Major (rank)

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Major is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. When used unhyphenated and in conjunction with no other indicators, major is one rank above captain in armies and air forces, and one rank below lieutenant colonel. It is considered the most junior of the senior officer ranks. [1]

Contents

Background

Etymologically, the word stems from the Latin word major meaning "greater". [2] The rank can be traced back to the rank of sergeant major general, which was shortened to sergeant major, and subsequently shortened to major. [3]

When used in hyphenated or combined fashion, the term can also imply seniority at other levels of rank, including major general, denoting a low-level general officer, and sergeant major, denoting the most senior non-commissioned officer (NCO) of a military unit.[ disputed – discuss ][ citation needed ] The term major can also be used with a hyphen to denote the leader of a military band such as in pipe-major or drum-major.

Alphabetically sorted by name of country:

Insignia

Army insignia

See also

Related Research Articles

Vice admiral is a senior naval flag officer rank, usually equivalent to lieutenant general and air marshal. A vice admiral is typically senior to a rear admiral and junior to an admiral.

A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer rank in the armed forces of many nations, as well as fire services, emergency medical services, security services and police forces.

Lieutenant general is a military rank used in many countries. The rank originates from the Old European System. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages, where the title of lieutenant general was held by the second-in-command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a captain general.

Brigadier general or brigade general is a military rank used in many countries. The rank is usually above a colonel, and below a major general or divisional general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000 troops.

Sergeant major is a senior non-commissioned rank or appointment in many militaries around the world. Sergeants Major serve as the senior enlisted advisor to the commander.

Counter admiral is a rank found in many navies of the world, but no longer used in English-speaking countries, where the equivalent rank is rear admiral. The term derives from the French contre-amiral. Depending on the country, it is either a one-star or two-star rank.

Army general is the highest ranked general officer in many countries that use the French Revolutionary System. Army general is normally the highest rank used in peacetime.

Divisional general is a general officer rank who commands an army division. The rank originates from the French Revolutionary System, and is used by a number of countries. The rank is above a brigade general, and normally below an army corps general.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Captain (naval)</span> Naval military rank

Captain is the name most often given in English-speaking navies to the rank corresponding to command of the largest ships. The rank is equal to the army rank of colonel and air force rank of group captain.

Corporal first class is a military rank in use by many militaries and is usually a non-commissioned officer.

Major general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general.

Rank comparison chart of all armies and land forces of North and South American states.

Rank comparison chart of air forces of North and South American states.

Rank comparison chart of navies of North and South American states.

Rank comparison chart of navies of North and South American states.

Rank comparison chart of armies/ land forces of North and South American states.

Rank comparison chart of Non-commissioned officer and enlisted ranks for air forces of North and South American states.

Rank comparison chart of officers for armies/land forces of Hispanophone states.

Rank comparison chart of Non-commissioned officer and enlisted ranks for air forces of Hispanophone states.

Rank comparison chart of officers for air forces of Hispanophone states.

References

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