What is the role of the Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA)?

• A. The SMA is the senior enlisted adviser and consultant to the Secretary of the Army and the Chief of Staff of the Army
• B. The SMA commands a division
• C. The SMA is the head of training at the Army
• D. The SMA handles civilian workforce affairs

Answer: (A)

The Sergeant Major of the Army serves as the senior enlisted adviser and consultant to the Secretary of the Army and the Chief of Staff of the Army. In this role, the SMA represents the enlisted force at the highest levels, offering counsel on readiness, training, standards, and issues affecting Soldiers and their families, and helping shape policies with an enlisted perspective. The focus is on guiding and informing Army leadership from the standpoint of noncommissioned officers and troopers, not on commanding units. Training policy and execution are handled by separate Army organizations like TRADOC, with the SMA able to weigh in but not head training programs. Civilian workforce affairs are managed by civilian leadership and offices dedicated to manpower policies, not by the SMA.