Army creates senior military post

The British military has created its highest ever post for a soldier, it has been revealed.

In order to ensure the Army's most senior staff understand what life is like for soldiers serving in the British Army, the role of Army Sergeant Major has been created.

Sergeant Major Glenn Haughton was named as the soldier that will take up this new post.

The Chief of the General Staff hand picked Mr Haughton for the role. In 2012, he was selected for Late Entry Commission.

He then went on to put officer cadets at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst through their paces as the Academy Sergeant Major.

As part of his role, Mr Haughton sits on a number of boards and committees and is a member of the Lower Honours Committee, the Army Medals Board, the Army Dress Committee and is a trustee of the Army Central Fund. 

According to army.mod.uk, he is the only military personnel who is also an Army Benevolent Fund trustee. He is also the only soldier ever to be an executive member of the Executive Committee Army Board (ECAB).

This new appointment measures means that Mr Haughton will be at the forefront of making senior decisions at policy level that will affect everyone in the army, including those on the front-line.

In an interview published by the army.mod.uk website, he said: "The generals are listening to the soldiers. CGS has said my role there is to keep ECAB honest and relevant."

He said that he sees sporting activities as a vital part of any soldier’s career and wellbeing and is also the vice president of Army Football.