Term length 3 years | Inaugural holder Wally Thompson | |
Style Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army (Warrant Officer) | ||
Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army (RSM-A) is the most senior Warrant Officer in the Australian Army. It is a singular appointment – it is only held by one person at any time. RSM-A holds the unique rank of Warrant Officer (WO) which is senior to Warrant Officer Class One. The special insignia for the RSM-A is the Australian coat of arms with a wreath around it. The tenth and current Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army is Don Spinks.
Based on the United States Army practice of appointing a Sergeant Major of the Army, the RSM-A is responsible to the Chief of Army (CA).
The appointment is the equivalent of the Warrant Officer of the Navy (WO-N) in the Royal Australian Navy, and the Warrant Officer of the Air Force (WOFF-AF) in the Royal Australian Air Force.
The post was created by the then Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Sir Phillip Bennett.