 = 
| image3 = 
| image_size3 = 
| alt3 =
| caption3 = 
| country = {{flag|United Kingdom}}
| service branch = {{ubl|{{army|United Kingdom}}|{{marines|United Kingdom}}}}
| abbreviation = 
| rank group = [[Non-commissioned officer]]
| rank = [[Warrant officer (United Kingdom)|Warrant officer]]
| NATO rank = OR-8
| Non-NATO rank = 
| pay grade = Range 4
| formation = {{circa|1680}}
| abolished = 
| higher rank = 
| lower rank = 
| equivalents = 
| history = 
}}
In the [[British Army]] and [[Royal Marines]], company/battery/squadron sergeant major is an appointment for a [[Warrant Officer Class 2|WO2]] and regimental sergeant major is a [[Warrant Officer Class 1|WO1]] appointment.

Due to differences in nomenclature between Regiments and Corps, sergeant majors' titles do vary; squadron sergeant major and battery sergeant major for instance would be found in the [[Royal Armoured Corps|cavalry]] and [[Royal Artillery]] respectively, and in the [[Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers]], there are the appointments of artificer sergeant major.

[[Sergeant Major Instructor|Sergeant major instructor]] is an appointment held by warrant officers class 1 in the Small Arms School Corps and the Army Physical Training Corps and by some WO1s in the Royal Engineers. It is also an appointment held by some of the civilian adult instructors in the [[Army Cadet Force]].

A machinist sergeant-major (MSM) is a specialist most often found in the [[Royal Engineers|Corps of Royal Engineers]] or the [[Royal Army Service Corps]], and was the title of one of the major characters in the book and the film based on it, ''[[Ice Cold in Alex]]''.

For the use of "sergeant major" as a form of address, see the articles on [[Regimental sergeant major|regimental]] and [[company sergeant major]]s, and that on [[staff sergeant]]s.

The posts of regimental and squadron corporal major are the [[Household Cavalry]]'s equivalent of sergeant majors, as the Household Cavalry traditionally does not have ranks named sergeant. [[The Rifles]] use the spelling serjeant major, in common with the spelling used for serjeant and colour serjeant.

A new post of [[Army Sergeant Major]] was created in 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.janes.com/article/48536/cgs-outlines-new-british-army-senior-posts-amid-culling-of-generals |title=CGS outlines new British Army senior posts amid culling of generals - IHS Jane's 360 |website=www.janes.com |access-date=15 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203214948/http://www.janes.com/article/48536/cgs-outlines-new-british-army-senior-posts-amid-culling-of-generals |archive-date=3 February 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

====History====
The first British use of the term was around 1680 and was applied to the senior sergeant in the colonel's company of an infantry regiment,<ref>[http://homepage.ntlworld.com/mike.comerford/ORDNANCE/48.htm Ordnance Insignia of the British Army: Non-Commissioned Ranks & Appointments] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101010091746/http://homepage.ntlworld.com/mike.comerford/ORDNANCE/48.htm |date=10 October 2010 }}</ref> but it wasn't formalised until 1797, when the sergeant major was added to the battalion or regimental [[General staff|staff]]. When [[Chevron (insignia)|chevrons]] were introduced as badges of rank, he wore four, later under a crown.

In 1813, cavalry regiments introduced the [[Troop Sergeant Major|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. Later, the rise of the [[Squadron (army)|squadron]] as the principal sub-regimental unit saw the corresponding introduction of the [[Squadron Sergeant Major|squadron sergeant major]]. 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 [[warrant (law)|warrant]]s, making them [[warrant officer]]s. 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.

The [[Royal Flying Corps]] and its successor the [[Royal Air Force]] used the ranks of sergeant-major 1st and 2nd class instead of warrant officer class I and II until the 1930s, when the RAF adopted the Army-style ranks. The RAF has not used sergeant major as either a rank or an appointment since that time.

==France==
In France, the rank of ''sergent-major'' (distinct from the rank of [[Major (France)|''major'']]) was created in 1776. He was the highest ranked non-commissioned officer ({{langx|fr|sous-officier}}) in the infantry [[Company (military unit)|company]]; the equivalent in the cavalry was the [[Maréchal-des-logis|''maréchal-des-logis-chef'']]. The sergeant-major was charged with the administration of the company. Under the [[Ancien Regime]], the equivalent at the general staff headquarters of the regiment was the [[Adjudant|''adjudant sous-officiers'']], a rank which was also established in 1776, who was the senior NCO of the regiment.

Following the reforms of the [[Franco-Prussian War]] of 1870, it became harder to ascend to the officer corps, due to primarily age restrictions. With the addition of an ''[[adjudant]]'' (warrant officer) in each company, the sergeant-major became limited to purely administrative functions.

The rank was replaced with that of ''[[Ranks in the French Army|sergent-chef]]'' in 1928. The rank was re-established from 1942 until 1962 between ''sergent-chef'' and ''adjudant'' as the NCO in charge of the accounting responsibility of the company. There were no promotions to sergeant-major after 1964 and the rank was formally abolished in 1971. The last NCO to have held the rank retired in 1985.

Notable soldiers who held the rank of sergeant-major included [[Marshal of France]] [[François Achille Bazaine]], [[Édouard Husband]], and [[Henri Tonel]].

==United States==
{{Infobox military rank
| name           = Sergeant major
| image          = {{nobreak| [[File:Army-USA-OR-09c.svg|50px]] [[File:Army-USA-OR-09c (Army greens).svg|50px]] [[File:USMC-E9-SGM.svg|50px]] [[File:USMC-E9-SGM (Service).svg|50px]]}}
| image_size     = 
| alt            =
| caption        = Army and Marine Corps insignia
| image2         = 
| image_size2    = 
| alt2           =
| caption2       = 
| image3         = 
| image_size3    = 
| alt3           =
| caption3       = 
| country        = {{flag|United States}}
| service branch = {{ubl|{{army|United States}}|{{marines|United States}}}}
| abbreviation   = SGM (Army)
SgtMaj (Marine Corps)
| rank group     = [[Non-commissioned officer]]
| rank           = 
| NATO rank      = OR-9
| Non-NATO rank  = 
| pay grade      = [[Uniformed services pay grades of the United States|E-9]]
| formation      = 1776
| abolished      = 
| higher rank    = [[Command sergeant major]] {{small|(USA)}}<br/>[[Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps]] {{small|(USMC)}}
| lower rank     = [[First sergeant#United States|First sergeant]] {{small|(USA and USMC)}}
| equivalents    = 
| history        = 
}}

===United States Army===

In the [[United States Army|U.S. Army]], sergeant major (SGM) refers to both a [[military rank]] and a personnel slot, or position title. It is the highest [[enlisted rank]], just above [[first sergeant]] and [[master sergeant]], with a [[U.S. uniformed services pay grades|pay grade]] of E–9, NATO rank OR–9.

The leadership variation – [[command sergeant major]] (CSM) – is the [[senior enlisted advisor]] to the [[commanding officer]]. The leadership position carries with it certain ceremonial functions such as caring for the unit's colors (flag). Additionally, CSMs serve as monitors of, and advocates for, the enlisted soldiers in the command. This position mostly exists in units of [[battalion]] size and larger.

SGMs and CSMs serving in nominative positions (a position rated by a [[general officer]] or a civilian on the [[Senior Executive Service (United States)|senior executive service]] payscale) will wear the nominative senior enlisted leader insignia. All other sergeants major serving commanders at or below colonel wear their designated branch insignia.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NOMINATIVE SENIOR ENLISTED LEADER COLLAR INSIGNIA |url=https://www.armyg1.army.mil/hr/uniform/docs/uniform/Nominative_Senior_Enlisted_Leader_Collar_Insignia.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814080743/http://www.armyg1.army.mil/hr/uniform/docs/uniform/Nominative_Senior_Enlisted_Leader_Collar_Insignia.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 August 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN30302-AR_670-1-000-WEB-1.pdf |title=Army Regulation 670–1 Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia |date=26 January 2021 |pages=40}}</ref>

Both the SGM and CSM are referred to, and addressed as, "Sergeant Major". The [[Sergeant Major of the Army]] is a separate and unique position, but is still addressed as "Sergeant Major".<ref>{{Cite book |last= |first= |url=https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN30074-AR_600-20-000-WEB-1.pdf |title=Army Regulation 600–20 |date=24 July 2020 |publisher=United States Department of the Army |pages=5 |language=English |oclc=}}</ref>

===United States Marine Corps===
{{unreferenced section|date=March 2021}}
In the [[United States Marine Corps]], sergeant major is the ninth and highest enlisted rank, just above [[first sergeant]], and equal in pay grade to [[master gunnery sergeant]], although the two have different responsibilities. While sergeant major is a rank, the official billet of marines in this position is command senior enlisted leader. Marine sergeants major must have been a first sergeant to be promoted to this rank; master sergeants cannot be.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ranks |url=https://www.marines.mil/Ranks/ |access-date=July 27, 2025 |website=US Marine Corps}}</ref>  Marine Corps sergeants major serve as the senior enlisted marine in the Corps' units of battalion, squadron or higher echelon, as the unit commander's [[senior enlisted advisor]] and to handle matters of discipline and morale among the enlisted marines. [[Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps]] is a separate and unique position.

===History===
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 (or regiment, the two designations being used interchangeably) of the [[Continental Army]]. The original insignia of rank was an epaulette, or strip, of red cloth sewn on each shoulder of the uniform coat. In the years between 1776 and 1851, the sergeant major rank insignia went through several changes until the "classic" pattern worn during the Civil War and throughout the Indian Wars was adopted. Generally, these styles included either staff non-commissioned officer (SNCO) epaulettes, chevrons, or a combination of both. (During this period, the rank insignia for the several SNCO ranks of sergeant major, quartermaster sergeant, drum major, and fife major were identical.) In 1821, SNCOs received a single yellow chevron, point up, above the elbow on each sleeve. (Company grade officers, including the new officer grade of "adjutant", ranking above captain and below major, and non-commissioned officers or NCOs, viz., sergeants and corporals, all received chevrons of various colors, materials, patterns, and placement as their insignia of rank.) In 1825, the sergeant major chevron insignia was changed to be identical to that of the adjutant, by adding an inverted arc below the chevron (very similar in design to the modern private first class insignia), although in a different color (yellow vice gold or silver) and material (worsted vice lace) than that of the officer rank. In 1832, SNCOs returned to a rank insignia denoted by elaborate epaulettes without the chevrons. All SNCOs and NCOs returned to having chevrons as their rank insignia in 1847, when a completely new system of insignia was introduced. This was the first implementation of the three chevrons over three arcs design (with the chevrons worn point-up) of the "traditional" sergeant major rank insignia. (The quartermaster finally received a distinctive rank insignia—three chevrons over three horizontal bars—and for the first time, the first sergeant, or orderly sergeant, received a distinctive rank insignia—three chevrons surmounting a lozenge.) Finally, in 1851, the Army inverted the SNCO and NCO insignia again to be point-down.<ref>Perrenot. P. ''United States Army Grade Insignia Since 1776'' (2011)</ref>

The rank was in use by both the [[Union Army]] and the [[Confederate Army]] during the [[American Civil War]]. At that time, it was the highest enlisted rank, being just above [[Quartermaster Sergeant|quartermaster sergeant]]. The same rank insignia, three point-down chevrons under three arcs, 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 farther 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 [[Enlisted rank|E–9]] pay grades (P.L. 85-422, 72 Stat. 122). This new iteration of sergeant major as a discrete grade of rank saw the new rank insignia of three chevrons above three arcs with a five pointed star between the chevrons and arcs. In that law (as amended), the authorized daily average number of enlisted members on active duty in an armed force in pay grade E–9 in a fiscal year may not be more than 1.25 percent, respectively, of the number of enlisted members of that armed force, subject to certain exceptions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/517 |title=10 U.S.C. § 517 |publisher=law.cornell.edu |access-date=2013-07-05}}</ref>  A new insignia was authorized by DA Message 865848, 28 May 1968, for sergeants major assigned at the principal NCO of battalion and higher level command (viz., command sergeants major). This insignia was the same as the sergeant major insignia except the star was small and a wreath was placed around the star.

The appointment of [[Sergeant Major of the Army]] was created on July 4, 1966, and in 1979 received the unique grade of rank insignia of three chevrons above three arcs with two stars centered between the bottom chevron and the upper arc. In 1994 The insignia for Sergeant Major of the Army was changed to add the coat of arms of the United States between the two stars in the center of the insignia. The pin-on insignia is polished gold-plated with a black enamel background.<ref>The Institute of Heraldry, History of U.S. Army Enlisted Ranks {{cite web |url=http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Catalog/HeraldryMulti.aspx?CategoryId=9168&grp=2&menu=Uniformed%20Services |title=Enlisted Rank Insignia |access-date=2015-07-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113122159/http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Catalog/HeraldryMulti.aspx?CategoryId=9168&grp=2&menu=Uniformed%20Services |archive-date=13 January 2015 |df=dmy-all }}. Retrieved June 23, 2017.</ref>

The U.S. Marine Corps' first sergeant major was [[Archibald Sommers]], appointed on January 1, 1801. 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 United States Marine Corps|Commandant of the Marine Corps]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mclm.com/gallery/sgtmaj.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030422213618/http://mclm.com/gallery/sgtmaj.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2003-04-22|title=Sergeants Major of the Marine Corps|publisher=Marine Corps Legacy Museum|access-date=2006-11-12}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery class="center">
<!-- In alphabetic order of Country please -->
File:Angola-Army-OR-8.svg|{{lang|pt|Sargento-maior}}<br />([[Angolan Army]])<ref name="Angola_Army">{{cite web |title=Postos do Exército |url=https://faa.ao/exe/posto_exe |website=faa.ao |publisher=Angolan Army |access-date=27 June 2021 |language=pt}}</ref>
File:blank.svg|{{lang|fr|Première sergent major}}<br />{{small|({{langx|rn|Sereja majoro mu murwi wa mbere}})}}<br />([[Burundi Army]])<ref name="Burundi">{{cite web |title=Loi organique N°1/ 04 du 20 février 2017 portant Missions, Organisation, Composition, Instruction, Conditions de service et Fonctionnement de la Force de Défense Nationale du Burundi |url=http://fdnb.bi/sites/default/files/loi-04-2017.pdf |website=fdnb.bi/ |publisher=Government of Burundi |access-date=27 June 2021 |page=45 |language=fr}}</ref>
File:blank.svg|{{lang|pt|Sargento-mor}}<br />([[Cape Verdean Armed Forces|Cape Verdean National Guard]])<ref name="CapeVerde_Army">{{cite web |title=Patente |url=https://www.fa.gov.cv/index.php/uniforme/patente |website=fa.gov.cv |publisher=Cape Verdean Armed Forces |access-date=26 May 2021 |language=pt |archive-date=26 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726014311/https://www.fa.gov.cv/index.php/uniforme/patente |url-status=dead }}</ref>
File:07.CAGF-SGM.svg|{{lang|fr|Sergent-major}}<br />([[Central African Armed Forces|Central African Ground Forces]])
File:Chad-Army-OR-7.svg|{{lang|fr|Sergent major}}<br />([[Chadian Ground Forces]])
File:Colombia-Army-OR-8.svg|{{lang|es|Sargento mayor}}<br />([[Colombian National Army]])<ref name="Colombia_Army">{{cite book |title=RGE 4-20.1: Reglamento de Uniformes, Insignias y Distinciones |publisher=National Army of Colombia |location=Colombia |pages=301–331 |edition=7th |url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Unzse7pR7eJe3cJcNcEpV9ouphDSn3uU/view |access-date=28 May 2021 |language=es |chapter=Capítulo V: Insignias militares}}</ref>
File:05.DRC-SGM.svg|{{lang|fr|Sergent major}}<br />([[Land Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo|Land Forces of the DR Congo]])
File:SargentomayorE.N.svg|{{lang|es|Sargento mayor}}<br />([[Dominican Army]])<ref name="DominicanRepublic_Army">{{cite book |title=Ejército de República Dominicana: Reglamento de uniforme |date=18 August 2016 |publisher=Dominican Army |pages=130–139 |url=https://www.ejercito.mil.do/transparencia/images/docs/base_legal/REGL__UNIFORMES__ERD__18-08-16.pdf |access-date=18 June 2021 |language=es |chapter=Capítulo II: Insignias y Distintivos}}</ref>
File:El-Salvador-Army-OR-8.svg|{{lang|es|Sargento mayor}}<br />([[Salvadoran Army]])<ref name="ElSalvador">{{cite web |title=Grados Militares |url=https://www.fuerzaarmada.mil.sv/?page_id=734 |website=fuerzaarmada.mil.sv |publisher=Ministry of National Defense of El Salvador. |access-date=29 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304153314/https://www.fuerzaarmada.mil.sv/?page_id=734 |archive-date=4 March 2021 |language=es}}</ref>
File:Guatemala-army-OR-9.svg|{{lang|es|Sargento mayor}}<br />([[Guatemalan Army]])<ref name="Guatemala">{{cite web |title=Grados Militares |url=https://www.mindef.mil.gt/grados_militares/grados_militares.html |website=mindef.mil.gt |publisher=Ministry of Defence (Guatemala) |access-date=29 May 2021 |language=es |archive-date=16 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516165430/https://www.mindef.mil.gt/grados_militares/grados_militares.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
File:blank.svg|{{lang|es|Sargento mayor}}<br />([[Honduran Army]])<ref name="Honduras">{{cite book |last1=Flores |first1=Edmundo |editor1-last=Merrill |editor1-first=Tim |title=Honduras: a country study |series=Area Handbook |date=1995 |publisher=Library of Congress |location=Washington, D.C. |lccn=94043036 |pages=232–233 |edition=3rd |url=https://www.loc.gov/resource/frdcstdy.hondurascountrys00merr_0/?sp=278 |access-date=21 October 2021 |chapter=National Security}}</ref>
File:Serma pdh ad.png|{{lang|id|Sersan mayor}}<br />([[Indonesian Army]])<ref name="Indonesia">{{cite web |title=Pangkat Harian |url=https://www.tni.mil.id/pages-39-pangkat-harian.html |website=tni.mil.id |access-date=4 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124202839/https://www.tni.mil.id/pages-39-pangkat-harian.html |publisher=Indonesian National Armed Forces |archive-date=24 November 2020 |language=id}}</ref>
File:Rank insignia of sergente maggiore of the Army of Italy (1973).svg|{{lang|it|Sergente Maggiore}}<br />([[Italian Army]])<ref name="Italy_Army">{{cite web |title=i gradi dell'Esercito Italiano - distintivi di incarico e funzionali |url=http://www.esercito.difesa.it/root/equipaggiamenti/gradi_270906.pdf |website=esercito.difesa.it |publisher=Italian Army |access-date=30 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100801094145/http://www.esercito.difesa.it/root/equipaggiamenti/gradi_270906.pdf |archive-date=1 August 2010 |language=it}}</ref>
File:Lithuania-Army-OR-9.svg|{{lang|lt|Seržantas majoras}}<br />([[Lithuanian Land Force]])<ref name="Lithuania">{{cite web |title=Karių laipsnių ženklai |url=http://kariuomene.kam.lt/lt/kariuomenes_atributika/kariu_laipsniu_zenklai_3554.html |website=kariuomene.kam.lt |publisher=Ministry of National Defence (Lithuania) |access-date=26 May 2021 |language=lt}}</ref>
File:06.Madagascar Air Force-SGM.svg|{{lang|fr|Sergent-major}}<br />([[Madagascar People's Armed Forces|Madagascar Ground Forces]])<ref name="Madagascar">{{cite web |title=LOI N° 96-029 portant Statut Général des Militaires |url=http://www.defense.gov.mg/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/LOI-96-029.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710195555/http://www.defense.gov.mg/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/LOI-96-029.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 July 2021 |website=defense.gov.mg |publisher=Ministry of Defence (Madagascar) |access-date=10 July 2021 |pages=2 |language=fr |date=15 November 1996}}</ref>
File:Maldives-Army-OR-9a.svg|{{lang|dv|ސާރޖަންޓް މޭޖަރ}}<br />{{lang|dv-Latn|Saarjant meyjar}}<br />([[Maldives National Defence Force]])<ref name="Maldives">{{cite web |title=ރޭންކް ސްޓްރަކްޗަރ |url=https://mndf.gov.mv/mndf/ranks |website=mndf.gov.mv |publisher=Maldives National Defence Force |access-date=2 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229225234/https://mndf.gov.mv/mndf/ranks |archive-date=29 February 2020 |language=dv}}</ref>
File:05-Moldovan Army-SGM.svg|{{lang|ro|Sergent-major}}<br />([[Moldovan Ground Forces]])<ref name="Moldova">{{cite web |title=Epoleţi |url=https://www.army.md/inf/epoleti/epoleti.htm |website=army.md |publisher=Ministry of Defense |access-date=26 May 2021 |language=ro}}</ref>
File:07-Moroccan Army-SGM.svg|{{lang|fr|Sergent-major}}<br />([[Royal Moroccan Army]])<ref name="Morocco">{{cite book |last1=Ehrenreich |first1=Frederich |editor1-last= Nelson |editor1-first=Harold D. |title=Morocco: a country study |series=Area Handbook |date=1985 |location=Washington, D.C. |lccn=85600265 |pages=350–351 |edition=5th |chapter=National Security}}</ref>
File:Netherlands-Army-OR-7.svg|{{lang|nl|Sergeant-majoor}}<br />([[Royal Netherlands Army]])<ref name="Netherlands">{{cite web |title=De rangonderscheidingstekens van de krijgsmacht |url=https://www.defensie.nl/binaries/defensie/documenten/brochures/2021/01/15/rangen-krijgsmacht/rangonderscheidingstekens.pdf |publisher=Ministry of Defence (Netherlands) |access-date=18 March 2021 |date=19 December 2016 |language=nl}}</ref>
File:Norway-Army-OR-9 service.svg|{{lang|no|Sersjantmajor}}<br />([[Norwegian Army]])<ref name="Norway">{{cite web |title=Militære grader |url=https://www.forsvaret.no/om-forsvaret/uniformer-grader-medaljer/grader |website=forsvaret.no |publisher=Norwegian Armed Forces |access-date=26 May 2021 |language=no |date=4 February 2021}}</ref>
File:Portugal-Army-OR-9b.svg|{{lang|pt|Sargento-mor}}<br />([[Portuguese Army]])<ref name="Portugal_Army">{{cite web |title=POSTOS E DISTINTIVOS EXÉRCITO |url=http://antigo.mdn.gov.pt/defesa/Simbolos/exercito.htm |website=antigo.mdn.gov.pt |access-date=30 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100301024102/http://antigo.mdn.gov.pt/defesa/Simbolos/exercito.htm |archive-date=1 March 2010 |language=pt}}</ref>
File:RO_ARMY_OR-6.png|{{lang|ro|Sergent-major}}<br />([[Romanian Land Forces]])<ref name="Romania">{{cite web |title=Grade militare (Military ranks) |url=https://www.defense.ro/foto/album6 |website=defense.ro |publisher=Romanian Defence Staff |access-date=1 February 2021 |language=ro}}</ref>
File:04-Rwanda Army-SGM.svg|Sergeant major<br />([[Rwanda Defence Force|Rwandan Land Forces]])<ref name="Rwanda">{{cite web |title=RDF Insignia |url=https://www.mod.gov.rw/rdf/insignia |website=mod.gov.rw |publisher=Government of the Republic of Rwanda |access-date=12 June 2021}}</ref>
File:blank.svg|{{lang|pt|Sargento-mor}}<br />([[Armed Forces of São Tomé and Príncipe|Army of São Tomé and Príncipe]])
File:Nl-landmacht-sergeant majoor-opperwachtmeester.svg|{{lang|nl|Sergeant-majoor}}<br />([[Suriname National Army|Suriname Army]])<ref name="Dyer 1979 - Surinam">{{cite book |last1=Dyer |first1=Gwynne |editor1-last=Keegan |editor1-first=John |title=World armies |date=1979 |publisher=[[Royal Military Academy Sandhurst|Royal Military Academy]] |location=Sandhurst |lccn=79-9217 |page=663 |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/worldarmies00keeg/page/662/mode/2up |chapter-url-access=registration |access-date=9 March 2022 |chapter=Surinam|isbn=9780871964076 }}</ref>
File:Army-USA-OR-09c (Army greens).svg|Sergeant major<br />([[United States Army]])<ref name="US_Army">{{cite web |title=U.S. Army Ranks |url=https://www.army.mil/ranks/ |website=army.mil |publisher=United States Army |access-date=27 May 2021}}</ref>
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Comparative military ranks]]
* [[United States Army enlisted rank insignia of World War I]]
* [[United States Army enlisted rank insignia of World War II]]
* [[Major (France)]]

==References==
* [http://ncohistory.com/files/SGMhistory.pdf History of the Sergeant Major (US)] by CSM (Ret.) Daniel K. Elder
* Sergeants Major of the Army. {{ISBN|0-16-067866-8}}, CMH Pub. 70-63-1. By CSM Daniel K. Elder, et al. Describes the origin and growth of the Office of the Sergeant Major of the Army. Includes biographies of each of the Sergeants Major of the Army.
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050318204225/http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/LF/english/1_6_2_12.asp?FlashEnabled=1& Official Site of the Chief Warrant Officer of the Army (Canada)]
* [https://www.army.mil/leaders/sma/ Official Site of the Sergeant Major of the Army (U.S.)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100820190510/http://www.marines.mil/unit/hqmc/smmc/Pages/default.aspx Official Site of the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps (U.S.)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051130050448/http://www.ausa.org/ausa/Training.nsf/0/88a41a823dc19fcd8525688d005bef90?OpenDocument Former Sergeants Major of the Army discuss the position]
* [http://www.gruntsmilitary.com/rank3.shtml U.S. Army Enlisted Rank Insignia - Criteria, Background, and Images]

{{US_enlisted ranks}}

[[Category:Military ranks]]
[[Category:Military appointments of Canada]]
[[Category:Military ranks of the British Army]]
[[Category:Military ranks of the United States Army]]
[[Category:United States military enlisted ranks]]
[[Category:Military ranks of the United States Marine Corps]]
[[Category:Military ranks of the Royal Air Force]]
[[Category:Military ranks of the Royal Marines]]
[[Category:Warrant officers]]