Major

Major is the name most commonly given to the military rank equivalent to NATO rank code OF-3. It is usually immediately superior to the rank of Captain (OF-2), and immediately subordinate to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (OF-4).

Major ranks by country

United States armed forces

In the United States military, the rank of Major is used in the United States Army, U.S. Air Force, and United States Marines. The insignia consists of a gold oak leaf. The rank is considered the equivalent to a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy and U.S. Coast Guard.

Related Topics:
United States Army - U.S. Air Force - United States Marines - Lieutenant Commander - United States Navy - U.S. Coast Guard

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The U.S. rank of Major is considered the first field grade officer grade and warrants gold trim worn on a military cap's visor.

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French Army

Until 1973, when the rank was re-instated, the French Army and French Air Force did not use the rank of Major except for its medical doctors. The rank Commandant (shortened from Capitaine-commandant, 'captain commanding (a batallion)'; just C. rather indicates a commanding function, regardless of rank, especially 'the captain' of a war ship) was used instead. This is because, prior to the professionalization of armies subsequent to the French revolution, a major was appointed by the King to keep track of the expenditures and readiness of a regiment. He could be either a commoner or a nobleman, and was called a "commissar", not an "officer". The French Army did not want to be reminded of the old monarch.

Related Topics:
French Army - French Air Force - French revolution

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British Army

In the British Army and Royal Marines, a major wears a single crown. The crown has varied in the past with different monarchs; the current one being the Crown of St Edward. The insignia of the nations of the British Commonwealth is similar.

Related Topics:
British Army - Royal Marines - Monarch - Crown of St Edward - British Commonwealth

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In the British Commonwealth a major holds the position of Company (or equivalent) Officer Commanding.

Related Topics:
British Commonwealth - Company - Officer Commanding

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Canadian Forces

In the Canadian Forces, the Major rank is represented by three bars. Two thick bars with a thin bar in between them. All officer bars are of gold thread in the dress uniforms, olive drab in combat uniform.

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Korea

The Korean military rank of Major is known as Soryong in South Korea and as Sojwa in the North. The South Korean insignia consists of a single star burst collar insignia while the North Korean military displays a shoulder board similar to the old Soviet Union rank of Major.

Related Topics:
Korean military rank - South Korea - The North - Soviet Union

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Germany

The rank of Major in Germany is pronounced Mi'or and dates to the time of the Middle Ages. During World War II, the Waffen-SS equivalent to the rank of Major was known as Sturmbannführer.

Related Topics:
Middle Ages - World War II - Waffen-SS - Sturmbannführer

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