Drum Major - Appointment and Uniform

The insignia of appointment is four large point-up chevrons surmounted by a drum worn on the uniform sleeve. The drum major is always referred to and addressed as "Drum Major" and not by his/her rank. Drum majors generally have the rank of a senior NCO. Because of the special nature of the appointment, drum majors are normally entitled to wear an officer's pattern sword.

However, capability is the main qualification for appointment: the most senior or highest-ranked member of the unit is not always the drum major. In British and Australian tradition, a drum major usually wears the same uniform as the rest of the band with the additional of a diagonal sash.
The main task of a military drum major is to control the tempo that the band plays at as well as set the marching pace.