sergeant major

noun

1. U.S. Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps. a noncommissioned officer serving as chief administrative assistant in a unit headquarters.
2. U.S. Marine Corps. a noncommissioned officer ranking above a first sergeant.
3. a small damselfish, Abudefduf saxatilis, inhabiting warm Atlantic waters, having vertical black stripes on each side.

sergeant major

noun

1. a noncommissioned officer of the highest rank or having specific administrative tasks in branches of the armed forces of various countries
2. a large damselfish, Abudefduf saxatilis, having a bluish-grey body marked with black stripes

Word History and Origins

Origin of sergeant major¹

First recorded in 1565–75

Example Sentences

He achieved the rank of command sergeant major, one of the Army’s highest enlisted ranks, but retired as a master sergeant because he did not complete the required coursework required to keep the higher title.

From Los Angeles Times

The Minnesota governor achieved the rank of command sergeant major, one of the Army’s highest enlisted ranks, but retired as a master sergeant because he did not complete the required coursework required to keep the higher title.

From Los Angeles Times

His governor’s biography website calls him “Command Sergeant Major Walz,” and his and Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign site says he rose to that rank.

From Los Angeles Times

The Trump campaign says Mr Walz “continues telling the lie that he retired as a Command Sergeant Major”.

From BBC

His official biography on the Minnesota state website says “Command Sergeant Major Walz retired from the 1-125th Field Artillery Battalion in 2005.”

From BBC