Posted on Aug 4, 2014
Should Sergeants Major pay grades be commensurate with their positions like Generals?
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General officer ranks are appointments with stars based on their levels of position. We had an O6 go straight to O8 because of the position. To me it makes no sense that this is not the same with our Sergeants Majors. I mean it blows my mind to think that a Battalion S3 SGM is the same pay grade as the Advisor to the Joint Chief of Staff. It seems severely unbalanced. I think the ranks should be much like Generals, i.e. Brigade CSM.
Posted in these groups: 
Military Pay
Military Pay
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 28
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Absolutely. I also think that there should be an E10-E14 rank structure. All CSM's know and respect their "superiors," but damn...this could be a lot easier. Is there any other rank that has this problem? Maybe Corporal. The CSM branch in the Army is changing the way they do business now with the CSL and assignment processes. I think it's time to up the ante and make nominative jobs commensurate with their rank and pay. One problem with this is the possible back and forth from OPS SGM jobs to CSM jobs. Would you go from being an E-10 to an E-9 because you went from a BDE CSM job to a Corps S3 SGM job? That would suck. Don't know how to crack that egg, but I bet someone could figure it out.
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1SG (Join to see)
Do GO's ever go "backwards" in there job assignments? Why should E-9's. Something I've always pondered!
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LTC Paul Labrador
Most GO's go forward (or lateral) or they retire if it doesn't look like they are going to get that next star. I agree that E-9s shouldn't go backwards either. But part of the "problem" is that there are more of them than there are GOs and if they don't retire, they have to go somewhere, and if according to big Army that an E-9 is an E-9, then yes, you will see "backward" movement.
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LCDR (Join to see)
I've only seen a Master Chief go backwards once - that was a Fleet Master Chief doing a twilight tour in Charleston.
While there may be no pay associated with it, there's plenty of room for lateral promotions within the rank structure. You can create the ranks but have them occupy the same paygrade. Granted, this probably wouldn't work for the Army, since y'all don't even like giving your E-9 another stripe.
While there may be no pay associated with it, there's plenty of room for lateral promotions within the rank structure. You can create the ranks but have them occupy the same paygrade. Granted, this probably wouldn't work for the Army, since y'all don't even like giving your E-9 another stripe.
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SSG Kevin McCulley
The first Sergeant Major of the Army, William Woolridge, after completing his tour in DC went back to Vietnam to be the MAC-V Sergeant Major.
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As a Command Master Chief who did tours at 4 different Commands (two ships) and even put in for Force Master Chief once at the urging of both my CO and the retiring FMC I would tend to feel that we are all Master Chiefs and should get the same pay. Yes, it would have been nice to get some special allowances for my uniforms and even for some of the entertaining I felt obligated to do at times, but there was no real need for it.
Would I have turned down any extra pay, no. Would more pay have made me try harder for these positions, heck no. I applied for the job because I loved working with people and representing them, not for the money or the power. I cannot imagine a successful CMC/CSM doing the ob for more pay. If he or she does, find someone else fast!
Would I have turned down any extra pay, no. Would more pay have made me try harder for these positions, heck no. I applied for the job because I loved working with people and representing them, not for the money or the power. I cannot imagine a successful CMC/CSM doing the ob for more pay. If he or she does, find someone else fast!
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CPO (Join to see)
I understand your position Master Chief, but I would think a man (or woman) is worthy of their hire. Where as I doubt I will ever be in that position, I think paying those in that position is worth it.
Besides, congress makes plenty. Take it out of their pay checks.
Besides, congress makes plenty. Take it out of their pay checks.
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CMDCM Gene Treants
Do you really think any Congressman (or Senator) would give up 2 cents of pay for any reason? Although I fully agree with paying people in those positions. Armed Forces I mean.
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CPO (Join to see)
Of course they would give up 2 cents of pay for any reason. as long as it's our pay and not theirs.
In fact. with AFRH, they'll take .50 without approval!
In fact. with AFRH, they'll take .50 without approval!
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Honestly, I would like to see an E-10 grade. Keep E-9 for BN and BDE level positions (tactical), but E-10 for Div and higher (strategic). Those SGMs and CSMs working at the strategic levels really do a have a quantum leap in responsibilty and oversight over fellow CSMs at the more tactical levels.
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CPT (Join to see)
I had no idea just how true this was until I did some time working with IMCOM staff at garrison levels.
The responsibility is immeasurable greater at the division or corps levels. Running a battalion is no mean feat, but running an entire division or corps under a general is astounding.
One of the best ways to compare the pay scales is the civilian equivalent.
A general may leave the army and be able to make the same or an increase.
A CSM at a division level would be able to compete for a MUCH higher salary in the civilian world than e-9 pay based on experience.
I understand what CMDCM Gene Treants is saying about wanting the man who wants to do the job FOR the job and not for pay, as the prestige and the work should be rewarding enough, but there should be a clear difference in compensation commensurate with the position.
The responsibility is immeasurable greater at the division or corps levels. Running a battalion is no mean feat, but running an entire division or corps under a general is astounding.
One of the best ways to compare the pay scales is the civilian equivalent.
A general may leave the army and be able to make the same or an increase.
A CSM at a division level would be able to compete for a MUCH higher salary in the civilian world than e-9 pay based on experience.
I understand what CMDCM Gene Treants is saying about wanting the man who wants to do the job FOR the job and not for pay, as the prestige and the work should be rewarding enough, but there should be a clear difference in compensation commensurate with the position.
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