the unit, and troops who have come on outstation assignment to his unit. He also ensures the maintenance of unit & regiment traditions, ethos and customs, the upkeep, and the maintenance of religious places within the battalion. The subedar major is also the unit or regiment cashier who handles all cash transactions. He is also responsible for the welfare of all his junior JCOs as well as NCOs and ORs. A unit's subedar major also acts as a mentor to young commissioned officers as well as soldiers and is responsible for maintaining the collective discipline of the unit. Pakistan Army Similar to other Commonwealth countries, Pakistan Army inherited its rank structure from the British Empire. Sergeant major is now the highest JCO/OR rank in the Pakistan Army, its equivalent to NATO OR-9 rank, with a wreathed star and crescent with green and red. These stripes separate subedar-majors from full commissioned majors. It is also known by other names such as subedar major or risaldar major. Battalion subedar-major (BSM), on the other hand, is an appointment within a regiment. A battalion subedar-major is responsible for advising the unit officers on matters pertaining to enlisted ranks. He is also responsible for maintaining enlisted ranks discipline. After the creation of Pakistan in 1947, the rank still holds significance in Pakistan Army culture, as the sergeant major in a battalion is regarded as an advocate for the enlisted ranks. Officers usually refer to senior enlisted ranks like battalion sergeant major as 'Sahab', which translates to Sir or 'Staff', as terms of respect. Military colleges like College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Military College of Signals, Military College of Engineers, Pakistan Military Academy and Army Medical College also use battalion sergeant major as a cadet appointment reserved for senior year students. References Military ranks of British India Pakistan Army ranks Military ranks of the Indian Army