Warrant officer (WO) is a 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 officer ranks, the most senior of the non-commissioned officer (NCO) ranks, or in a separate category of their own. Warrant officer ranks are especially prominent in the militaries of Commonwealth nations and the United States.
Regimental sergeant major (RSM) is an appointment that may be held by a warrant officer (WO) in the British Army, the Royal Marines, and the armies of many other Commonwealth and former Commonwealth nations. It is also an actual rank in the Irish Defence Forces, and formerly in the British Army, Royal Marines and United States Army. Only one warrant officer holds the appointment of RSM in any regiment or battalion, making them the senior warrant officer; in a unit with more than one top-ranked WO, the RSM is considered to be first amongst equals". The RSM is primarily responsible for assisting their commander in maintaining standards and discipline amongst the non-commissioned members and acts as a parental figure to their subordinates, sometimes referred to by the mantra "Drill, Dress and Discipline".
A non-commissioned officer (NCO) is a military officer who does not hold a commission. Non-commissioned officers usually earn their position of authority by promotion through the enlisted ranks. In contrast, commissioned officers usually enter directly from a military academy, officer training corps (OTC) or reserve officer training corps (ROTC), or officer candidate school (OCS) or officer training school (OTS), after receiving a post-secondary degree.
Sergeant major is a senior non-commissioned rank or appointment in many militaries around the world.
The company sergeant major (CSM) is the senior non-commissioned soldier of a company in the armies of many Commonwealth countries, responsible for administration, standards and discipline. In combat, their prime responsibility is the supply of ammunition to the company. They also oversee the distribution of other supplies, such as water or food, although that responsibility is mainly that of the company quartermaster sergeant (CQMS), and evacuating the wounded and collecting prisoners of war.
Major General Sir Evelyn John Webb-Carter, is a retired senior British Army officer. He was the last 'Colonel of the Regiment' of the Duke of Wellington's Regiment (1999–2006), before their amalgamation into the Yorkshire Regiment, 3rd Battalion.
General Sir David William Fraser, was a senior British Army officer who served as Commandant of the Royal College of Defence Studies from 1978 until his retirement from military service in 1980. He was also a prolific author, publishing over 20 books mostly focused on the history of the Second World War.
A senior enlisted advisor (SEA) in the United States Armed Forces is the most senior enlisted service member in a unit, and acts as an advisor to the commanding officer. Formally, E-9 billets for the senior enlisted advisor are established at service unit, command, major command, force, or fleet levels to the SEAs/CSELs of DoD Agencies and the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. SEAs are also known as command senior enlisted leaders (CSEL). Always a non-commissioned officer, the SEA is the main link between the commanding officer and the enlisted service members under his or her charge.
A warrant officer (WO) in the British Armed Forces is a member of the highest-ranking group of non-commissioned ranks, holding the King's Warrant, which is signed by the Secretary of State for Defence.
Lieutenant General Sir George Pemberton Ross Norton, is a retired British Army officer. He was the UK Military Representative to NATO from 2016 to 2020, and has served as the Commandant of the Royal College of Defence Studies since 2020.
Major General David Mark Cullen, is a senior British Army officer. He served as the Assistant Chief of the General Staff from 2013 to 2015.
Garrison Sergeant Major William Daran Gillduff Mott, is a former British Army soldier who was one of the army's most senior warrant officers between 2002 and 2015.
The Army Sergeant Major is the most senior member of the other ranks of the British Army.
The Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chiefs of Staff Committee (SEAC) is the most senior member of the other ranks of the British Armed Forces. The role of the SEAC is to advise the Chiefs of Staff Committee, contribute to policy and decision making, and "bring the perspective of the Warrant Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Junior Ranks". The first SEAC took up the appointment on 1 November 2018.
Major Gavin Henderson Paton is a British Army officer. From 2018 to 2021, he served as the Army Sergeant Major, the most senior warrant officer and member of the other ranks in the British Army.
Major General James Maurice Hannan Bowder, is a senior British Army officer. He currently serves as General Officer Commanding, London District and the Major-General commanding the Household Division.
Lieutenant Commander Carl P. "Speedy" Steedman is a Royal Navy officer, who served as Warrant Officer to the Royal Navy, the most senior non-commissioned advisor and senior rating of the Royal Navy from 31 January 2020 to July 2022.
Warrant Officer Class 1 Paul Christopher Carney is a senior British Army soldier. Since 2021, he has served as the Army Sergeant Major, the most senior warrant officer and member of the other ranks in the British Army.
