The Corps Regimental Sergeant Major
[Note that in the British Armed Forces, the plural is "sergeant majors" and not "sergeants major". The earliest usage of "sergeant majors" in '']The Times
''The Times'' is a British Newspaper#Daily, daily Newspaper#National, national newspaper based in London. It began in 1785 under the title ''The Daily Universal Register'', adopting its modern name on 1 January 1788. ''The Times'' and its si ...
'' is in 1822. The last of the (very occasional) usages of "sergeants major", except when referring to American NCOs, is in 1938. (Corps RSM) is the most senior
warrant officer
Warrant officer (WO) is a Military rank, rank or category of ranks in the armed forces of many countries. Depending on the country, service, or historical context, warrant officers are sometimes classified as the most junior of the commissioned ...
of the
Royal Marines
The Royal Marines provide the United Kingdom's amphibious warfare, amphibious special operations capable commando force, one of the :Fighting Arms of the Royal Navy, five fighting arms of the Royal Navy, a Company (military unit), company str ...
. Responsible for maintaining standards and discipline within the Royal Marines, they act as a parental figure to their subordinates and also to junior officers, even though the latter technically outrank the RSM.
Post creation
The post was created in 1989.
He is addressed as "Mr" by officers and "Sir" by all other ranks. Routinely known as "the Corps RSM"
"It has been decided to appoint a representative Regimental Sergeant Major, who will be responsible for centralised events involving Warrant Officers and Senior Non Commissioned Officers and upon who the Commandant General can call for advice should he so desire. The Warrant officers so appointed will be called the Corps Regimental Sergeant Major (Corps RSM)"
''Royal Marine Routine Orders, Monday 20th February 1989. (signed by Maj. Gen. H. Y. La R. Beverley)''
List of Royal Marines Corps Regimental Sergeant Majors
See also
*
Warrant Officer of the Royal Air Force – Royal Air Force equivalent
*
Warrant Officer of the Naval Service – Royal Navy equivalent
*
Army Sergeant Major
The Army Sergeant Major is the most senior member of the other ranks of the British Army.
Although all appointment holders have been former warrant officers who were commissioned as captains before their appointment, the Army Sergeant Major ...
– British Army equivalent
References
{{Senior Enlisted Advisor
Military appointments of the Royal Marines
Royal Navy appointments
Warrant officers