A Company sergeant major (CSM), is the senior non-commissioned soldier of a company in the armies of many Commonwealth countries, responsible for administration, standards and discipline. In combat, his prime responsibility is the supply of ammunition to the company. He also oversees the distribution of other supplies such as water or food; although that responsibility mainly is the company quartermaster sergeant's (CQMS), and evacuating the wounded and collecting prisoners of war.
For military units of the same level as company, the equivalent may be squadron sergeant major (SSM) or battery sergeant major (BSM). In the Household Cavalry, squadron corporal major (SCM) is the equivalent. First sergeant and Hauptfeldwebel are the United States Army and German Heer equivalents respectively.
Read more about Company Sergeant Major: Canada, Singapore, United Kingdom
Famous quotes containing the words company, sergeant and/or major:
“There is no such thing as the Queens English. The property has gone into the hands of a joint stock company and we own the bulk of the shares!”
—Mark Twain [Samuel Langhorne Clemens] (18351910)
“Its fear of being afraid that frightens me more than anything else.”
—Jerome Cady, U.S. screenwriter, and Lewis Milestone. Sergeant Clinton (Farley Granger)
“I have not had major experience of talking with people once pronounced brain-dead, but I think we could be safe in saying he did not have great zip.”
—Sir Howard Smith (b. 1919)