Which of the following is the highest rank among the E-9 classifications?

The highest rank among the E-9 classifications is the Sergeant Major of the Army. This rank is unique and holds the distinct position of being the senior enlisted advisor to the Army Chief of Staff and represents the enlisted force at the highest levels of the Army command. The Sergeant Major of the Army has responsibilities that include providing counsel to senior leadership on all matters affecting soldiers and their families.

While Sergeant Major, First Sergeant, and Command Sergeant Major are all esteemed ranks within the E-9 classification, they do not carry the same level of overall authority and representation as the Sergeant Major of the Army. Each of these other ranks serves important roles, with Command Sergeant Major often acting as the senior enlisted advisor at the battalion or brigade level, and First Sergeant managing day-to-day operations at the company level. However, none hold the overarching and institutional significance that the Sergeant Major of the Army possesses within the Army structure.