What exactly does a Command Sergeant Major (CSM) do?

Hmmmm, not real sure....you should go kick in the door to your CSM and ask him just what the heck he does.

Just Kidding, don't do that. I don't want you to have a significant emotional event. CSM's advises and assists the Commander in training and welfare of all soldiers of the command. The CSM's (also known as crusty old bastards or Old SOB's) comments are all pretty good since they probably had to help write a few of their NCOERs

Ask your Dad.

My CSM is pretty laid back, very approachable. He corrects people, engages with the junior enlisted. He asks questions about them, their MOS, how they're doing. Stuff like that. You also get this feeling that you shouldn't mess with him, has a kind of presence. As for his actual duties I imagine he advises the LTC and speaks with all the S-Shops.

Squares people away, mostly.

Before I patronize a response, your profile only shows your name. What was your position in the military? Then I can appropriately shape my response ensuring it would relate to your experience.

Wow, lets see:.. "Walks around like a ninja", "Good ones also terrorize", "pretty much what he/she wants to do", "drink coffee, smoke a cigar, NCO club for lunch, off to gulf club for beers and a cigar".. "routinely schmooze" ... Gee, sounds like a prerequisite for a position with Congress..

When they first came out with the SGM, he did the same thing he did as an E-8 at Bn Hqs.
Nothing. He would drink his coffee, smoke a cigar and call the 1SGs of the units and remind them of Police Call. By then it was lunch, so off to the NCO Club. When he left the club, stopped by the Golf Club (they served beer then), back to Bh Hq for another cigar, then home. I know thing have evolved now; they can't smoke in Bn Hqs. :):)

In addition to being an advisor to the Commander on all matters of the enlisted Soldiers, individual training, and caretaker of the Army/unit history, customs, courtesies, and traditions. While the Commander may charge the Command Sergeant Major (CSM) with specific areas that he/she wants the CSM to focus on. A Commander will seek the CSM's counsel based on the years of experience and education gained through hands-on, authentic training and combat zone experiences, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development courses, and civilian education. Additionally, Mission Command empowers subordinate leaders, such as the CSM, in decision-making and decentralized execution appropriate to the situation. In today's Army, the CSM is responsible for setting the expectations and appointing someone to run the NCODP, Best Squad, and Best Soldier Competitions. At the Division and Brigade level, the CSM provides guidance and support to the S-3 or G-3 Ops SGM on BMM, Annual Area Beautification, CoRs, CoCs, and Pay Day Activity observances. Interviewing and selecting the HHC 1SG, a hand in the Battalion CSMs, and mentoring junior officers and NCOs, for example.

Command Sergeant Sergeant Major's are over rated and only care for themselves and friends. If you ever cross a CSM in the wrong way they will make sure they call all their fellow CSMs to put that soldier on the black list, I've seen it happen it's called the "Good Old Boy Network". The military has to way too many CSM in every branch of the service. When I was on active you had one SMS for each branch of service and 1 SM per Battalion (later to become CSM) and 1 Post CSM. Hell not you have a CSM for everything. Go back to the OLD way make rank what it should be. I was at Fort Lewis in 1982 sitting at the Officer's Club having a drink. Because the O Club was going in the black so they opened the club to Senior NCO E7 and above. While sitting there enjoying a cold beer and the Post CSM came in and took a stool not far from me and looked at me and ask “ what are you doing here” when I told him the club was open to all Senior NCO he turn and did not say anything. The next day a Memo came out from his office saying that only Senior NCOs in the rank of E8 and above was authorized you utilize the O Club. Need say no more…. End of story….

Makes life miserable for all who come in contact with him by acting like an entitled bully. The CSM rank is the most useless, worthless rank in the entire army.