Army Rank is Not Just About Pay

Thought I would provide an historical example as to why we address Tim Walz as Command Sergeant Major Walz and not the rank he held for purposes of retirement from the Minnesota Army National Guard. I culled this from over a half-dozen books on Custer in my collection, some contemporary and a few written over 100 years ago:

While there is much to criticize about Custer lore, George Armstrong Custer certainly had a dynamic military career, with various ranks due to both his permanent promotions and temporary "brevet" promotions, which were common during the Civil War. Here’s an overview of the ranks he held:

Permanent Ranks:

1. Second Lieutenant (July 1861): Custer graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1861 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 2nd U.S. Cavalry.

2. First Lieutenant (June 1862): Custer was promoted to first lieutenant in the 5th U.S. Cavalry during the Civil War.

3. Captain (July 1864): He was promoted to captain in the regular army during the Civil War.

4. Lieutenant Colonel (1866): After the Civil War, Custer was given the permanent rank of lieutenant colonel in the newly formed 7th U.S. Cavalry, a rank he held until his death.

Brevet Ranks (Temporary or Honorary):

Brevet ranks were honorary promotions awarded for gallantry or meritorious service, and they did not change a soldier's official pay or seniority. Custer received several brevet promotions during the Civil War:

1. Brevet Major (June 1863): For his actions at the Battle of Aldie, Virginia.

2. Brevet Lieutenant Colonel (July 1863): For his actions at the Battle of Gettysburg.

3. Brevet Colonel (March 1864): For his actions at the Battle of Yellow Tavern.

4. Brevet Brigadier General (June 1863): At the age of 23, Custer was promoted to brevet brigadier general of U.S. Volunteers, making him one of the youngest generals in the Union Army.

5. Brevet Major General (April 1865): Near the end of the Civil War, Custer was promoted to brevet major general of U.S. Volunteers for his performance in the final campaigns leading to the Confederate surrender.

Post-War and Final Rank:

After the Civil War, Custer reverted to his permanent rank of captain in the regular army but was soon promoted to lieutenant colonel in the 7th U.S. Cavalry. Despite his brevet promotions during the war, his permanent rank was still lieutenant colonel when he was killed at the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876.

So, while Custer held various ranks throughout his career, his most famous and final rank was that of lieutenant colonel in the 7th U.S. Cavalry. However, he was and is often referred to in writings and conversation as Major General Custer, or simply General Custer, out of respect particularly for his Civil War service. While breveted because he did not meet the requirements for awarding of the rank permanently, he did hold the rank temporarily and custom dictated that he be addressed accordingly.

Even Custer’s grave at West Point acknowledges his Brevet Major General rank.

As far as I’m concerned, the title of Command Sergeant Major Walz is both earned and accurate, regardless of what his discharge and retirement statements say.