Sergeant Major of the Army
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The Sergeant Major of the Army is a unique non-commissioned rank in the United States Army. The holder of this rank and post is the senior enlisted member of the Army, and is appointed to serve as spokesperson to address the issues of enlisted personnel to the Army's highest positions. As such, he or she is the senior enlisted advisor to the Chief of Staff of the US Army. His exact duties vary, depending on the Chief of Staff, though he generally devotes much of his time to traveling throughout the Army observing training, and talking to soldiers and their families. Kenneth O. Preston has held the rank since January 15, 2004.[1]
General Harold Keith Johnson, then the Chief of Staff of the Army, created the position in 1966. Johnson solicited the nominations of the field commanders of the major commands, asking for a personal recommendation. He asked that it not be considered a contest or retirement-type assignment. He listed seven duties and functions he expected the sergeant major to perform, including service as a personal advisor and assistant to the chief of staff on those matters pertaining to enlisted men. Johnson whittled the 4,700 candidates down to 21 nominees and then selected the only one then serving in Vietnam, the sergeant major of the 1st Infantry Division, William O. Wooldridge.[2]
| SMA[3] | Tenure |
|---|---|
| William O. Wooldridge | 1966-07-11 – 1968 Aug. |
| George W. Dunaway | 1968 Sep. – 1970 Sep. |
| Silas L. Copeland | 1970 Oct. – 1973 June |
| Leon L. Van Autreve | 1973 July – 1975 June |
| William G. Bainbridge | 1975 July – 1979 June |
| William A. Connelly | 1979 July – 1983 June |
| Glen E. Morrell | 1983 July – 1987 July |
| Julius W. Gates | 1987 July – 1991 June |
| Richard A. Kidd | 1991 July – 1995 June |
| Gene C. McKinney | 1995 July – 1997 Oct. |
| Robert E. Hall | 1997 Oct. – 2000 June |
| Jack L. Tilley | 2000 June – 2004 Jan. |
| Kenneth O. Preston | 2004 Jan. – present |
[edit] References
- ^ "Sergeant Major Kenneth O. Preston - Sergeant Major Army". Retrieved on September 22, 2007.
- ^ CSM Dan Elder. Office of the Sergeant Major of the Army. Retrieved on 2007-09-28.
- ^ "Former Sergeants Major of the Army". Retrieved on September 22, 2007.
| E-1 | E-2 | E-3 | E-4 | E-5 | E-6 | E-7 | E-8 | E-9 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Force: | AB | Amn | A1C | SrA | SSgt | TSgt | MSgt | SMSgt | CMSgt - CCM - CMSAF |
| Army: | PV1 | PV2 | PFC | SPC - CPL | SGT | SSG | SFC | MSG - 1SG | SGM - CSM - SMA |
| Marine Corps: | Pvt | PFC | LCpl | Cpl | Sgt | SSgt | GySgt | MSgt - 1stSgt | MGySgt - SgtMaj - SgtMajMarCor |
| Navy: | SR | SA | SN | PO3 | PO2 | PO1 | CPO | SCPO | MCPO - CMDCM - FORCM - FLTCM - CNOCM - MCPON |
| Coast Guard: | SR | SA | SN | PO3 | PO2 | PO1 | CPO | SCPO | MCPO - CMCPO - MCPOCG |
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