The Sergeant Major of the Army is a unique non-commissioned rank in the United States
Army.
The holder of this rank and position is the most senior enlisted member of the Army, unless
an army sergeant is serving as the senior enlisted advisor to the Chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff, in which 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 15 January 2004, through 28 February 2011, the only incumbent
to serve longer than four years.
SMA Preston was succeeded by Command Sergeant Major Raymond F. Chandler III, on 1 March
2011.
While the SMA is a non-commissioned officer, the billet is the protocol equivalent of a
lieutenant general.
History The rank and position were based on those
of the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, established in its current incarnation on
23 May 1957.
The chief of staff of the army created the position in 1966 after asking leaders of the
major commands for a personal recommendation.
He asked that it not be considered a near retirement type assignment.
He listed seven duties and functions he expected the sergeant major to perform, including service
as a personal advisor and assistant on matters pertaining to enlisted soldiers.
From 4,700 proposed candidates, 21 nominees were selected.
Finally chosen was the only one then serving in Vietnam, Sergeant Major William O. Wooldridge
of the 1st Infantry Division.
The other services later followed, creating the positions of Master Chief Petty Officer
of the Navy and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force in 1967, Master Chief Petty Officer
of the Coast Guard in 1969, and Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman in 2005.
These six positions are collectively referred to as "senior enlisted advisors".
Pay grade The sergeant major of the army salary for
E-9 is $7,816.20 per month plus additional pay and allowances
Insignia SMA Insignia
The sergeant major of the army, like counterparts in the other branches, wears a unique rank
insignia, including a unique collar insignia.
The collar insignia of the SMA is the shield portion of the collar insignia of an aide-de-camp
to the Army Chief of Staff, placed upon an enlisted collar disk of gold color, one inch
in diameter.
The insignia worn by SMA Wooldridge was hand-soldered by Colonel Jasper J. Wilson from a cannibalized
aide's insignia and enlisted collar brass.
The insignia was approved on 4 July 1966.
Originally, the SMA would wear the device on each collar, but he now wears the standard
"U.S." disk on his right collar as do all enlisted soldiers.
This insignia is also worn in place of a unit insignia on the SMA's beret, garrison cap,
and pull-over sweater.
The collar insignia of the senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the JCS, approved
2 February 2006, is based directly upon that of the SMA, and features the shield of an
aide de camp to the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, on a gold-colored disk.
The SMA's cap device, worn on the front of the blue service cap is a gold-colored rendering
of the United States' coat of arms, surrounded by a wreath.
The cap device for all other U.S. Army enlisted soldiers is a gold-colored rendering of the
United States' coat of arms on a gold-colored disk or surrounded by a gold colored ring.
The chief master sergeant of the air force has the same cap device as the SMA, but in
silver-colored metal.
Positional color The Sergeant Major of the Army, Chief Master
Sergeant of the Air Force and the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman are the only members
of the United States armed forces below the rank of brigadier general/rear admiral, lower
half to be authorized a positional color.
First considered in 1992, the SMA's color has been authorized since 22 March 1999.
It is based on the design of his collar insignia and the positional flag of the Chief of Staff,
Army.
Like the SEAC's collar brass, the SEAC's positional color was patterned after the SMA's color.
List of Sergeants Major of the Army See also
Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard
Senior Enlisted Advisor for the National Guard Bureau
Army Staff Senior Warrant Officer References