Without another word, he marches to his place, the other Sergeants go to theirs, the GSM sits, everyone else sits.
During my tour in Cyprus Mrs G and I were invited to the Royal Signals Sgt's Mess, Episkopi, for New Year's Eve. On arrival with my small party of friends I offered to buy the first round of drinks. I was the only one at the bar and gave the barman my order. He then completely ignored me, standing there polishing glasses etc. A few minutes later in walked the RSM with his party. He walked up to the bar ordered drinks and was immediately served. The barman then turned to me and took my order. My friends took great delight in explaining that on social nights, no-one is served before the RSM! As an aside, the drummer in the band was 'inside' but the RSM released him for the evening's event.