Staff or Command ?

2014-04-28T19:30:32-04:00

Talking to a friend of mine that is in the Marines explained to me that senior NCOs have the choice to elect between leadership positions like 1SG/CSM or MSG/SGM this way it allows them to choose a path dedicated to staff positions or direct leadership should the Army considered this option for its Senior NCOs ?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2014 7:35 PM

2014-04-28T19:35:48-04:00

I think it's a good idea. I want to make E8 but I don't nessecarly want to be a 1SG. Not that I don't think it's important but I hate playing politics and 1SGs do quite a bit of that. Everyone has their calling maybe Soldiers know which route suits them best.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Apr 28 at 2014 8:16 PM

2014-04-28T20:16:57-04:00

When you think about it, this is really the same as the discussions for whether or not to return to the Specialist 5 and above ranks only for pay grades 8-9. The same logic for and against would apply here as well.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2014 8:44 PM

2014-04-28T20:44:04-04:00

Yes, Marine Corps Staff Non-commissioned Officers (SNCOs) at the rank of GySgt (E7) have two potential routes, the career "fork-in-the-road" at this point is either higher-level leadership or technical/staff... there's the 1stSgt (E8) to SgtMaj (E9) that roughly equates to the CSM route, or the MSgt (E8) to MGySgt (E9) route. The education, grooming, and assignments are of course different for each route, I've attached the progression chart to provide a visual. Perhaps some currently serving Marines can provide a bit more info on the similarities/differences and pros vs. cons of this compared to the current Army system.

Response by SFC Stephen Carden made Apr 28 at 2014 9:50 PM

2014-04-28T21:50:09-04:00

I don't know about that. I kind of like the fact that we have the option of serving in staff positions as a MSG, then we still have the opportunity to advance to CSM. In my particular field, the push is for having only qualified jumpmasters occupy 1SG positions. For guys like me, non-JMs, that is basically telling us that, unless there is an extenuating circumstance, we will never be 1SGs. Does that carry over to the SGM vs. CSM positions? Probably. Not that guys in my career field will ever find out unless some of our old crusty CSMs retire soon (jk Sergeant Major). But that is a somewhat unique situation within my MOS and possibly one or two others. The Army as a whole still offers the opportunity for an NCO who has never served as a 1SG to make CSM. Now, serving as a 1SG sure gives you an advantage but, someone please correct me if I am wrong, it is not a requirement by regulation that I know of.

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Apr 28 at 2014 11:37 PM

2014-04-28T23:37:09-04:00

The Army does consider this...for E-9s.

You have the option to compete for Command Sergeant Major (CSM) or work as a Sergeant Major (SGM).

Response by CWO2 Shelby DuBois made Apr 30 at 2014 9:38 AM

2014-04-30T09:38:21-04:00

It's a great career path option. Of course, the slots for SgtMaj/First Shirt are fewer and therefore more comptetitive, but well worth it. And yes, that 'bursting bomb' is pretty cool.