WThe Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA) 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 member of the Army, unless an Army enlisted man 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 U.S. 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.
WWilliam G. Bainbridge was a United States Army soldier who served as the fifth Sergeant Major of the Army. He was sworn in on July 1, 1975 and served until June, 1979. He was the last World War II veteran to hold the position of Sergeant Major of the Army.
WRaymond F. Chandler III is a United States Army soldier who served as the 14th Sergeant Major of the Army. He was sworn in on March 1, 2011 and active on duty until January 30, 2015. Chandler served in all tank crewman positions and has had multiple tours as a troop, squadron and regimental master gunner. He has served in the 1st Infantry Division (FWD), 2nd Infantry Division, 4th Infantry Division, 1st Cavalry Division, 3rd Armored Division, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, United States Army Armor School, and the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy. He also served as first sergeant in four different detachments, troops and companies. As a sergeant major, he served as Operations SGM in 1/2 ACR and as CSM in 1/7 Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division, United States Army Garrison Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and the United States Army Armor School CSM. Chandler was assigned as the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy CSM in December 2007. In June 2009, Chandler became the 19th Commandant of USASMA and the first enlisted commandant in USASMA history.
WWilliam A. Connelly was a retired United States Army soldier who served as the sixth Sergeant Major of the Army. He was sworn in on July 2, 1979, and served until June 1983. He is best known for removing the specialist ranks of specialist 5 through specialist 7.
WSilas Lee Copeland was a United States Army soldier who served as the third Sergeant Major of the Army. He was sworn in on October 1, 1970 and served until June, 1973.
WDaniel A. Dailey is a United States Army soldier who served as the 15th Sergeant Major of the Army from January 30, 2015 to August 9, 2019. Prior to his tenure as the Sergeant Major of the Army, he served as the Command Sergeant Major for the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command.
WGeorge W. Dunaway was a United States Army soldier who served as the second Sergeant Major of the Army. He was sworn in on September 1, 1968, and served until his term ended in September 1970.
WJulius William Gates is a retired United States Army soldier who served as the eighth Sergeant Major of the Army. He was sworn in during July 1987 and served until his term ended four years later in June 1991.
WMichael A. Grinston is a soldier in the United States Army and the current Sergeant Major of the Army. Prior to his current position, he served as the senior enlisted leader for the United States Army Forces Command.
WRobert E. Hall is a retired United States Army soldier who served as the eleventh Sergeant Major of the Army from October 21, 1997 to June 23, 2000.
WRichard A. Kidd is a retired United States Army soldier who served as the ninth Sergeant Major of the Army. He was sworn in on July 2, 1991 and served until his term expired in June 1995.
WGene C. McKinney is a retired United States Army soldier who served as the 10th Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA), serving from July 1995 to October 1997. He was the first African American to reach that rank in the United States Army. In 1998, he was court-martialed on a variety of charges including sexual harassment and obstruction of justice. He was convicted of the obstruction of justice charge and demoted to the rank of Master Sergeant.
WGlen E. Morrell is a retired United States Army soldier who served as the seventh Sergeant Major of the Army. He was sworn in on July 1, 1983 and served until July 1987.
WKenneth O. Preston is a retired United States Army soldier who served as the Sergeant Major of the Army. He was sworn in as the 13th Sergeant Major of the Army on January 15, 2004. Preston held a variety of leadership positions throughout his career.
WJack L. Tilley is an American businessman and retired United States Army soldier. He served for almost 37 years in the United States Army, culminating in his appointment in 2000 as the 12th Sergeant Major of the Army, a post he held until his retirement on January 15, 2004. He was the last Vietnam War veteran to serve in that position.
WLeon L. Van Autreve was a United States Army soldier who served as the fourth Sergeant Major of the Army. He was sworn in on July 1, 1973 and served until June, 1975.
WWilliam O. Wooldridge was a United States Army soldier and the first Sergeant Major of the Army.