I stayed at the SFC level for seven years (NG) and finally made MSG in 1988. If I hadn't made MSG, I'd have gone the warrant route. Three years later, I made SGM and have been that ever since. There is no way I want a CSM postition, since it's the same pay and many more problems.
Good for you. I never made it to the top of anything.
E5, W2 and 04.
In the early sixties you needed a scorecard. There were still grandfathered NCOs. An SSG could have been an E5 or E6. SFC an E6 or E7. And a MSG an E7 or E8. Specialist grades went all the way to E9. I think I remember seeing one.