SG1 military rank question

[Paul Weaver]

In SG1 season 9, episode 1, Walter was confirmed as a "Chief Master Sergeant", the "the ninth, and highest, enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force" according to Wonkypedia, with a subnote that on a technicality an adviser to the joint chief of staffs could outrank them, in theory.

However in 9.04, "The ties that bind", General Landry threatens to promote Walter, as he's really good at paperwork (as well as dialing gates and flying spaceships)

My question is, could a Major General actually promote a chief master sergeant, and if so how?

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

There seems to be four E9 ranks in the modern Air Force, with Chief Master Sergeant being the lowest of the four.

As far as the promotion, it could be considered a field promotion maybe?

 

[The Wormhole]

In SG1 season 9, episode 1, Walter was confirmed as a "Chief Master Sergeant", the "the ninth, and highest, enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force" according to Wonkypedia, with a subnote that on a technicality an adviser to the joint chief of staffs could outrank them, in theory.

Although Chief Master Sergeant is technically the highest rank in the USAF, the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force does outrank that and is the highest enlisted position in the USAF, sort of the enlisted equivalent to the Chief of Staff. In fact, every branch of the US military has one of these and there is the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman, a position which can be filled by an NCO from any branch of US military and reports directly to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.

Of course, in the episode Landry is just being sarcastic, but another option would be promoting Walter to officer's rank, which can theoretically happen.

 

[Mark_Nguyen]

Well, for whatever reason Walter did a whole lot more than just "make it spin" and calling out whenever the chevrons light up - he was effectively the General's adjutant as well, taking care of all sorts of administrative stuff for the CO. I'm guessing that in practice it SHOULD be two separate positions, really. So perhaps a promotion to officer's rank would not be out of the question, to give Walter some actual authority to make decisions in the officer chain of command.

Mark

 

[MacLeod]

Of course Walter at least later seemed to be modelled on Radar from MASH

 

[Mark_Nguyen]

Well yeah, after all Radar on MASH also served with a General Hammond. Moreover though, Radar was ACTUALLY a clerk, and never had any responsibility to dial a Stargate.

Mark

 

[Nerys Myk]

Well yeah, after all Radar on MASH also served with a General Hammond. Moreover though, Radar was ACTUALLY a clerk, and never had any responsibility to dial a Stargate.

Mark

Radar's given name is Walter O'Reilly.

 

[The Wormhole]

According to DVD commentaries, Walter Harriman is supposedly named Walter after Radar. Of course, the whole issue of Walter's name has been one of SG-1's more troublesome continuity problems over the course of the series.