Company Sergeant Major - Singapore

Singapore

In the Singapore Armed Forces, the CSM appointment is usually held by a Staff Sergeant, Master Sergeant (the usual rank for a CSM of a non-HQ company) or Second Warrant Officer (the usual rank for a CSM of a battalion HQ company). He may be addressed as "CSM" by superiors, and as "Sergeant Major" (for a Staff Sergeant or Master Sergeant) or "Sir" (for a Second Warrant Officer) by subordinates. The CSM is often respectfully addressed by all as "Encik", Malay for "Mister", but the permission for junior enlisted men to do so should not be taken for granted.

Training schools sometimes refer to companies as "wings"; instead of a CSM, the wing has a Wing Sergeant Major (WSM). In the case for Officer Cadet School, WSMs are second or first warrant officers (2WO or 1WO), likely due to the greater experience required for the appointment.

The CSM is the senior Specialist in the company. He is in charge of the welfare and discipline of the Specialists and enlisted men within, and is usually has the company commander's ear. Drill and ceremonies is the CSM's responsibility. He supervises the instruction of drill by the Platoon Sergeants, and will conduct company rehearsals for parades prior to actual parade rehearsals. On the parade square, the CSM carries a black pace stick.

As an experienced senior Specialist, the CSM is expected to be an expert in the weapons and equipment employed in the company, and will assist in instruction where necessary. During exercises or operations, the CSM, aided by the Company Quartermaster Sergeant and Company Medic, is in charge of organizing the company's logistics, manpower, and medical treatment and evacuation. If necessary, he can be tasked to lead a detachment, usually comprising recoilless rifles and machine guns, to accomplish an identified task.