CSOs of Major Commands shall be a minimum of what pay grade?

• A. E7 with AT/FP duties
• B. E6 with AT/FP duties
• C. E8 with AT/FP duties
• D. O4 with AT/FP duties

Answer: (A)

CSOs at a Major Command handle the comprehensive anti-terrorism/force-protection program for the entire command. That means they coordinate policy, assess risk across many installations, train personnel, and ensure consistent AT/FP execution throughout subordinate units. To reliably oversee such a broad scope, the role needs someone with substantial leadership experience and the authority to supervise across multiple levels. A senior noncommissioned officer at pay grade E-7 fits that threshold, combining both the required experience and the responsibility to manage AT/FP duties command-wide. An E-6 generally lacks the breadth of authority and supervisory reach for command-level oversight, while an E-8 is more senior than the minimum requirement. An officer at O-4 follows a different track and isn’t the typical enlisted CSO level for this position. So, the minimum properly matches the level that can effectively lead the program across the Major Command.