Company quartermaster sergeant Company quartermaster sergeant is a military rank or appointment . Canada . A company quartermaster sergeant ( CQMS ) in the Canadian Forces is the non - commissioned officer in a company who is in charge of supplies . The CQMS also serves as deputy to the company sergeant major and is the second most senior NCO in the company . This appointment is held by a warrant officer . Historically , before Unification of the three services , the rank of staff sergeant was generally reserved for CQMS appointees in the former Canadian Army . Squadron quartermaster sergeant is the equivalent in the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps , Canadian Military Engineers , and in Communications Command . Battery quartermaster sergeant is the equivalent in the Royal Canadian Artillery . Ireland . The rank of company quartermaster sergeant ( CQMS ) ( " ceathrúsháirsint complacht " in Irish ) is also used in the Irish Army . It is an actual rank and is subordinate to the company sergeant ( equivalent to a company sergeant major ) . The CQMS is in charge of supplies , transport , stores , weapons , ammunition and accommodation . He or she answers to the company sergeant in matters regarding the physical welfare of the troops , including issue of kit and the supply of food and water and other stores . The title of company quartermaster sergeant is used in the infantry and most corps units . However , in the artillery the rank is known as battery quartermaster sergeant ( BtyQMS ) , not to be confused with the higher rank of battalion quartermaster sergeant ( BQMS ) , which is equivalent to a warrant officer , and in the cavalry it is known as squadron quartermaster sergeant ( SQMS ) . The Air Corps uses the rank of flight quartermaster sergeant . Myanmar . The rank of The rank of company quartermaster sergeant ( CQMS ) is also used in the Myanmar Army . The CQMS is in charge of supplies , transport , stores , weapons , ammunition and accommodation . And also the deputy to the company sergeant major and is the second most senior NCO in the company . The title of company quartermaster sergeant is used in Myanmar Army and its equivalent rank in the Myanmar Air Force is squadron quartermaster sergeant , and in Myanmar Navy is chief petty officer . United Kingdom . The company quartermaster sergeant ( CQMS ) in the British Army and Royal Marines is the non - commissioned officer in a company who is in charge of supplies . The CQMS also serves as deputy to the company sergeant major and is the second most senior NCO in the company . Company quartermaster sergeant was once a separate rank . However , by the Second World War it was an appointment of staff sergeant ( colour sergeant in the Royal Marines ) , and remains so today . In infantry companies , the CQMS is always addressed as " Colour Sergeant " . Squadron quartermaster sergeant is the equivalent in the Royal Armoured Corps , Special Air Service , Royal Engineers , Royal Corps of Signals , Army Air Corps , Royal Army Medical Corps , Royal Logistic Corps , Honourable Artillery Company , and formerly in the Royal Corps of Transport . Battery quartermaster sergeant is the equivalent in the Royal Artillery . Squadron quartermaster corporal is the equivalent in the Household Cavalry ( in which it is an appointment of staff corporal ) . United States . During the American Civil War , beginning on 4 May 1861 , each company of Union cavalry was authorised a company quartermaster sergeant . The company quartermaster sergeant was responsible for the company wagon and all the property it contained , including the tents , the company mess gear , the company desk , the company library , the ordnance , the subsistence provisions , and the company tools . He was further charged with overseeing the camp set - up of the tents and picket line s . He inspected the company horses and mules , and reported any problems to the veterinary surgeon of the regiment . He was also responsible for acquiring fuel , forage for the horses , and straw for bedding for the company . These were normally drawn from the supplies of the regimental quartermaster , along with replacements for uniforms and equipment . When they were not available from stores , the company quartermaster sergeant was responsible for forage parties to acquire them . The company quartermaster sergeant was required to sign for the uniforms and equipment that were in his custody and before disbursing these items to a soldier , he required a signature of receipt , countersigned by an officer . The rank of company quartermaster sergeant was not a command position , although he was required to know the drills , and the duties and responsibilities of the line NCOs . He was the second most senior NCO in the company after the first sergeant . During combat , his place was safeguarding the company wagon and its supplies . He was generally required to fight only in defence of the company property . In an extreme emergency , he could be used to replace a fallen line NCO , but this was extremely rare . The wagons were driven by teamsters , who were usually members of the company . Additionally , each cavalry company was authorized a wagoneer with the rank of corporal . The company quartermaster sergeant wore three chevron s with a single straight tie in worsted . Although worn by volunteer cavalry from 1862 , this rank badge was not incorporated into United States military regulations until 1866 . A battery quartermaster sergeant was also authorised for every artillery battery from 4 May 1861 . They began to adopt the same unofficial chevrons as the cavalry from May 1863 .