25-05-2025
Sergeant majors urged to stop shouting at ‘sensitive recruits'
Sergeant majors should stop screaming at junior soldiers and instead copy the more understated leadership style of David Beckham, Army leaders are being taught.
Diplomacy, tact and a willingness to listen are now prized more highly than the ability to intimidate fresh recruits, according to those in charge of teaching non-commissioned officers.
Speaking to Soldier, the official magazine of the British Army, Warrant Officer Matt Howarth said some people still believed that officers behaved like the drill sergeant depicted in Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket.
Played by R Lee Ermey, who had himself trained Marine recruits during his time in the US Navy, Gunnery Sergeant Hartman created a brutal environment for those under his supervision in the celebrated Vietnam war film.
However, WO Howarth insisted that the era when officers 'shouted and screamed' – such as portrayed by Sergeant Major Williams in the sitcom It Ain't Half Hot Mum – was 'long gone' in the British Armed Forces.
'For me, the picture of a good leader is more like former England footballer David Beckham, who never seemed to raise his voice, was always approachable and who learned from his mistakes,' he said.
It is reportedly more important nowadays for regimental sergeant majors (RSMs) to earn the respect of those serving with them.
'With all RSMs becoming the principal adviser to their commanding officers, a key focus is on maintaining this relationship – an environment of trust is critical but they must have the confidence to challenge when needed,' Howarth said.
'Going back to David Beckham, one of his key strengths was that he kept an eye on the future and his aspirations beyond the pitch.
'Our leaders must do the same as they think about the later stages of their careers, whether they want to look at a late entry commission, a command sergeant major role or opportunities on civvy street.'
Warrant Officer Carl Kane, who plans the RSM instruction course, said that the role was very different from when he joined the army in 1999.
'Principally they are now more visible and approachable to the soldiers they are responsible for. It is a demanding life so it is helpful to be able to call on one another,' he said.
Warrant Officer Ciar Crow, who serves in The Rifles infantry regiment, said: 'I think if you put me on the spot in the Hartman v Beckham debate, the ideal RSM temperament needs to be made up of around three quarters the former England captain and the remaining 25 per cent the gunnery sergeant.
'You'd need to convince me that David Beckham is the ideal model in his entirety. My assumption is that he is a good leader, but I'm not sure he has a 'good telling off' in him, so to speak.
'In short, people need to know that Hartman is in you, even if he doesn't often appear. It's no good if all you do is shout, though, which was my early experience of the RSM.'
'Disappointed dad'
Crow's style, he added, is more that of a 'disappointed dad' when he has to reprimand someone.
He claimed: 'In all seriousness, this role requires you to have more in your toolbox now in terms of helping your soldiers – an open-door policy.'
Reflecting on how sergeant majors had changed over his career, Warrant Officer Jock Colvan-Graham told Soldier: 'Mine was about four-and-a-half feet tall. I remember him being angry most of the time. But things have changed these days.'
Warrant Officer Will Laughlan added: 'I remember the RSM being the person who did the shouting if you did things wrong. It's different now. In my last role as a squadron sergeant major I only ever raised my voice once.'
