The office of the Sergeant Major of the Army was created by the Army on 4 July 1966. It was created to help professionalize the NCO Corps and to thereby improve the Corps performance and responsibility. The Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA) position gave symbolic and active support to those efforts. The SMA's office evolved and developed parallel to the professionalization of the NCO Corps. The SMA also gave prestige to Noncommissioned Officers army wide because we now had one of our own (a NCO) across the hall from the Chief of Staff of the Army (CSA). The actions of those who have held the office have contributed significantly to the advancement and professionalization of the Noncommissioned Officer.

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