View source for Chief master sergeant

{{short description|Military rank for a senior non-commissioned officer in the armed forces of some countries}}
[[File:Servicewomen, future Marine Barracks sergeant major honored 130522-M-VF198-011.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.25|A command chief master sergeant in the [[United States Air Force]], left, speaking with a [[Sergeant major (United States)|sergeant major]] in the [[United States Marine Corps]]]]
A '''chief master sergeant''' is the [[military rank]] for a senior [[non-commissioned officer]] in the armed forces of some countries.

== Philippines ==
===Philippine armed forces===
{{see also|Military ranks of the Philippines}}
{{Infobox military rank
| name           = Chief master sergeant
| native_name    = 
| image          = {{nobreak|[[File:PHIL_ARMY_CMSG_WOODLAND.svg|50px]] [[File:PAF_CMSG_FD.svg|50px]] [[File:PMC CMSG Slv.svg|50px]]}}
| image_size     = 
| alt            =
| caption        = Army, air force and marine insignia
| image2         = 
| image_size2    = 
| alt2           =
| caption2       = 
| image3         = 
| image_size3    = 
| alt3           =
| caption3       = 
| country        = {{flag|Philippines}}
| service branch = {{ubl|{{army|Philippines}}|{{air force|Philippines}}|{{marines|Philippines}}}}
| abbreviation   = 
| rank group     = Senior [[non-commissioned officer]]
| rank           = 
| NATO rank      = 
| Non-NATO rank  = 
| pay grade      = 
| formation      = 
| abolished      = 
| higher rank    = 
| lower rank     = [[Senior master sergeant#Philippines|Senior master sergeant]]
| equivalents    = [[Master chief petty officer]]
| history        = 
}}
Since 2004, as part of the ongoing modernization of the [[Armed Forces of the Philippines]], chief master sergeant has been the highest attainable rank for enlisted personnel of the [[Philippine Army]], the [[Philippine Air Force]], and the [[Philippine Marine Corps]] (a component of the [[Philippine Navy]]).<ref name="Philippines_Army">{{cite web |title=Ranks and insignia |url=http://www.army.mil.ph/About_the_army/army/history/Ranks_and_Insignias.html |website=army.mil.ph |publisher=Philippine Army |access-date=20 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100428163644/http://www.army.mil.ph/About_the_army/army/history/Ranks_and_Insignias.html |archive-date=28 April 2010}}</ref><ref name="Philippines_AirForce">{{cite web |title=Ranks |url=https://www.paf.mil.ph/ranks |website=paf.mil.ph |publisher=Philippine Air Force |access-date=27 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018022326/https://www.paf.mil.ph/ranks |archive-date=18 October 2020}}</ref><ref name="Philippine-Navy">{{cite web |title=Philippine Navy Ranks |url=https://navy.mil.ph/ranks.php |website=Philippine Navy |access-date=1 September 2024}}</ref>

Above the rank is that of [[first chief master sergeant]], also created in 2004 and bestowed on the most veteran [[non-commissioned officer]] who has served in the aforementioned service branches.

The rank of chief master sergeant stands above that of [[senior master sergeant]]. The equivalent naval rating is that of [[master chief petty officer]].

===Philippine National Police===
As of February 8, 2019, a new ranking classification for the [[Philippine National Police]] was adopted, eliminating confusion among previous ranks.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cervantes |first1=Filane Mikee |title=New PNP rank classification removes confusion in calling cops | url=http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1062633 | access-date=12 March 2019 |work=Republic of the Philippines News Agency |date=21 February 2019}}
</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Republic Act No. 11200 |url=https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2019/02/08/republic-act-no-11200/ |website=Official Gazette |access-date=21 February 2019 |date=21 February 2019 |archive-date=21 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221165541/https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2019/02/08/republic-act-no-11200/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The enabling law for the ranking is Republic Act 11200 which was signed by President [[Rodrigo Duterte]], amending the section of the Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990 that refers to the ranking classification of the Philippine National Police.<ref name=rappler>{{cite web|url=http://www.rappler.com//nation/224049-new-law-gives-police-military-rank-names|title=From SPO1 to sergeant: New law gives military rank names to police|first=Pia|last=Ranada|website=Rappler|access-date=23 February 2019}}</ref>

The rank stands above that of police [[senior master sergeant]] and below police executive master sergeant.

<gallery>
File:Philippines-Police-E-6.png|{{center|Police Chief master sergeant<br />(P/CMSg) insignia,<br />Philippine National Police}}
</gallery>

== United States ==
{{Infobox military rank
| name           = Chief Master Sergeant
| native_name    = 
| image          = {{nowrap|[[File:E9a USAF CMSGT.svg|50px|E-9 insignia]] [[File:USSF CMSgt Flat.svg|50px|E-9 insignia]]}}
| image_size     = 
| alt            =
| caption        = Air Force and Space Force insignia
| image2         = 
| image_size2    = 
| alt2           =
| caption2       = 
| image3         = 
| image_size3    = 
| alt3           =
| caption3       = 
| country        = {{Flag|United States}}
| service branch = {{air force|United States|name=U.S. Air Force}}<br />{{space force|United States|name=U.S. Space Force}}
| abbreviation   = CMSgt
| rank group     = [[Non-commissioned officer]]
| rank           = 
| NATO rank      = OR-9
| Non-NATO rank  = 
| pay grade      = [[Uniformed services pay grades of the United States|E-9]]
| formation      = 1958
| abolished      = 
| higher rank    = 
| lower rank     = [[Senior master sergeant#United States|Senior master sergeant]]
| equivalents    = 
| history        = 
}}

Chief master sergeant (abbreviated as '''CMSgt''') is the ninth, and highest, [[United States Air Force enlisted rank insignia|enlisted rank]] in the [[United States Air Force]] and the [[United States Space Force]], just above [[senior master sergeant]], and is a senior non-commissioned officer rank. A chief master sergeant sometimes is referred to as a "chief."

Attaining the rank of chief master sergeant is the pinnacle of an Air Force or Space Force enlisted person's career. Some chief master sergeants manage the efforts of all enlisted personnel within their unit or major subsection while others run major staff functions at higher headquarters levels. All chief master sergeants are expected to serve as mentors for non-commissioned officers and junior enlisted members, and to serve as advisers to unit commanders and senior officers.

By federal law, no more than 1.25% of the Air Force enlisted force may hold the rank of chief master sergeant.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/517 |title=10 U.S.C. § 517 |publisher=law.cornell.edu |access-date=2013-07-05}}</ref>

=== Special duty positions ===
[[File:E9b USAF 1STSGT3.svg|thumb|upright|Chief master sergeant serving as [[first sergeant]].]]

==== First sergeant ====
The E-9 pay grade of [[first sergeant]] is a special duty rank held by a senior enlisted member of a military unit who reports directly to the [[Commanding officer|unit commander]] or deputy commander of operations. This positional billet is held by a chief master sergeant and is denoted on the rank insignia by a [[Lozenge (shape)|lozenge]] (known colloquially as a "diamond").<ref name="first sergeant">{{Cite web |last=Barnett |first=Robert |date=12 December 2012 |title=Air Force first sergeants work to help Airmen |url=https://www.jber.jb.mil/News/News-Articles/Article/290557/air-force-first-sergeants-work-to-help-airmen/ |access-date=11 September 2020 |website=Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson |publisher=Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Public Affairs}}</ref> Often referred to as the "first shirt", or "shirt", the first sergeant is responsible for the morale, welfare, and conduct of all the enlisted members in a [[Squadron (aviation)|squadron]] and is the chief adviser to the squadron commander concerning the enlisted force.<ref name="first sergeant" /> While neither the Air Force or Space Force has a permanent [[First Sergeant#United States Air Force|first sergeant]] rank, those who hold these positional billets are senior to their non-diamond counterparts.<ref name="first sergeant" />

==== Group senior enlisted leaders ====
In the Air Force, [[Group (military unit)|group]] senior enlisted leaders (SEL), formerly known as a group superintendent, fall under special reporting identifier coding with a 9G100{{clarification needed|date=October 2022}} Air Force specialty code. Group superintendents provide leadership, management, and guidance in organizing, equipping, training, and mobilizing groups to meet home station and expeditionary mission requirements. Group superintendents work closely with their group commanders and command chief master sergeants to prepare the enlisted force to best execute mission requirements. They manage and direct resource activities as well as interpret and enforce policies and applicable directives. They also establish control procedures to meet mission goals and standards. Additionally, they recommend or initiate actions to improve organizational effectiveness and efficiency as well as ensure that the management of personnel and resources are consistent with current practices and procedures in support of a [[Wing (military unit)|wing]]'s mission. They resolve issues between subordinate squadrons, other groups, wing staff, and outside agencies, and they perform other duties as directed by their group commanders.<ref>Air Force Instruction 36-2618, The Enlisted Force Structure</ref>

==== Squadron senior enlisted leader ====
The duty position of squadron senior enlisted leader is the senior enlisted advisor to a unit commander and provides the parent organization(s) with subject matter expertise on the unit's capabilities.

==== Wing Weapons Manager ====
In the Air Force, the Wing Weapons Manager (WWM) is a wing's focal point for all weapons loading and armament systems-related matters and serves as the functional manager for all assigned 2W1X1's.{{clarify|date=October 2022}} The WWM's primary efforts focus on compliance, continuity, and standardization. The WWM is a (Chief Enlisted Manager code 2W100){{clarification needed|date=October 2022}} command master sergeant assigned directly to the MXG/CC.{{clarification needed|date=October 2022}} Weapons activities required to support the generation of peacetime training [[sortie]]s generally do not reinforce primary combat skills. Therefore, the WWM plays a key role in ensuring that the unit is able to produce combat-loaded aircraft. The WWM is charged with providing technical and managerial advice to senior leaders in matters of weapons loading and armament systems. The WWM coordinates with the Aircraft Maintenance Squadrons, Weapons Sections, Armament Flight, Wing Safety, Wing Weapons and Tactics Officer, Munitions Squadron/Flight, and other unit agencies on weapons-related matters. The WWM is a certifying official and evaluator for weapons-loading task certifications and qualifications.

=== Senior enlisted advisors ===
[[File:E9c_USAF_CCMS.svg|thumb|upright|Command chief master sergeant]]

==== Command Chief Master Sergeant ====
The position of '''command chief master sergeant''' ('''CCM''') is unique, as it is considered a rank and billet. Formerly, the billets were called '''senior enlisted advisors''' and were held by a chief master sergeant. These billets were turned into the permanent rank of command chief master sergeants in November 1998. Command chief master sergeants serve as the senior enlisted advisors to commanders at key levels of command; these include wings, [[numbered air force]]s, [[List of United States Air Force Field Operating Agencies|field operating agencies]], and [[List of major commands of the United States Air Force|major command]]s. In a [[joint command]], when an Air Force Chief fills a [[United States Department of Defense]]-nominated Command senior enlisted advisor position (see note), that individual is also designated as a "command chief." Command chiefs advise their unit commanders on all enlisted matters, including all issues affecting the command's mission and operations, and the readiness, training, utilization, morale, technical, professional development, and quality of life of all enlisted members in the organization. Command chiefs hold a reporting identifier of 9E000.{{clarification needed|date=October 2022}} CCMs provide leadership to the enlisted force and are the functional managers for group superintendents and first sergeants in their organizations.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a1/publication/afh36-2618/afh36-2618.pdf |title=THE ENLISTED FORCE STRUCTURE |website=af.mil |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524121215/https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a1/publication/afh36-2618/afh36-2618.pdf |archive-date=24 May 2022 |date=5 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.citamn.afrc.af.mil/Features/Article/195420/the-commands-senior-enlisted-advisors-and-command-chief-master-sergeants/ |title=The command's senior enlisted advisors and command chief master sergeants |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306232631/https://www.citamn.afrc.af.mil/Features/Article/195420/the-commands-senior-enlisted-advisors-and-command-chief-master-sergeants/ |archive-date=6 March 2021 |date=17 September 2008}}</ref>

=== Historical notes ===
[[File:E9 USAF CMSgt 1967-1991.svg|thumb|upright|Chief master sergeant insignia (1958–1994)]]

Although the Air Force had been an independent service since 1947, the rank of chief master sergeant did not come into being until the authorization of the [[Military Pay Act of 1958]]. This act established the [[Uniformed services pay grades of the United States|pay grades]] of E-8 and E-9 in the [[United States armed forces]], but without specifying titles for those pay grades. It was not until late 1958 that the title "chief master sergeant" and the accompanying rank insignia were adopted.

The original chief master sergeant rank insignia, used from 1958 to 1994, consisted of two chevrons on top, three stripes in the middle, and three rockers on the bottom.

Until his retirement in 2003, Chief Master Sergeant [[Norman Marous]] was the Air Force's most senior chief master sergeant, having served in the Air Force since 1962. Marous left active duty in 1967 to spend 22 years in the [[United States Air Force Reserve]] and [[National Guard of the United States|National Guard]] before returning to active duty as a chief master sergeant in 1989. He retired in 2003 with 41½ years of service.  He is the only person authorized to wear two [[longevity ribbon]]s, due to the space required for the number of multiple award devices authorized.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=The Long and Winding Road |magazine=Airman Magazine |date=July 2003 |first=Scott |last=Wagers}} Indelible impressions, Airman's Notebook</ref>

=== Civil Air Patrol ===
<div style="float: right; text-align: center; font-size: 80%; margin-left: 4em; margin-bottom: 2em; margin-right: 1em">

[[Image:CAP-OR-9.svg|85px|Civil Air Patrol chief master sergeant insignia]]

Civil Air Patrol<br/ >chief master sergeant<br />insignia

</div>
The [[Civil Air Patrol]] (CAP), a [[non-profit corporation]] [[Congressional charter|Congressionally chartered]] to operate as the [[Auxiliaries|civilian auxiliary]] of the U.S. Air Force, has a quasi-military structure which includes the rank of chief master sergeant. It is the most senior CAP enlisted rank. Former military enlisted personnel who held the rank of chief master sergeant may retain that rank as members of the CAP.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/media/cms/ICL_1806_R201_4_Sep_18_865613378A514.pdf |title=Memorandum for all CAP Members |author=Office of the National Commander – Civil Air Patrol |date=4 September 2018 |access-date=26 September 2021 |website=gocivilairpatrol.com}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Sergeant]]
* [[United States military pay]]
* [[Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force]]
* [[Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force]]

==Sources==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20180712201821/http://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a1/publication/afh36-2618/afh36-2618.pdf Air Force Instruction 36-2618, The Enlisted Force Structure] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20190509041316/https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a1/publication/afh36-2618/afh36-2618.pdf archive] )
* Technical Sergeant Spink, Barry L.  "A Chronology of the Enlisted Rank Chevron of the United States Air Force, 19 February 1992." [https://web.archive.org/web/20090731113138/http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/chevron_history/chevrons.pdf Air Force Historical Research Agency].

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{US enlisted ranks}}

[[Category:Enlisted ranks of the United States Air Force]]
[[Category:Enlisted ranks of the United States Space Force]]
[[Category:United States military enlisted ranks]]
[[Category:Military ranks of the Philippines]]