{{italic title}} '''''Sargento mayor''''' ("sergeant major") was a rank immediately below that of ''maestre de campo'' in the Spanish ''tercios'' of the 16th and 17th centuries. Initially second in rank to a ''coronel'' ("colonel") in a ''colunella'', the ''sargento mayor'' became second in rank to the ''maestre de campo'' after the creation of the ''tercio''s in 1534. He took care of the tactical training, security and lodging of the troops of the ''tercio''. He also transmitted the orders of the ''maestre de campo'' or the ''capitán general'' to subordinate officers.
== 16th and 17th centuries == {{unreferenced section|date=August 2025}} Initially second in command below Colonel in a ''coronelía'', the ''Sargento Mayor'' later came to occupy the position immediately below the ''Maestre de Campo'' after the creation of the ''tercios'' in 1534 and until 1600. The rank was in charge of teaching tactics, security and lodging of ''tercio'' troops. Would also delegate orders from the ''Maestre de Campo'' or the ''Capitán General'' to lower level officers.
== Nineteenth century == In Argentina, since the 1813 law in which ranks where divided into three groups, Oficiales generales, oficiales jefes y oficiales (general officers, lead officers, and officers), the rank of Sargento Mayor was part Oficiales jefes (lead officers), intermediately above Capitán (and officer) and intermediately below Teniente Coronel (Lieutenant Colonel), with the latter below Coronel (Colonel), from where a promotion lead to the Oficiales Generales (General officers).<ref>[http://www.soldadosdigital.com/2010/pdf/grados-militares.pdf ''Historia de los Grados Militares.''] Sergio Toyos. SoldadosDigital.com p. 5. Archived 24 September 2015. [https://web.archive.org/web/20150924103618/http://www.soldadosdigital.com/2010/pdf/grados-militares.pdf ''Archived on 24 September 2015.'']</ref>
== Today == thumb|100px|left|Chevron for SM Sargento Mayor in the Colombia Army. thumb|100px|right|Chevron for CM Comisario at the Colombia National Police.
In Colombia, Sargento Mayor is the top rank within the sub-officers of Colombia Armed Forces as well as the National Police; the rank is intermediately above Sargento Primero (First Sergeant). In the executive level of the Colombia National Police, it is equivalent to the rank of ''Comisario''.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090619211412/http://www.mindefensa.gov.co/descargas2/anexos/3801_Decreto__132_de_1995.doc Decreto 132 de 1995 (enero 13)]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090508153651/http://fuerzasmilitares.org/normatividad/normatividad/decreto_1791_2000_carrera_pnc.htm DECRETO 1791 DE 2000 (septiembre 14)]</ref><ref>[http://instructivono081dipon-ogesi.blogspot.com/ Instructivo N° 081/ DIPON – OGESI del 5 de septiembre de 2005]</ref> In Colombia's Military Forces there are three levels of ''Sargento Mayor''.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090619212402/http://www.mindefensa.gov.co/descargas2/anexos/6664_Decreto_1428_de_2007.PDF Decreto 1428 de 2007]</ref>
==See also== * Teniente a guerra * Santa Hermandad * Corregidor * Alcalde * Alcalde ordinario * Corregidor * Cabildo (council) * Regidor * Síndico * Ayuntamiento * Corregimiento * Alcalde de la Santa Hermandad
{{clear}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [https://www.geoisla.com/2019/01/guardia-civil-espanola-c-1898/ Guardia Civil Española (c. 1898) (Includes military ranks in 1880s Spanish Empire.)]
Category:Military ranks Category:Military history of Spain Category:Spanish colonial governors and administrators Category:Early modern history of Spain Category:14th-century establishments in Spain Category:1800s disestablishments Category:Positions of subnational authority