As a Soldier, what are some expectations you have for your Command Sergeant Major?

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 09:32:21 -0500

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2019 9:59 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 09:59:15 -0500

The best CSM's i had during my career had a lot, if not all of the following traits:
1. Approachable (I should never be afraid to go to the CSM with an issue or problem.)
2. Engaged (I would always so the good CSM's out and about, not stuck in his office or hiding.)
3. Fair but firm. (If punishment was to be meted out, it was fair based on each individual, no favoritism)
4. Transparent (No hidden agendas)
5. Eyes, ears, and Most importantly, THE VOICE of the enlisted. ( He/She has the pulse of the unit and is always looking out for our best interest. With mission accomplishment always #1 of course.
6. Sense of humor (There are times when you just need a laugh, not everything is so serious)
7. Set the example for all to follow (Not let the BN runs become Officer led) haha

These are just a few off the top of my head from the Men/Women i admired most throughout my career.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2019 10:14 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 10:14:33 -0500

There is nothing I can add that MSG Private RallyPoint Member hasn't already stated.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2019 10:15 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 10:15:47 -0500

I expect a CSM to be someone that doesn't evoke an evasion response from soldiers when they see him/her approaching. The CSM should be someone that any soldier in the unit is happy to have the opportunity to speak with. Soldiers should feel like they can count on the CSM to move mountains to make sure that any issue they have is immediately and appropriately addressed.

"The day the soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help them or concluded that you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership." ― Colin Powell

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Dec 23 at 2019 10:44 AM

CSM Richard StCyr — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 10:44:15 -0500

The CSMs I admired were;
-Strict but fair
-Approachable but not lax
-Setting the example by being involved in training and missions

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2019 11:20 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 11:20:57 -0500

1. Maintain unit standards. When the CSM is in the Company area, it should be a little like when Darth Vader inspects the stormtroopers. No NCO wants to be the one who wasn't maintaining the standard.

And most importantly
2. The staunchest advocate for the enlisted Soldiers. Forget the last Vader remark the real Vador is when the CSM finds out DPW hasn't fixed issues in the Barracks, Finance hasn't fixed a Soldier's pay, or even the BN commander has a policy doesn't take care of Soldiers when it could (behind closed doors of course).

Response by SFC Marc W. made Dec 23 at 2019 3:48 PM

SFC Marc W. — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 15:48:05 -0500

The only thing I've ever wanted from a Command Sergeant Major is for them to pretend the word "command" doesn't exist in their rank. I don't need them to create some stupid ass acronym for their "command philosophy". They don't command anything. They are the senior most enlisted person to the commander to provide advice and counsel of the enlisted perspective as well as provide the commander access to their vast 20+ years of experience. Let's face it, officers have mostly staff experience by the time they're LTCs commanding a battalion.

I'd love for a CSM to step away from meetings and let the OPs SGM handle those, get out with soldiers, show them the dying art of field craft, tips, tricks, show the new PSG how to avoid that giant screw up you had in front of the BDE commander at JRTC, show PFC billy badass you can still disassemble and reassemble a 240 faster than him, show the young SL how to make a training program for his squad. All I want is a CSM that acts like he's enlisted instead of some hybrid officer.

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made Dec 23 at 2019 8:18 PM

CPL Gary Pifer — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 20:18:06 -0500

Always avoided... I stayed as far away as possible..

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Dec 23 at 2019 9:03 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 21:03:44 -0500

Sets a really good example for NCOs for how to best balance the NCO-Officer working relationship

Response by 1SG John Highfill made Dec 23 at 2019 9:06 PM

1SG John Highfill — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 21:06:08 -0500

Know your Soldiers what they do and how they do it get out from behind your desk

Response by 1SG John Highfill made Dec 23 at 2019 9:16 PM

1SG John Highfill — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 21:16:03 -0500

Be approachable know Soldier should be afraid to talk to you . Learn their jobs and how they do it . Get out from behind your desk

Response by SPC Stewart Smith made Dec 23 at 2019 10:42 PM

SPC Stewart Smith — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 22:42:38 -0500

I expect you to find humor when a private walks into your office and takes pictures in a spiderman costume with his feet on your desk if you keep it unsecured.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2019 11:26 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 23:26:12 -0500

To be the most professional soldier in the unit, the standard bearer. Advocate for enlisted soldiers and ensure NCOs are mentoring junior officers.

Response by LCpl Russell Wallace made Dec 24 at 2019 12:53 PM

LCpl Russell Wallace — Tue, 24 Dec 2019 12:53:14 -0500

Throat punch all junior enlisted who approach and tell them to take it up with their squad leader. Ramble incoherently, at battalion formations, for an extra hour or two so that everyone is fully aware of the dangers of rape and DUI.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2019 1:28 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Dec 2019 13:28:15 -0500

I also expect a CSM to not be a negative stereotype.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2019 1:44 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Dec 2019 13:44:19 -0500

All of the comments here are valid and mirror my expectations. One thing I haven’t seen though, is potentially the hardest (not just for a CSM, but for all levels of enlisted advisors). Sometimes we as senior NCOs need to apply a common sense litmus test to some of the ideas that are put forth, and advocate for a COA/COAs that still meet the CDRs intent while minimizing negative impact on subordinates.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2019 4:13 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Dec 2019 16:13:06 -0500

To socialize with the soldiers and see how they are doing not just stay cooped at at battalion, my last CSM was the office type didn’t really get around and meet people but my new CSM gets around asks how your day is and socializes. It gives you a “hey I like this guy he actually talks to us” unlike the last one where when people saw him they either walked the other way or tried to avoid his path.

Response by MSG Frank Kapaun made Dec 24 at 2019 4:47 PM

MSG Frank Kapaun — Tue, 24 Dec 2019 16:47:06 -0500

What did I expect out of my CSMs? I expected them to be bullies, petty tyrants and only concerned with their own careers. The terms lap dog, apparatchik, and boot licker were expected to apply. If a CSM proved me wrong, goody for him.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2019 9:02 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Dec 2019 21:02:46 -0500

This is a great post and I appreciate the question and all of the comments. I just want two quickly sum up my top two experiences with CSM’s
1. Always be willing and able to explain the method to the madness. CSM your SNCO’s and Soldiers will follow you to the ends of the earth if you are able to chew their a** then sit them down and explain what went wrong and how to they can get better.
2. Your replacement is out there somewhere and could very well be in your formation...ALWAYS make time for the Soldiers.