sergeant-major
Top enlisted rank
A sergeant-major is the highest-ranking noncommissioned officer in a military unit, typically responsible for discipline and administration among enlisted personnel.
The rank exists in most armies, though exact duties vary by country.
In the British system, a regimental sergeant-major is the senior enlisted soldier of a regiment: The sergeant-major's voice could be heard across the parade ground.
Small infantry formation
- battalionMid-sized military unit
- regimentColonel-led military unit
- brigadeLarge military unit
- infantryGround combat troops
army · drill · parade · barracks · garrison · deployment · formation · cadence
Lacking official officer appointment
- NCOEnlisted military leader
- chevronsV-shaped rank markings
- stripesParallel linear markings
- promotionRank increase or publicity
advancement · seniority · warrant · enlisted · regimental · insignia · grade
Trained self-control or specialty
- enforcerOne who ensures compliance
- sternStrict or ship's aft
- demandingRequiring great effort
- ordersInstructions to obey
supervision · subordinates · respect · accountability · standards · rectitude · commanding · leadership
Small vibrant reef-dwelling species
- tropicalOf hot, humid regions
- coral-reefSubmarine calcium carbonate ecosystem
- Indo-PacificCombined ocean region
- CaribbeanTropical Atlantic region
striped · banded · territorial · aquarium · snorkeling · diving · Atlantic
Aid or maintenance
- experiencePractical knowledge from life
- careerLifelong occupational pursuit
- decoratedMade more visually appealing
- medalsAwards for achievement
commendation · combat · warfare · campaigns · valor · retirement · pensioner · lifer
platoon
Small infantry formation
infantry · army · drill · parade · barracks · garrison · deployment · formation · cadence · inspection
noncommissioned
Lacking official officer appointment
promotion · advancement · seniority · warrant · enlisted · regimental · insignia · grade
discipline
Trained self-control or specialty
orders · supervision · subordinates · respect · accountability · standards · rectitude · commanding · leadership · taskmaster
damselfish
Small vibrant reef-dwelling species
- tropicalOf hot, humid regions
- coral-reefSubmarine calcium carbonate ecosystem
- Indo-PacificCombined ocean region
Caribbean · striped · banded · territorial · aquarium · snorkeling · diving · Atlantic
service
Aid or maintenance
- experiencePractical knowledge from life
- careerLifelong occupational pursuit
- decoratedMade more visually appealing
medals · commendation · combat · warfare · campaigns · valor · retirement · pensioner · lifer · tours
sergeant-majorprivate
Restricted to certain parties
recruit · raw recruit · buck private · general · officer