Major (United States)
In the United States Army, Marine Corps, Air Force and Space Force, major is a field officer above the rank of captain and below the rank of lieutenant colonel. It is equivalent to the naval rank of lieutenant commander in the other uniformed services. Although lieutenant commanders are considered junior officers by their services (Navy and Coast Guard), the rank of major is that of a senior officer in the United States Army, the United States Marine Corps, and the United States Air Force.
For other countries that use this rank, see Major.
Major
United States
MAJ (Army)
Maj
OF-3
The pay grade for the rank of major is O-4. The insignia for the rank consists of a golden oak leaf, with slight stylized differences between the Army/Air Force version and the Marine Corps version. Promotion to major is governed by the Department of Defense policies derived from the Defense Officer Personnel Management Act of 1980.
Law enforcement[edit]
Many law enforcement agencies use major as a rank, including nearly every state police agency, many sheriff's offices, and some county and municipal police departments. Examples include the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, DeKalb County Police Department, and Baltimore Police Department. Majors in law enforcement agencies usually command a precinct or a larger element, such as a division or bureau (i.e., Patrol Division, Detective Bureau, etc.).
