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The post of Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps was, until a few short years ago, unique in the annals of military history. It was a true Marine Corps "first," since no foreign military service has ever had-and still doesn't have-such a rank.
The President of the United States once characterized the present Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Leland D. Crawford, as being "a very distinguished-looking gentleman."
It is a fitting description. After all, he's heir to a title that is probably the oldest of all military ranks.
Sergeants major-in one form or another-have continuously "been on active duty" in the military forces of the world for well over eight centuries.
Once upon a time, about three hundred years ago, sergeants major were, in fact, general officers, ranking just below a lieutenant general.
At that stage of history they carried the title of Sergeant Major General, a rank designation which, over the succeeding years, has been subject to considerable re-shuffling within the military rank structure.
As a case in point, back in 1645, a gentleman bearing the rather familiar name of Oliver Cromwell-soldier, statesman, and architect of England's Civil War-created what history refers to as the "New Model Army." The title is particularly well chosen, since it provides the model upon which most of the world's armies have been patterned ever since.
History also indicates that this innovation in arms worked out rather neatly as far as Cromwell's personal ambitions were concerned, as well. As a result of the imaginative employment of his new force of arms, Cromwell provided himself the rare opportunity of rejecting the title of King of England in favor of becoming the "undisputed lord of the bloodstained and devastated island"-Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland.
But, that's another story....
More to the point is the fact that when Cromwell formed his new army he awarded the post of commanding general to that very able British warrior, and close personal friend, Captain General Sir Thomas Fairfax. Command of the cavalry, which was the "senior service" in those days, was assumed by none other than Lieutenant General Oliver Cromwell, himself. And the infantry, lo and behold, was commanded by Sergeant Major General Sir Charles Skippon.
Thus is to be...