Regimental Sergeant Major - Singapore

Singapore

Like most Commonwealth forces, the RSM in the Singapore Armed Forces is usually the most senior warrant officer in the unit. Depending on the size of the unit, RSMs can be Third (3WO), Second (2WO), First (1WO), Master (MWO), or Senior (SWO) Warrant Officers.

Exceptions to this are:

• in the presence of another warrant officer; however even under these circumstances, the RSM is treated as the Senior Warrant Officer of the unit while the other warrant officers are recognised as officers.
• in NS (reserve equivalent) battalions which often have NS junior sergeants fast-tracked for promotion holding the RSM appointment.

During exercises and operations, the role of the RSM is to organize the battalion for movement, and to assist the unit S1 (Manpower Officer) in manpower administration.

In camp, he is the master of drill, parades and ceremonies. He supervises the Company Sergeants Major and Platoon Sergeants in the instruction of drill, and is in charge of the organization of formal parades. On the parade square, the RSM, with his pace stick, is "king" as he has authority over all soldiers and even has the power to order punishment for subalterns (junior commissioned officers such as captains and lieutenants). In fact, the RSM may conduct "subalterns' parades" - private sessions for junior officers to perfect their foot and sword drills away from the critical eyes of the other ranks.

Senior officers may address him simply as "RSM", while, as a warrant officer, he is addressed as "Sir" by those junior in rank. Traditionally, all warrant officers, with or without an appointment as RSM or CSM, are addressed as "Encik" ("mister" in Malay) by officers and other ranks although this is an informal right which is not to be assumed. Sometimes, lower ranked NCOs who are not warrant officers but who are holding the appointment of CSM may also be given the honour of being addressed as "Encik." Nevertheless, all specialists and warrant officers holding sergeant-major appointments should be addressed as "sergeant-major".