Paul Carney (British Army officer)

Major Paul Christopher Carney (born November 1979) is a British soldier. From 2021 to 2025, he served as the Army Sergeant Major, the most senior non-commissioned officer in the British Army.

Paul Carney
Born	November 1979 (age 45) Gosport, Hampshire, England
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Branch	British Army
Years of service	1997–present
Rank	Warrant Officer Class 1 (commissioned at major but serves as WO1)
Unit	Royal Engineers
Commands	Army Sergeant Major (2021–2025)
Battles / wars	Iraq War War in Afghanistan

Military career

Carney joined the British Army in January 1997. As a soldier of the Royal Engineers, he trained and served as a combat engineer and electrician. He rose to be regimental sergeant major of 22 Engineer Regiment. He then served as command sergeant major (CSM) of 3rd (United Kingdom) Division, and CSM of the Field Army. In July 2021, he was appointed the third Army Sergeant Major,^[1] thereby becoming the most senior member of the other ranks of the British Army.^[2][3]

Carney serves as a warrant officer but was commissioned as a captain on 2 April 2018.^[4] He was promoted to major on 31 July 2021.^[5]

Carney stepped down as Army Sergeant Major in April 2025.^[6]