The Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA) is a unique non-commissioned rank in the United States Army. The holder of this rank is the most senior enlisted member of the Army, unless an army sergeant is serving as the senior enlisted advisor to the chairman, when in that case he would be the most senior enlisted man and the SMA will be the second-most senior enlisted member of the army. The SMA is appointed to serve as a spokesman to address the issues of enlisted soldiers to all officers, from warrant officers and lieutenants to the army's highest positions. As such, they are the senior enlisted advisor to the chief of staff of the US Army. The exact duties vary depending on the chief of staff, though much of the SMA's time is spent traveling throughout the army, observing training and talking to soldiers and their families.
Kenneth O. Preston held the rank from January 15, 2004, through February 28, 2011, the only incumbent to serve longer than four years. SMA Preston was succeeded by Command Sergeant Major Raymond F. Chandler III, on March 1, 2011.
While the SMA is a non-commissioned officer, the billet is the protocol equivalent of a lieutenant general.
Read more about Sergeant Major Of The Army: History, Pay Grade, Insignia, Positional Color, List of Sergeants Major of The Army
Famous quotes containing the words sergeant, major and/or army:
“So, my sweetheart back home writes to me and wants to know what this gal in Bombay’s got that she hasn’t got. So I just write back to her and says, “Nothin’, honey. Only she’s got it here.””
—Alvah Bessie, Ranald MacDougall, and Lester Cole. Raoul Walsh. Sergeant Tracey, Objective Burma, to a buddy (1945)
“Uncle Ben’s brass bullet-mould
And powder horn, and Major Bogan’s face
Above the fire, in the half-light, plainly said
There’s naught to kill but the animated dead;”
—Allen Tate (1899–1979)
“To make an Army work you have to have every man in it fitted into a fear ladder.... The Army functions best when you’re frightened of the man above you, and contemptuous of your subordinates.”
—Norman Mailer (b. 1923)