# Sergeant Major of the Army

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Senior enlisted member of the U.S. Army

For the British Army equivalent, see [Army Sergeant Major](/source/Army_Sergeant_Major). For the Danish Army equivalent, see [Sergeant Major of the Army (Denmark)](/source/Sergeant_Major_of_the_Army_(Denmark)). For the Australian Army equivalent, see [Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army (Australia)](/source/Regimental_Sergeant_Major_of_the_Army_(Australia)). For the South African Army equivalent, see [Sergeant Major of the Army (South Africa)](/source/Sergeant_Major_of_the_Army_(South_Africa)).

United States Sergeant Major of the Army Sergeant Major of the Army left collar brass insignia Flag of the SMA Incumbent Michael R. Weimer since 4 August 2023 United States Army Abbreviation SMA Reports to Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army Formation 11 July 1966; 59 years ago (1966-07-11) First holder William O. Wooldridge Salary $10,758.00 per month, regardless of the incumbent's service longevity [1] Website Official website

The **sergeant major of the Army** (**SMA**) is a unique [noncommissioned](/source/Non-commissioned_officer) rank and position of office in the [United States Army](/source/United_States_Army). The holder of this rank and position is the most senior [enlisted](/source/Enlisted_rank) soldier in the Army, unless an enlisted soldier is serving as the [senior enlisted advisor to the chairman](/source/Senior_Enlisted_Advisor_to_the_Chairman). The SMA is appointed to serve as a spokesman to address the issues of enlisted soldiers to all officers, from [warrant officers](/source/Warrant_officer) and lieutenants to the Army's highest positions. As such, they are the senior enlisted advisor to the [chief of staff of the Army](/source/Chief_of_Staff_of_the_United_States_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 with soldiers and their families.

[Kenneth O. Preston](/source/Kenneth_O._Preston) held the rank from 15 January 2004 through 28 February 2011, the only incumbent to serve longer than five years.[2] SMA [Michael R. Weimer](/source/Michael_R._Weimer) has held the office since 4 August 2023.[3][4]

The SMA is designated a special [paygrade](/source/U.S._uniformed_services_pay_grades) above [E-9](/source/Uniformed_services_pay_grades_of_the_United_States#Enlisted). While the SMA is a non-commissioned officer, protocol places the SMA higher than all [lieutenant generals](/source/Lieutenant_general_(United_States))[5] (except for the Director of the Army Staff) and equivalent to a [general](/source/General_(United_States)) for formal courtesies in addition to seating, billeting, transportation, and parking.

## History

The rank and position were based on those of the [sergeant major of the Marine Corps](/source/Sergeant_Major_of_the_Marine_Corps) (established in its current incarnation on 23 May 1957).[6] 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 adviser 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](/source/Vietnam_War), [Sergeant Major](/source/Sergeant_major#United_States) [William O. Wooldridge](/source/William_O._Wooldridge) of the [1st Infantry Division](/source/1st_Infantry_Division_(United_States)).[7]

The other services later followed, creating the positions of [Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy](/source/Master_Chief_Petty_Officer_of_the_Navy) and [Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force](/source/Chief_Master_Sergeant_of_the_Air_Force) in 1967, [Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard](/source/Master_Chief_Petty_Officer_of_the_Coast_Guard) in 1969, [Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman](/source/Senior_Enlisted_Advisor_to_the_Chairman) in 2005, and [Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force](/source/Chief_Master_Sergeant_of_the_Space_Force) in 2020. These seven positions are collectively referred to as "senior enlisted advisors" ("SEAs").

## Insignia

	- SMA insignia timeline

		- 1966–1979 Goldenlite stripes for [Army Green "Class A"](/source/Army_Service_Uniform) service uniform

		- 1979–1994 for Army Green "Class A" service uniform

		- 1994–2015[8] for Army Green "Class A" service uniform

		- 2010–present, green background replaced with dark blue for [Army Blue Service Uniform (ASU)](/source/Army_Service_Uniform)

		- 2019–present, tan on olive for use on [Army Green Service Uniform (AGSU)](/source/Army_Service_Uniform) replaced the dark blue as the primary uniform.

The sergeant major of the Army, like counterparts in the other branches, wears a unique rank insignia, including a unique collar insignia ("brass").

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](/source/Aide_de_camp#United_States) (less the surmounting eagle), placed upon an [enlisted collar disk](/source/U.S._Army_Service_Uniform#NCOs_.26_enlisted_personnel) of gold color, one inch in diameter. The insignia worn by the first Sergeant Major of the Army William O. Wooldridge was hand-soldered by Colonel Jasper J. Wilson from the cannibalized insignia and enlisted collar brass of an aide. The insignia was approved on 4 July 1966.[9] 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.[10] This insignia is also worn in place of a unit insignia on the SMA's beret, garrison cap, and pull-over sweater.[11] The collar insignia of the senior enlisted advisor to the chairman ("SEAC") 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 (without the surmounting eagle), on a gold-colored disk.

Sergeant Major of the Army Cap Insignia

The SMA's cap device, worn on the front of the blue [service cap](/source/Peaked_cap) (and, formerly, the white service cap; and, until 2011 the green service cap) is a gold-colored rendering of the United States' coat of arms, surrounded by a wreath.[12] 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 (males) or surrounded by a gold colored ring (females).[13] 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, [chief master sergeant of the Space Force](/source/Chief_Master_Sergeant_of_the_Space_Force), and the [senior enlisted advisor to the chairman](/source/Senior_Enlisted_Advisor_to_the_Chairman) are the only members of the United States armed forces below the rank of [brigadier general](/source/Brigadier_general)/[rear admiral, lower half](/source/Rear_admiral_(United_States)#Rear_admiral_(lower_half)) to be authorized a positional color (flag). First considered in 1992,[14] the SMA's color has been authorized since 22 March 1999.[15] It is based on the design of his collar insignia and the [positional flag of the Chief of Staff, Army](/source/Chief_of_Staff_of_the_United_States_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

No. Portrait SMA[16] Took office Left office Time in office Chief of Staff 1 Wooldridge, WilliamWilliam O. Wooldridge (1922–2012) 11 July 1966 31 August 1968 2 years, 51 days Harold K. Johnson William Westmoreland 2 Dunaway, GeorgeGeorge W. Dunaway (1922–2008) 1 September 1968 30 September 1970 2 years, 29 days William Westmoreland 3 Copeland, SilasSilas L. Copeland (1920–2001) 1 October 1970 30 June 1973 2 years, 272 days William Westmoreland Creighton Abrams 4 Autreve, LeonLeon L. Van Autreve (1920–2002) 1 July 1973 30 June 1975 1 year, 364 days Creighton Abrams Frederick C. Weyand 5 Bainbridge, WilliamWilliam G. Bainbridge (1925–2008) 1 July 1975 30 June 1979 3 years, 364 days Frederick C. Weyand Bernard W. Rogers Edward C. Meyer 6 Connelly, WilliamWilliam A. Connelly (1931–2019) 1 July 1979 30 June 1983 3 years, 364 days Edward C. Meyer 7 Morrell, GlenGlen E. Morrell (1936–2023) 1 July 1983 30 June 1987 3 years, 364 days John A. Wickham Jr. Carl E. Vuono 8 Gates, JuliusJulius W. Gates (born 1941) 1 July 1987 30 June 1991 3 years, 364 days Carl E. Vuono Gordon R. Sullivan 9 Kidd, RichardRichard A. Kidd (born 1943) 1 July 1991 16 June 1995 3 years, 350 days Gordon R. Sullivan 10 McKinney, GeneGene C. McKinney (born 1950) 30 June 1995 13 October 1997 2 years, 105 days Gordon R. Sullivan Dennis Reimer 11 Hall, RobertRobert E. Hall (born 1947) 13 October 1997 23 June 2000 2 years, 266 days Dennis Reimer Eric Shinseki 12 Tilley, JackJack L. Tilley (born 1948) 23 June 2000 15 January 2004 3 years, 206 days Eric Shinseki Peter Schoomaker 13 Preston, KennethKenneth O. Preston (born 1957) 15 January 2004 1 March 2011 7 years, 45 days Peter Schoomaker George W. Casey Jr. 14 Chandler, RaymondRaymond F. Chandler (born 1962) 1 March 2011 30 January 2015 3 years, 335 days George W. Casey Jr. Martin Dempsey Raymond T. Odierno 15 Dailey, DanielDaniel A. Dailey (born 1969) 30 January 2015 9 August 2019 4 years, 191 days Raymond T. Odierno Mark A. Milley 16 Grinston, MichaelMichael A. Grinston (born 1968) 9 August 2019 4 August 2023 3 years, 360 days James C. McConville 17 Weimer, MichaelMichael R. Weimer (born c. 1971) 4 August 2023 Incumbent 2 years, 333 days Randy A. George

### Timeline

## See also

- [Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff](/source/Senior_Enlisted_Advisor_to_the_Chairman)

- [Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps](/source/Sergeant_Major_of_the_Marine_Corps)

- [Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy](/source/Master_Chief_Petty_Officer_of_the_Navy)

- [Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force](/source/Chief_Master_Sergeant_of_the_Air_Force)

- [Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force](/source/Chief_Master_Sergeant_of_the_Space_Force)

- [Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard](/source/Master_Chief_Petty_Officer_of_the_Coast_Guard)

- [Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Reserve Force](/source/Master_Chief_Petty_Officer_of_the_Coast_Guard_Reserve_Force)

- [Senior Enlisted Advisor for the National Guard Bureau](/source/Senior_Enlisted_Advisor_for_the_National_Guard_Bureau)

- [Army Staff Senior Warrant Officer](/source/Army_Staff_Senior_Warrant_Officer)

- [Command Sergeant Major of the Army Reserve](/source/Command_Sergeant_Major_of_the_US_Army_Reserve)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-pay_1-0)** ["Defense Finance and Accounting Service > MilitaryMembers > payentitlements > Pay Tables > Basic Pay > EM"](https://www.dfas.mil/militarymembers/payentitlements/Pay-Tables/Basic-Pay/EM/). *www.dfas.mil*. Retrieved 23 July 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Sergeant Major Kenneth O. Preston - Sergeant Major Army"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070912054422/https://www.army.mil/leaders/leaders/sma/index.html). Archived from [the original](https://www.army.mil/leaders/leaders/sma/index.html) on 12 September 2007. Retrieved 22 September 2007.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Weimer selected as 17th Sergeant Major of the Army"](https://www.army.mil/article/262671/command_sgt_maj_michael_weimer_selected_as_17th_sergeant_major_of_the_army). *U.S. Army*. [Washington, D. C.](/source/Washington%2C_D._C.): U.S. Army Public Affairs. 12 December 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Webcast: Relinquishment of Responsibility for GEN James McConville / Change of Responsibility SMA Michael Grinston"](https://www.dvidshub.net/webcast/32423). *DVIDS*. Retrieved 28 July 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["A Guide to Protocol and Etiquette for Official Entertainment"](https://www.westpointaog.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Protocol-and-Etiquette-Guide.pdf) (PDF). *West Point Association of Graduates*. [United States Department of the Army](/source/United_States_Department_of_the_Army). 11 December 2001. p. 24. Retrieved 27 May 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps"](https://www.smmc.marines.mil/History/). *Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps (SMMC)*. United States Marine Corps. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240313030353/https://www.smmc.marines.mil/History/) from the original on 13 March 2024. Retrieved 13 March 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Sergeants Major of the Army"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150213223055/https://www.army.mil/leaders/sma/former/). *army.mil*. Archived from [the original](https://www.army.mil/leaders/sma/former/) on 13 February 2015. Retrieved 31 January 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["The end of the Green Service Uniform: 1954-2015"](https://www.armytimes.com/story/military/careers/army/2015/10/01/rip-green-service-uniform-1954-2015/73142376/). 5 May 2016.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Elder, Daniel K. (2003). *The Sergeants Major of the Army* (Revised ed.). Washington, DC: [United States Army Center of Military History](/source/United_States_Army_Center_of_Military_History). p. 7.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Army Regulation 670-1, paras 28-4*b*, 28-9*i*(4), 28-10*b*(32).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** AR 670-1, paras 28-22*d*(1), 28-22*f*(3).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** AR 670-1, para 28-3*b*(3).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** AR 670-1, para 28-3*b*(4).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Elder, Daniel K. (2003). *The Sergeants Major of the Army* (Revised ed.). Washington, DC: United States Army Center of Military History. p. 40.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry ["Sergeant Major of the Army Flag Page"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090610110602/https://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Flags_Guidons/SergeantMajoroftheArmyFlag.htm). Archived from [the original](https://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Flags_Guidons/SergeantMajoroftheArmyFlag.htm) on 10 June 2009. Retrieved 18 November 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Former Sergeants Major of the Army"](https://www.army.mil/leaders/sma/). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090513203539/https://www.army.mil/leaders/sma/Former/) from the original on 13 May 2009. Retrieved 22 September 2007.

### Notes

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Sergeants Major of the United States Army](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Sergeants_Major_of_the_United_States_Army).

- [Official website](https://www.army.mil/leaders/sma/)

v t e United States enlisted ranks Pay grade Branch of service E-1 E-2 E-3 E-4 E-5 E-6 E-7 E-8 E-9 Special Army PVT PV2 PFC SPC – CPL SGT SSG SFC MSG – 1SG¹ SGM – CSM SEA – SMA – SEAC Marine Corps Pvt PFC LCpl Cpl Sgt SSgt GySgt MSgt – 1stSgt¹ MGySgt – SgtMaj SMMC – SEAC Navy SR SA SN PO3 PO2 PO1 CPO SCPO – CMDCS MCPO – CMDCM – FORCM, FLTCM MCPON – SEAC Air Force AB Amn A1C SrA SSgt TSgt MSgt – 1st Sgt¹ SMSgt – 1st Sgt¹ CMSgt – 1st Sgt¹ – CCM SEA – CMSAF – SEAC Space Force Spc1 Spc2 Spc3 Spc4 Sgt TSgt MSgt SMSgt CMSgt CMSSF – SEAC Coast Guard SR SA SN PO3 PO2 PO1 CPO SCPO MCPO – CMC – DMCPOCG2 MCPOCG For the Army and Air Force, first sergeants are temporary and lateral ranks and are senior to their non-diamond counterparts, while Marine Corps first sergeants have no lateral movement within paygrade and is a permanent rank. The rank insignia is used by other Coast Guard senior enlisted leaders.

v t e United States Army Leadership Secretary of the Army Under Secretary of the Army Chief of Staff Vice Chief of Staff 4-star generals 3-star generals 1798–1959 1990–1999 2000–2009 2010–2019 2020–present Army Staff Senior Warrant Officer Sergeant Major of the Army House Armed Services Committee (House Subcommittee on Air and Land Forces) Senate Committee on Armed Services (Senate Subcommittee on Air and Land Forces) Components and commands Regular Army Army Reserve Army National Guard Active Units Reorganization plan of United States Army Commands Materiel Transformation and Training Western Hemisphere Service components Central Europe and Africa Pacific North South Cyber Special Operations Space and Missile Defense Transportation Direct reporting units Arlington National Cemetery Acquisition Support Center Civilian Human Resources Agency Criminal Investigation Division Corrections Command Corps of Engineers Human Resources Command Intelligence and Security Command Joint Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office Medical Command Military District of Washington Military Postal Service Agency Reserve Command Test and Evaluation Command Military Academy Field armies First Third Fifth Sixth Seventh Eighth Ninth Branches Acquisition Corps Adjutant General's Corps Air Defense Artillery Branch Armor Branch Aviation Branch Army Band Chaplain Corps Chemical Corps Civil Affairs Corps Corps of Engineers Cyber Corps Dental Corps Field Artillery Branch Finance Corps Infantry Branch Inspector General's Corps Judge Advocate General's Corps Logistics Branch Medical Corps Medical Service Corps Medical Specialist Corps Military Intelligence Corps Military Police Corps Nurse Corps Ordnance Corps Psychological operations Quartermaster Corps Signal Corps (Signal Corps Radio) Special Forces Transportation Corps Veterinary Corps Installations United States (Former) Overseas Germany Japan Kuwait South Korea US military installation lists Training Basic Training BOLC ROTC (ECP) OCS WOBC WOCS Military Academy (West Point) MOS Uniforms and insignia Awards and decorations Badges Branch Officer Warrant Enlisted World War I World War II Uniforms Equipment Crew-served weapons Individual weapons Vehicles Premier ensembles Army Band Army Field Band Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps West Point Band History and traditions History Continental Army Union army National Army Army of the United States Center of Military History Institute of Heraldry America's Army Army Art Program Flag National Museum West Point Museum Rangers U.S. Army Regimental System Soldier's Creed "The Army Goes Rolling Along" Division nicknames Draft Service numbers Seventh Army Symphony Orchestra Historical Buffalo Soldiers Army Air Forces Army Service Forces Women's Army Corps Rough Riders U.S. Cavalry United States Colored Troops United States Army Hospital Corps U.S. Sanitary Commission 250th Anniversary Parade Category

v t e Military senior enlisted advisor posts Australia Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of Defence Force Warrant Officer of the Air Force Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army Warrant Officer of the Navy Canada Canadian Forces Chief Warrant Officer Chief Warrant Officer of the Canadian Army Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Chief Warrant Officer of the Air Force Denmark Sergeant Major of the Army Master chief petty officer of the Navy Chief Master Sergeant of the RDAF Command Sergeant Major of the Home Guard India Navy Master Chief Petty Officer IAF Master Warrant Officer Maldives Sergeant Major of the MNDF New Zealand Warrant Officer of the NZDF Warrant Officer of the Air Force Sergeant Major of the Army Warrant officer of the Navy Singapore Sergeant Major of the Army Master Chief Navy Air Force Command Chief South Africa Warrant Officer of the South African National Defence Force Master at Arms of the Navy Sergeant Major of the Army Sergeant Major of the Air Force Sergeant Major of the Military Health Service United Kingdom Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chiefs of Staff Committee Warrant Officer to the Royal Navy Corps Regimental Sergeant Major (Royal Marines) Army Sergeant Major Warrant Officer of the Royal Air Force United States Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman Sergeant Major of the Army Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Senior Enlisted Advisor for the National Guard Bureau Command Chief Master Sergeant, Air National Guard National Command Chief of the Civil Air Patrol List

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