Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps

E14176

The Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps is the highest-ranking enlisted Marine who serves as the principal enlisted advisor to the Commandant of the Marine Corps on all matters affecting enlisted personnel.


Statements (48)
Predicate Object
instanceOf United States Marine Corps position
military appointment
senior enlisted rank
abbreviation SMMC
advises Commandant of the Marine Corps
appointedBy Commandant of the Marine Corps
associatedWith United States Department of the Navy
country United States
eligibleRank master gunnery sergeant
sergeant major
firstHolder Sergeant Major Wilbur Bestwick
formationDate 1957
hasRankCategory non-commissioned officer
hasRankInsignia three chevrons above crossed rifles above four rockers
hasStatus senior enlisted advisor to a service chief
hasTitle Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps
insigniaIncludes eagle globe and anchor device
isDistinctFrom master gunnery sergeant (E-9 rank without service-wide billet)
sergeant major (unit-level billet)
locatedIn Arlington County, Virginia
memberOf Headquarters Marine Corps
officeCreatedBy United States Marine Corps
officeType non-commissioned officer position
partOf United States military senior enlisted leadership
payGrade E-9
precedenceOver all other enlisted Marines
rankClass enlisted
rankEquivalent Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force
Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
Sergeant Major of the Army
rankGroup senior enlisted
reportsTo Commandant of the Marine Corps
responsibleFor matters affecting enlisted personnel
role highest-ranking enlisted Marine
principal enlisted advisor to the Commandant of the Marine Corps
scopeOfAuthority entire enlisted Marine Corps
seatOfOffice The Pentagon
selectionProcess selected from among qualified E-9 Marines
serviceBranch United States Marine Corps
style Sergeant Major
symbolizes enlisted force leadership in the United States Marine Corps
termLength typically 4 years
uniformAuthority may wear distinctive service uniform accoutrements
worksOn enlisted discipline and standards
enlisted professional development
enlisted quality of life issues


Please wait…