Gunny
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- #41
The bottom line is that there is a difference between enlisted, warrant and commissioned personnel. They each have their role and 99.9% serve with honor and in a professional manner. There are a few who do not.
Historically, there was a time when "Sarge" was an acceptable form of address for enlisted noncommissioned officers. I know that it used to be ok to call a First Sergeant "Top" or "First Shirt"... it is no longer acceptable. Officers were and are always addressed as "Sir" or by their rank.
I suspect it began to change in the late 70's when (what I thought was a PC misguieded effort) junior enlisted became offended at some of the names NCOs used to refer to them (like "maggot" "dirtbag" and worse). Gradually, the rule was that NCOs MUST address junior enlisted by their name and rank ONLY. With that, terms like "Sarge" also went out the window.
Just for clarification: there are two ranks that are referred to as Sergeant Major. Both are E-9 paygrades. The first is Sergeant Major and refers to an E-9 who is a member of the commander's staff. This soldier generally works in the command's operation center and performs a variety of tasks, depending on the commanders desires. These individuals usually (though not always) answer to the S-3 or some other senior officer on the commander's staff.
The second is Command Sergeant Major. This individual is the senior enlisted person in the command and answers ONLY to the commander. When I say commander, it means an officer who is charge of a unit at battalion level or higher (battalion, brigade/regiment, division, and corps) or of a special unit authorized such a position. The CSM's job/tasks are defined by the commander but usually include responsibility for ensuring that the commander's policy is enforced, that the enlisted are being trained properly, and a host of other things. Because a CSM answers ONLY to one person he/she has very special responsibility and very special authority.
NOt every soldier attains the rank of Sergeant Major or CSM. While there are requirements for time in service, etc, the selection process is very stringent and the approval process for promotion to either rank is very lengthy, detailed and arduous. You can bet that a SM or CSM has been scrutinized in every way by everyone of any importance at the DoD and DA levels.
It's kinda sorta the same in the Corps. A SgtMaj is a Command SgtMaj, period, pretty much as you outlined above. He is the senior enlisted representative for and to the CO.
An E-9 who remains in his MOS as opposed to being part of the command structure is a Master Gunnery Sergeant. For E-8 the ranks are 1st Sergeant and MSgt. The former being on the command staff at the company level while the latter fills a billet based on his MOS and rank.
While choices have been in the past to support the needs of the Corps, in general, Marines are allowed to choose which path they wish to take (remaining in their MOS vs holding command billets).
At teh time I retired (2000) it was still acceptable to call a MSgt and or MGySgt "Top" IF he or she had no problem with it. It was never acceptable (during my 20 years anyway) to address either the 1stSgt or SgtMaj as "Top."
Promotion process for the Corps is the same as you mentioned. By the time one reaches E-8-9 level, the rank pyramid is pretty much at the top, and the Corps replaces one for one. Meaning, somebody has to go home for anyone to move up. Not only is one's record put through the ringer, but the Coprs is a small enough entity that politics also come into play because odds are good at the E-9 level one will know at least one or two people sitting on their promotion board.