Major (United Kingdom) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Major
Army and Royals Marines insignia
Country	United Kingdom
Service branch	British Army  Royal Marines
Abbreviation	Maj
NATO rank	OF-3
Next higher rank	Lieutenant colonel
Next lower rank	Captain
Equivalent ranks	Lieutenant commander (RN) Squadron leader (RAF)

A Major (often shortened to Maj) is an important military rank. It's used in the British Army and the Royal Marines. A Major is a leader who is above a Captain but below a Lieutenant Colonel. You can spot a Major by their special badge, which is a crown.

Other parts of the UK military have similar ranks. In the Royal Navy, it's a Lieutenant Commander. In the Royal Air Force, it's a squadron leader.

History of the Major Rank

Early History of Majors

The rank of Major has been around for a long time. By the time of the Napoleonic Wars, which happened in the early 1800s, a large group of soldiers called an infantry battalion usually had two Majors. These were known as the "senior major" and the "junior major."

The senior major was like the second-in-command of the battalion. Majors often led smaller groups of soldiers, made up of two or more companies. Today, the second-in-command of a battalion or regiment is still a Major.

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  1856 to 1867 major's collar rank insignia

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  1867 to 1880 major's collar rank insignia

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  1881 to 1902 major's shoulder rank insignia

Majors in World War I

During World War I, Majors wore their rank badges on their cuffs (the end of their sleeves).

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  1902 to 1920 major's sleeve rank insignia (general pattern)

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  1902 to 1920 major's sleeve rank insignia (Scottish pattern)

However, these cuff badges made officers easy targets for enemy snipers. Because of this, some officers started wearing their rank badges on their shoulders instead. This was a safer way to show their rank. This practice became official in 1917 and was made permanent in 1920. After that, cuff badges were no longer used.

Majors in the Royal Air Force

For a short time, the Royal Air Force (RAF) also used the rank of Major. This was from April 1918 to July 1919. After that, the RAF changed the rank to squadron leader, which they still use today.

Modern Role of a Major

By World War I, Majors often commanded independent groups like squadrons (for cavalry) and batteries (for artillery). After World War II, Major became the usual rank for officers leading all companies, squadrons, and batteries.

In the British Army today, officers usually become a Major after about eight to ten years of service. A common job for a Major is to command a sub-unit. This is a group of up to 120 junior officers and soldiers.

See also

• British and U.S. military ranks compared
• British Army Other Ranks rank insignia
• British Army officer rank insignia