"Senior master sergeant (SMSgt) is the eighth enlisted rank (pay grade E-8) in the U.S. Air Force, just above master sergeant and below chief master sergeant and is a senior noncommissioned officer (SNCO).According to Air Force Instruction 36-2618, The Enlisted Force Structure:SMSgts are key, experienced, operational leaders, skilled at merging their personnel's talents, skills, and resources with other teams' functions to most effectively accomplish the mission."@en . . .