What exacly is the purpose of a CSM in a deployment aside from trying to bring a garrison atmosphere to the battlefield?

2015-10-18T09:57:48-04:00

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Oct 18 at 2015 9:59 AM

2015-10-18T09:59:49-04:00

The CSM is the one charged with keeping the morale of the troops up and advising the command structure as to the needs of the enlisted troops...

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Oct 18 at 2015 10:24 AM

2015-10-18T10:24:41-04:00

Ah the ongoing debate!

I would hesitate to say "garrison" atmosphere Chief, but I think I know where your going with it. Yes I have encountered in my travels some CSMs that are sticklers for seemingly garrison like issues in a combat area. That being said it, all relates back to insuring good order and discipline. Back in the day insuring your boots were shined in the field seemed ridiculous but it kept the mind set of adhering to standards that hopefully followed through to keeping yourself and your weapon clean and your personal gear in working order. As SSgt Alex Robinson relates, the CSM has to also know the pulse of the troops and insure the CO knows where and how far to push his command - mission first, people always.

My first assignment was with 1/506 INF in Korea back in 1991-1992. CSM Charles Fitzpatrick - handle "Road Runner" - was probably the best CSM I've seen in action. He was a hard charger who motivated (and out ran, hence his handle) soldiers and officers alike. He was an aggressive, old school Infantry NCO who had the BCs ear and insured troops were always the top consideration. He was a stickler for details who on more than one occasion would bust my hump over things like sleeping in the back of my HMMWV instead of the ground (I'm SC, sue me for wanting creature comforts!) or insuring that my section NCO was TCB with troop issues but his head and heart were in the right place and I respected and admired him for that.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2015 1:28 PM

2015-10-18T13:28:44-04:00

In my view, the CSM should be the conscience of the commander. Advising him or her on doing the right thing, and doing things the right way. He looks out for the welfare of the Soldiers, and weighs that with decisions on how they are employed.
He should identify and address issues arising in the formation and keep everyone on the rails.
He should enforce standards, yes. You are Soldiers, even in the field.
If the situation allows for it, he should run a continuing professional development program nested with ongoing operations.
If elements of the units are scattered around the AO, he should make it a point to circulate as regularly as is feasible without distracting the hosting units.
Most importantly, he has to epitomize the example, and live it every day. No one can question what the standard is, when it is standing right in front of you.

Response by LTC Trent Klug made Oct 18 at 2015 1:59 PM

2015-10-18T13:59:43-04:00

And the Chief goes there!

Here I thought the CSM 's job in country was to keep the reflective belt gods satisfied. (Just kidding)

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2015 3:15 PM

2015-10-18T15:15:34-04:00

Actually a question I've thought about many times. I believe it depends on the quality of the CSM. I honestly believe that there are more CSM slots than there are CSM quality troops.
That being said, I'll relate a couple experiences I had in country. A sergeant in my company was recommended for art 15 by his platoon sergeant (in my opinion extremely unfair and ridiculous.) CSM calls him into his office, asks the sergeant for his side of the story. CSM holds the paperwork over the garbage can and rips it into pieces.
The day I was pinned to SGT, my first sergeant invited me to eat chow with him, the company commander and the same CSM. CSM asks me how long I'd it had taken me to make SGT. I told him. He replied that I hadn't been in long enough for the responsibility, and that I'd better learn fast. He talked about leadership for a while, then talked about what was wrong with the Army and NG, and the kind of leaders needed. He was able to tell me that I wasn't ready to be a sergeant without belittling me, and while giving me advice on how to do the job well.
Just a couple reasons why we have CSMs in country.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2015 3:30 PM

2015-10-18T15:30:30-04:00

Making sure that we all have our PT belts on.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2015 3:31 PM

2015-10-18T15:31:12-04:00

PT belts save lives.

Response by CSM William Payne made Oct 18 at 2015 4:14 PM

2015-10-18T16:14:35-04:00

When I was deployed to Iraq in 2006 - 2007 to Iraq I was the Senior NCO in charge of training the Iraqi Army as the Sergeant Major of the Coalition Military Assistance Training Team or CMATT. We served under then LTG Martin Dempsey at the Multi National Security Transition Command - Iraq (MNSTC-I).

My Soldiers were in FOBs located all over Iraq doing the equivalent of basic training, MOS training and Officer Candidate Training for the Iraqi Army, Navy and Marines. The Air Force had their own group, the Coalition Air Force Training Team or CAFTT under MNSTC-I. Half of my Soldiers in the field with the Iraqi Army as MiTT team advisors under the Iraqi Assistance Group.

My job was to help create policy and procedures for Iraqi enlisted training, qualification, promotions, pay, DFACs, equipment and housing. I assisted in setting up schools for Soldier training, spent almost a third of my time in country either traveling with my boss, then BG Wolff to visit our Soldiers, our Iraqi counterparts and trying to sell the Iraqis on the use and need for a trained, strong NCO Corps, traveling with the MNSTC-I Command Chaplin checking on the morale and welfare of our troops, or stand alone to to inspect all of the above. I was also responsible for ensuring that our Personal Security Detail or PSD were briefed, equipped and prepared for whatever travel requirements we may have for the day.

I also participated in briefs to everyone from congressional delegations, the Secretary of the Army, the Army Vice Chief of Staff, the Chief of the Army Reserves and most importantly incoming command teams on the current conditions in country at the Counter Insurgency Academy Iraq (COIN) in Taji.

I also served on the Green Zone Senior Enlisted Advisory Board to help address issues affecting coalition military personnel that worked inside the zone and visiting the hospital inside the green zone to meet with wounded and injured military personnel. I also performed visits to the schools inside the the Green Zone for the children of the Iraqi personnel supporting our mission, bringing them school supplies and toys sent from children in schools in the states.

I wrote recommendations for awards, did NCOERs and dealt with morale, performance and discipline issues within the command.

I did interviews for the Armed Forces Network for TV and radio stations located in our home market back home trying to explain what our Soldiers were doing in Iraq, how the mission was going, how our Soldiers were holding up in performing their duties.

On Wednesdays during our morning op meetings I would give a history brief either on a particular region or a period of Iraq history or that of one of the nations that were part of our multi-national coalition force.

This was by no means an all inclusive list of my duties but generally anything that my commander needed for me to do to assist him in being successful in completing his mission as by defined by his senior commander. A other words, CSM's job.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Oct 18 at 2015 7:41 PM

2015-10-18T19:41:32-04:00

Lobbyist for PT belt special interest groups....

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Oct 18 at 2015 8:47 PM

2015-10-18T20:47:33-04:00

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member The CSM acts as the commander's eyes and ears throughout the unit; filters and feeds appropriate info to the CDR.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2015 9:13 AM

2015-10-19T09:13:58-04:00

Here is my perspective Chief. No CSM should try to employ garrison bullshit in the field. Yes we keep the standards but there is a necessity to understand the environment in which the soldiers are deployed. I once had a CSM fly over to Kosovo for a long weekend, checked our office out and then berated me about my moustache being out of regulation. My reply to him was that just because he came over for the weekend to get his tax free money for the month didn't give him the right to not understand the living conditions in which we were operating. A real CSM will be an enlisted advisor to the Commander. When the 1SGs' come to him with enlisted issues, he will try to correct them before they become larger issues. He will ensure that the soldiers are provided with what they need to accomplish the mission if the 1SGs' are having issues. He will ensure he understands the missions to the Companies so he can understand what the soldiers are going through. A real CSM needs to be seen so that his soldiers understand that he cares about them and is willing to get his hands dirty as well. When I was in Iraq I was appalled to find out that some CSMs' were more than happy to sit back and be content with just doing health and welfare inspections for the wrong reasons.

Response by CSM Victor Angry made Oct 25 at 2015 4:39 PM

2015-10-25T16:39:46-04:00

Sir, you even asking this question, makes me question not only the Enlisted leaders in the Army but leadership in general. Posting a question such as this is exactly like posting a question of why Generals are on the battlefield. If your reason for posting this deals with poor performance of CSMs in the field, then take it behind closed doors and fix it.
It appears to me that even with this evolution of social media, Soldiers have quickly forgotten what right looks like. My job as a CSM in any situation was to show you what that is.
Follow me, I'll lead the way!

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2015 5:29 PM

2015-11-01T17:29:08-05:00

For those who put things like "PT belt guy" or anything like that, you might need to re-evaluate your own military career and why your are still in. The CSM has the same duty deployed as not deployed. He/She is charged with the good order and discipline of the unit, being the senior enlisted advisor to the CDR on all things related to enlisted matters, and to coach/teach/mentor junior and senior officers and NCOs, at all levels. This question is a little offensive and just promotes unprofessional responses and an avenue for those to comment on something the truly need educated on.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2015 4:27 PM

2015-11-30T16:27:54-05:00

Hahah well my first deployment the CSM saved my friends asses from getting article 15s from the uptight battalion commander. (He thought their shenanigans were funny).