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Command sergeant major
Command sergeant major;
	Army insignia
Country	United States
Service branch	United States Army
Abbreviation	CSM
Rank group	Non-commissioned officer
NATO rank code	OR-9
Pay grade	E-9
Formation	1967
Next higher rank	Sergeant Major of the Army
Next lower rank	Sergeant major

A command sergeant major (CSM) is a non-commissioned rank and position of office in the United States Army. The holder of this rank and position is the most senior enlisted member of a color-bearing Army unit (battalion or higher). The CSM is appointed to serve as a spokesman to address the issues of all soldiers, from enlisted to officers, from warrant officers and lieutenants to the Army's highest positions. As such, they are the senior enlisted advisor to the commander. The exact duties vary depending on the unit commander, including observing training and talking with soldiers and their families.

History

Command Sgt. Maj. Michael A. Crosby, left, bears the colors of Army Futures Command, as General Mark Milley, 23rd Secretary of the Army Mark Esper, and General John M. Murray unfurl the colors on 24 August 2018, in Austin, Texas

The command sergeant major, as the most senior sergeant of a color-bearing unit, began in July 1967, with a final definition of duties in December 1975. In contrast, the duties of a sergeant major have been defined in the U.S. Army since the days of von Steuben (1779). The need for a senior enlisted advisor to a commander was recognized in the Vietnam War era (December 1966).^[1]

CSMs are selected for assignment only after training as top enlisted leaders.^[1]^[2]^[3]

Insignia

CSM insignia timeline
1966–1968, the only authorized insignia for all sergeants major ^[4]
1968–1979, became command sergeant major

References

^ ^a ^b CSM-Retired Daniel K. Elder (2 Jan 1998, revised 26 Oct 2008) The History of the Sergeant Major Fort Bliss, Texas
^ CSM-Retired Daniel K. Elder (2 Jan 1998, revised 26 Oct 2008) The History of the Sergeant Major Fort Bliss, Texas, (page 5, lines 17-20)
^ Mages, Robert M. (2013). "The Sergeants Major of the Army (CMH Pub 70–63–1)" (PDF) (3rd ed.). Washington, D.C.: Center for Military History (page 14, lines 4–7)
^ Mages, Robert M. (2013). "The Sergeants Major of the Army (CMH Pub 70–63–1)" (PDF) (3rd ed.). Washington, D.C.: Center for Military History.