Us Army Sergeants Major Academy Partnership
The U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy is the senior enlisted school for the Army. It is a 42-week military course preparing Career Senior Enlisted Soldiers to be promoted to the rank of E9 Sergeants Major and Command Sergeant Major. The Sergeants Major Academy is located at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas.
Excelsior University offers on-site classroom courses to support associate, bachelors, and masters degree programs. The degree programs offered include:
- Associate in Science in Liberal Arts
- Associate in Applied Science in Administrative Management Studies
- Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts
- Bachelor of Professional Studies in Business Management
- Master of Science in Management with concentrations in General Business, Human Resource Management, and Organizational Leadership
- Master of Science in Criminal Justice with concentration in Homeland Security and Emergency Management
Excelsior University also offers general education courses to support USASMAs Bachelor of Arts in Leadership Workforce Development. Excelsior University offers advising and student support services to students both on-site and online. Courses are offered in 8-week terms with the student cohort starting in the Fall I term and ending with the Summer I term.
Contact:
David Lawyer, Excelsior University Military Education RepresentativeUSASMA Learning Resource Center
Who Is Sgt Maj Michael Weimer
Weimer is a career special operator, according to his official biography and details released by Hewitt.
He joined the Army in 1993 and graduated from Special Forces Assessment and Selection in 1994, becoming a Special Forces weapons sergeant.
Since then, Weimer has served in multiple roles across the special operations community, including time with 7th Special Forces Group. He also served as the top NCO for the special operations task force in Afghanistan from 2019 to 2020.
Hewitt added that Weimer has a bachelors degree in strategic studies and defense analysis from Norwich University.
The Sergeants Major Of The Army: On Leadership And The Profession Of Arms
The history of the United States Army extends back to the Battle of Yorktown the position of Sergeant Major of the Army , however, did not exist until just 50 years ago. The Army Noncommissioned Officer Corps has changed considerably since 14 June 1775and so has the prestige of the professional enlisted force. The most noteworthy change for the total enlisted force was the creation of a position for a senior enlisted assistant and adviser to the Army Chief of Staff .
It was no accident that General Harold K. Johnson selected 4 July 1966 as the first effective day for the implementation of the SMA position, or that William O. Wooldridge was appointed as the first to serve. In his message to senior Army commanders, CSA Johnson stated that the SMAs duties and functions were to serve as the adviser on matters pertaining to enlisted Soldiers and as the point of contact for other services and civilian organizations and individuals. In the 51 years since that significant event, 15 of the most highly-qualified noncommissioned officers have been selected for and served in that illustrious position. Today, the SMA is designated as the senior enlisted NCO of the Army, serving as the senior enlisted adviser and consultant to the Secretary of the Army and the CSA.
Kenneth O. PrestonSergeant Major of the Army, USA, Ret.Vice President, NCO and Soldier ProgramsAssociation of the United States ArmyFebruary 2018
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Sergeant Major Of The Army
Jump to navigationJump to searchArmy Sergeant MajorSergeant Major of the Army Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army Sergeant Major of the Army
United StatesSergeant Major of the Army | |
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Sergeant Major of the Army left collar brass insignia | |
Flag of the SMA | |
11 July 1966 56 years ago | |
First holder | |
$9,109.50 per month, regardless of the incumbent’s service longevity | |
Website | Official website |
The Sergeant Major of the Army is a unique non-commissioned rank and position of office in the United States Army. The holder of this rank and position is the most senior enlisted soldier in the Army, unless a enlisted soldier is serving as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman. The SMA is appointed to serve as a spokesman to address the issues of enlisted soldiers to all officers, from warrant officers and lieutenants to the Army’s highest positions. As such, they are the senior enlisted advisor to the Chief of Staff of the Army. The exact duties vary depending on the chief of staff, though much of the SMA’s time is spent traveling throughout the Army, observing training and talking with soldiers and their families.
Kenneth O. Preston held the rank from 15 January 2004 through 28 February 2011, the only incumbent to serve longer than five years. SMA Michael A. Grinston has held the office since 9 August 2019.
How Much Does A Sergeant Major Earn

Basic pay for an entry-level Sergeant Major with Over 10 years of experience is $5,789.10 per month.
A Sergeant Major receives an automatic raise to their basic pay every one to two years.Basic pay is only a small percentage of a Sergeant Major’s final compensation package.
In addition to a monthly basic pay salary, a Army Sergeant Major may be eligible for multiple types of allowances and bonus pay including food allowance, retirement benefits, hostile fire pay, and more.
For full details on the Army’s Sergeant Major compensation and retirement plan, visit the 2022 Army Sergeant Major Pay Chart. A full table of the Army’s current paygrades are available at the Army Pay Chart.
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United States Corps Of Cadets West Point
CSM Robert T. Craven hails from Swords, Louisiana and enlisted in the U.S. Army in March 1995. Upon completion of Basic and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma he began his military career as a Field Artillery Surveyor. Eventually reclassifying as a MLRS/HIMARS Fire Direction Specialist, he would serve the Field Artillery Community in many positions ranging from Teams Chief to DIVARTY Command Sergeant Major.
Most recently, CSM Craven was the Command Sergeant Major for the 5th Security Force Assistance Brigade at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. Other notable assignments include working within the 2/320th Field Artillery Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, serving as the Artillery Command Sergeant Major, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia, and serving as the Corps G-3 Fires Sergeant Major XVIII Airborne Corps Headquarters at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. While Deployed with the Corps in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, he also assumed duties as the Combined Joint Task Force J-3 Sergeant Major.
CSM Cravens military education includes all levels of the Non-Commissioned Officer Education System culminating with the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy. Other courses attended include the U.S. Army Airborne School, Air Assault School, Combative Level 2, Master Resiliency Trainers Course, Battle Staff Course, First Sergeants Course, and the United States Army Force-Management Course.
Army Ranks: Junior Enlisted
The term as a military rank seems to come from the 16th century when individuals had the privilege of enlisting or making private contracts to serve as private soldiers in military units. Before then, many soldiers were forced into service by royalty or feudal lords.
Some sources claim that the use of “private” as an official “rank” dates back to the 18th century, when the French Army, under Napoleon, established the permanent rank of Soldat.
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Meet The Next Command Sergeant Major Of The Army
The new command sergeant major of the Army has just been announced, and its Green Beret CSM Michael Weimer. He will be taking over for the current sergeant major of the Army, Michael A. Grinston, in August 2023. Learn more about CSM Weimers achievements and accolades and why hes a great pick for the job below.
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St Command Sergeant Major
Command Sergeant Major Coffey is a native of Louisville, Kentucky and he enlisted in as an Infantryman in the United States Army in January of 1994.
His previous assignments include the 75th Ranger Regiment, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry, 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry, 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry, and 4th Brigade, 101st Airborne Division.
His most recent assignments include CSM 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry, CSM 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, CSM Operations Group, National Training Center and CSM 3rd Infantry Division.
CSM Coffey has deployments in support of Operation Uphold Democracy, Operation Safe Haven, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Freedoms Sentinel.
CSM Coffey is a graduate of all NCOES courses from Primary Leadership Development Course to the Nominative Leaders Course. CSM Coffey has completed Airborne School, Jumpmaster Course, Air Assault School, Ranger School, Pathfinder Course, Infantry Mortar Leaders Course, OC/T Course, the First Sergeants Course, Battalion and Brigade Pre-Command Course, and the Keystone Course. CSM Coffey holds an Associates Degree in Arts and Science from Pierce College and a Bachelor Degree in Organizational Leadership and Learning from the University of Louisville.
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Warrant Officer Class One P Carney
WO1 Carney was born in November 1979 in Gosport and joined the Army in January 1997 as a combat engineer and electrician in the Royal Engineers.
He has exercised around the world and operated in Macedonia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. WO1 Carneys Junior and Senior Non-Commissioned Officer roles were spread between close support armoured engineering and general support engineering.
As a Quartermaster Sergeant Instructor, he taught Troop Commanders and Sergeants Combat Engineering specialising on Demolitions and Bridging at the Royal Engineer Warfare Wing. He was the Squadron Sergeant Major of 20 Field Squadron, 36 Engineer Regiment as it transitioned to a Route Proving and Clearance role.
After serving as Regimental Sergeant Major at 22 Engineer Regiment WO1 Carney has since served as 3rd Division Command Sergeant Major, the Field Army Command Sergeant Major and as a student on the Intermediate Command and Staff Course . In July 2021 he was appointed the 3rd British Army Sergeant Major.
WO1 Carney is married to Kathryn with two children: Nicole and Ethan. He has a BA in Leadership and Management and is currently looking at options to study at masters level. His enjoys CrossFit, running, kayaking and adventure training.
Warrant Officer Class One Wiremu Moffitt
The Sergeant Major of Army is often referred to as the senior soldier in our Army. The Sergeant Major of Army is an advisor to the Chief of Army on matters affecting the training, management and welfare of our soldiers.
Warrant Officer Class One Wiremu Moffitt
Sergeant Major of the New Zealand Army Warrant Officer Class One Wiremu Moffitt enlisted into the New Zealand Army in 1990 as a Regular Force Cadet.
Upon graduation, he conducted an instructor tour at the Waiouru Training Depot before posting to 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment as a rifleman.
He completed tours with prominent dismounted and mounted infantry companies, additionally serving in Support Companys Signals and revered Reconnaissance platoons.
In 1994, WO1 Moffitt successfully passed New Zealand Special Air Service selection course, entering the 1st NZSAS Group as a special forces operator in September 1995.
Over a 20 year period, he conducted numerous Troop, Squadron and later, Regimental level appointments.
During this period he performed a wide range of operator roles in the counter-terrorism and special reconnaissance fields, after which he fulfilled a number of team-leader appointments in training, liaison and operational roles.
WO1 Moffitt graduated from the New Zealand Warrant Officer Promotion Course in 2007, and is alumni of the Joint Special Operations Forces Senior Enlisted Advisor program in Tampa, Florida, graduating on the Commanders List.
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Basic Allowance For Housing
Basic Allowance for Housing is a monthly payment meant to subsidize a servicemember’s housing while deployed. The amount of BAH received each month depends on the location in which they live.
The average Basic Housing Allowance for a Sergeant Major of the Army with dependants is $2,212.14, or $1,854.98 with no dependants.
How Do You Become A Sergeant Major Of The Army

Sergeant Major of the Army is a special / ceremonial rank, so promotions don’t occur in the same way as with a a traditional Army rank promotion.
The Chief of Staff of the Army and the Secretary of the Army, a civilian who answers directly to the Secretary of Defense, personally select the Sergeant Major of the Army from a pool of qualified Sergeants Major.
Sergeants Major who have held the position of Command Sergeants Major and served the required time in service and grade are eligible for nomination and selection.
The selection is done based on the merit of the soldiers eligible for job, as determined by the CSA and the Secretary of the Army.
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Green Beret Tapped As Next Sergeant Major Of The Army
Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Weimer, pictured, will replace outgoing Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston in August as the services next senior enlisted leader, Gen. James McConville, the Armys chief of staff, announced Friday, Dec. 9, 2022.
The Army has selected a Green Beret with a long history in special operations for the services next senior enlisted leader, Gen. James McConville, the Armys chief of staff, announced Friday.
Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Weimer will replace outgoing Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston in August, McConville wrote in a social media post. Grinston, the 16th sergeant major of the Army, is set to retire shortly after handing the reins to Weimer as the Armys top enlisted soldier and key adviser on all enlisted matters to the Army chief of staff and secretary.
We have the greatest in the world because we have the greatest , and Im proud to select Weimer to lead that corps as the 17th sergeant major of the Army, McConville wrote.
Weimer now serves as the senior enlisted leader for the Army Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, N.C. He took that job last year after serving in other top enlisted roles in the special operations field in recent years.
Before arriving at USASOC, Weimer served as the top enlisted leader for U.S. Special Operations Command Central based at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. Before that, he was the top enlisted leader for the Special Operations Joint Task Force Afghanistan, according to his Army biography.
Sergeant Major Of The Army Michael A Grinston
What is The Army NCO Strategy?
The Army NCO Strategy aims to develop and empower NCOs to leverage their knowledge, skills, and behaviors.
The Army NCO Strategy, coupled with This is My Squad , is based on the vision of what an NCO must BE, KNOW, and DO to compete and win in multi-domain environments. Under the pressure of constant change and rapid technological advances, the NCO Corps developed this enduring and flexible strategy to lead us into the future.
The Army NCO Strategy, nested in the guidance and vision of our leaders, reflects our Army values and NCO core competencies. The concept of the Army NCO Strategy will drive the NCO Guide, and the two will evolve in concert to ensure the NCO Corps remains current, relevant, and the best in the world.
What is This Is My Squad?
This is My Squad is a leadership philosophy that focuses on developing engaged leaders who build cohesive teams made of highly trained, disciplined, and fit Soldiers-for-Life.
All Leaders have a role to play: CSMs, Field and Company Grade Officers, 1SGs, and Platoon SGTs are all responsible for the coaching and mentorship of the junior leaders who serve as first-line supervisors for the majority of Soldiers.
Pillars of TiMS
Developing Soldiers-for-Life
NCOs must build and maintain trust throughout the entirety of a Soldiers career.
SMA Talks: This is My Squad
Army Soldiers Discuss “This Is My Squad”
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Meet The Next Sergeant Major Of The Army
Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville announced who the services next top noncommissioned officer Thursday afternoon during a professional forum in Alexandria, Virginia.
Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Weimer was selected to succeed Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston, who will depart the role in August 2023.
Weimer is currently the top NCO for Army Special Operations Command, a role he assumed in August 2021.
Army spokesperson Sgt. 1st Class Anthony Hewitt confirmed Weimers selection in a statement emailed to Army Times.
The Armys top NCOs typically influence soldier welfare and quality of life issues across the force, though each develops their own portfolio of initiatives to address during their term.
For Grinston, that meant major changes to uniform policy, the rollout of the Army Combat Fitness Test, fostering parenthood policy changes, standardization of expert badges and more.
Its not clear yet what Weimerspriorities will be in his next role.
Sergeant Major Of The Army List
Currently, only 16 people have held the position of command sergeant major of the Army, not including the soon-to-be incumbent Michael Weimer. Heres each of them:
On average, the SMA generally serves for roughly three to four years before retiring, though some outliers do exist.
The fourth SMA, Leon L. Van Autreve, only served for 1 year and 364 days . On the other side of the spectrum, the longest-serving command sergeant major of the Army was Kenneth O. Preston, who served for 7 years and 45 days.
Only one serving SMA has been an African American Soldier Gene C. McKinney, who served for two years and 105 days from 1995 to 1997.
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Who Is Command Sergeant Major Of The Army
As a title, the sergeant major of the Army is the top-ranking NCO position in the U.S. Army. Whoever holds the position is considered to be the most senior enlisted Soldier in the entire branch. The command sergeant major of the Army speaks on behalf of all enlisted Soldiers to officers in the Army, including those in the highest positions.
The SMA also holds the titles of senior enlisted advisor to the chairman and to the chief of staff of the Army.
Currently, the title of command sergeant major of the Army is held by Michael Grinston. Grinston was born in Alabama and enlisted in the Army in 1987. He served in many different regiments and battalions during his service tenure before ascending to the position of sergeant major of the Army.
Michael A. Grinston was sworn in as SMA in August of 2019, meaning he will have served a full four years in the position come his retirement in 2023.