Regimental Sergeant Major

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For other uses, see Sergeant Major (disambiguation).

Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) is an appointment held by Warrant Officers Class 1 (WO1) in the British Army, Royal Marines and many Commonwealth armies including the Australian Army and New Zealand Army, and by Chief Warrant Officers (CWO) in the Canadian Forces. Only one WO1/CWO holds the appointment of RSM in a regiment or battalion, making him the senior warrant officer; in a unit with more than one WO1, the RSM is considered to be "first amongst equals". The RSM is primarily responsible for maintaining standards and discipline. In the Household Cavalry the rank is Regimental Corporal Major (RCM).

1 Australia
2 Canada
3 Singapore
4 United Kingdom
5 United States
6 References

[edit] Australia

Like most Commonwealth forces, the RSM in the Australian Army is the senior warrant officer of the regiment, normally a Warrant Officer Class 1 (WO1).

In addition, the senior warrant officer in the Australian Army holds the unique rank of Warrant Officer (introduced in 1991 and senior to WO1) and the appointment of Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army (RSM-A). This appointment, based on the United States Army's practice of appointing a Sergeant Major of the Army, has existed since January 1983, and was originally held by a WO1. It is the equivalent of the Royal Australian Navy's Warrant Officer of the Navy (WO-N) and the Royal Australian Air Force's Warrant Officer of the Air Force (WOFF-AF).

[edit] Canada

In the Canadian Forces, the appointment of Regimental Sergeant Major is normally held by an army Chief Warrant Officer (CWO). Due to the combined nature of the Canadian Forces, however, it is not impossible for an air force Chief Warrant Officer or a naval Chief Petty Officer 1st Class (CPO1) to rise to that post, especially in units with a high number of support trades personnel; examples might include a Logistics Branch CPO1 being appointed RSM of a service battalion, or an air force Communications and Electronics Branch CWO appointed to the position in a Communication Regiment of the Communication Reserve.

As well, it is possible that a Master Warrant Officer may be appointed to an RSM position, in an acting or even official capacity, due to shortages of available CWOs, or in anticipation of a promotion, etc.

Regimental Sergeants Major in the Canadian Forces are sometimes informally referred to in third person by their appointment, for example "RSM Bloggins" while their commanding officers universally hold the privilege of addressing them as "RSM" (and the practice of doing so by subordinates may be governed by regimental tradition). In no case is an RSM supposed to be addressed simply as "Sergeant Major".

The practice of subordinates addressing the RSM as "Sir" or "Ma'am" applies only to Regimental Sergeants Major who are army or air force CWOs; naval CPO1s are universally addressed as "Chief", regardless of any appointments held.

The equivalent position in a higher formation, such as a brigade-group or Land Force Area, is sometimes termed "Regimental Sergeant Major" (for example, the Regimental Sergeant Major of 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group [1]), but this practice is not universal (for example, the Brigade Sergeant Major of 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group [2]).

[edit] Singapore

Like most Commonwealth forces, the RSM in the Singapore Armed Forces is usually the senior warrant officer of the unit. Depending on the size of the unit, they can be Second (2WO), First (1WO), Master (MWO), or Senior (SWO) Warrant Officers.

Exceptions to this are:

in the presence of a comparatively senior warrant officer holding a commissioned officer's appointment (often in the field of logistics).
in NS (reserve equivalent) battalions which often have NSmen junior sergeants fast-tracked for promotion holding the RSM appointment.

During exercises and operations, the role of the RSM is to organize the battalion for movement, and to assist the S1 (Manpower Officer) in manpower administration.^[1]

In camp, he is the master of drill, parades, and ceremonies. He supervises the Company Sergeant Majors and Platoon Sergeants in the instruction of drill, and is in charge of the organization of formal parades. On the parade square, the RSM, with his pace stick, is "king". He has authority over all soldiers there, will admonish and even order punishment for the officers if necessary. The RSM usually conducts "subalterns' parades" - private sessions for the junior officers (subalterns - captains and below) are given opportunities to perfect their foot drill and sword drill away from the critical eyes of the other ranks.

In Singapore, it is no disrespect for officers to address him as "RSM". As a warrant officer, he is addressed "Sir" by those junior in rank. As one of the older non-commissioned officers, he is often addressed "encik" (meaning "uncle") as well, though permission to do so by the junior ranks should not be taken for granted.

[edit] United Kingdom

In the British Army, the RSM is never addressed as "Sergeant Major"; he is addressed as "Mr (surname)" by officers, and as "Sir" or "Mr (surname), Sir" by his subordinates. Only his commanding officer (the Lieutenant-Colonel commanding his battalion or regiment) has the privilege of addressing him as "RSM". Unlike most warrant officers, an RSM wears a Sam Browne instead of a sash.

[edit] United States

The equivalent rank in the US Army is a Command Sergeant Major.

The billet of Regimental Sergeant Major exists in the United States Marine Corps. In the USMC a Regimental Sergeant Major is the senior enlisted advisor to the Regimental Commander.