Duties and Roles of the Battalion Command Sergeant Major

The battalion command sergeant major CSM, in peacetime, is the battalion commanders most important advisor. The CSM possesses more experience than any other person in the battalion. Consequently, the battalion commander must obtain the maximum effort of the CSM both in assignment of duties and responsibilities yet ensure he is properly integrated into the command structure of the battalion. Because there exists little substantive policy concerning the employment of the CSM at battalion level, the battalion commander must devote valuable time determining how to properly employ this critical asset. The author suggests appropriate duties and roles for the CSM at battalion level. The author recommends that the CMS should be involved in the training, maintaining, caring, and leading of the units soldiers. The relationship of the command sergeant major to the chain of command is also addressed.