Posted on Apr 28, 2014
MSG Martin C.
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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 ?
Edited 12 y ago
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Col Regional Director, Whem/Ssa And Congressional Liaison
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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.
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SFC Stephen Carden
SFC Stephen Carden
12 y
I like the flaming bomb versus the diamond. Plus, you get to be called "Master Guns". How cool is that? Seriously though, I worked with Marines on two AFG deployments, and the MGySgt that I had daily contact with impressed me as a guy who knew exactly what he was doing. I never once met the 1stSgt or SgtMaj.
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Col Regional Director, Whem/Ssa And Congressional Liaison
Col (Join to see)
12 y
SFC Carden, great point and observation, and I couldn't agree more, I've had the distinct pleasure and professional privilege of being mentored by numerous MGySgts throughout the early portion of my career, both as an NCO and a young officer. Definitely provided a solid foundation, and I often refer back to those lessons, advice, and words of wisdom to this day... and yes, without-a-doubt nicknames just don't get any cooler than that! lol
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MSG Wade Huffman
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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.
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MSG Usarec Liason At Nrpc/Nara
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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.
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MSG Martin C.
MSG Martin C.
12 y
I could not agree with you more. There is Soldiers that perform better in areas when it's something they enjoy doing. Being a 1SG should be a rewarding job not a punishment of some sort. I personally want to be a 1SG not for the politics but to take care of joe......
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Staff or Command ?
SGM Matthew Quick
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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).
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CWO2 Shelby DuBois
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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.
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SFC Stephen Carden
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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.
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MSG Martin C.
MSG Martin C.
12 y
As far as I know is not mandatory but it is highly encouraged... Most Board AAR for SGM always comment how that is a plus...
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