In a significant development aimed at enhancing the role of Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) and Other Ranks (ORs) in the Indian Army’s decision-making structure, Subedar Major Ojit Singh of 3 Assam Regiment has been appointed as the first Command Subedar Major (Comd SM) of the Northern Command. The appointment marks a new chapter in institutional leadership and troop engagement within the Army.
This landmark position was created following the directive of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), who ordered the establishment of Command Subedar Major posts across all Army Commands, as well as at the COAS level. The initiative draws inspiration from the role of the Senior Sergeant Major in Western militaries and is designed to establish a formal communication channel between the senior-most Army leadership and the JCOs/ORs who form the Army’s operational core.
As Command Subedar Major, Ojit Singh will serve in an advisory capacity to the Army Commander on all matters related to JCOs and ORs. This advisory role mirrors that of the Colonel Military Secretary (Col MS), who handles officer-level affairs. His insights will be crucial in shaping policy, morale, training standards, and personnel welfare from the grassroots level.
In addition to advisory duties, the Command SM will play a direct role in operational reviews. He will accompany the Army Commander during visits to units and formations, holding dedicated sessions with JCOs and ORs to assess ground realities and convey feedback to the command leadership.
The appointment is expected to institutionalize a deeper level of trust and coordination between Army Headquarters and the field units, especially in strategically critical areas under the Northern Command’s jurisdiction. It also signals a growing recognition of the importance of JCOs and ORs in shaping the future direction of the force.
Subedar Major Ojit Singh, known for his professionalism and vast field experience, brings immense credibility to this role. His tenure as the first Command SM is being viewed as a historic step that could set a precedent for future military leadership models in the Indian Army.
