Army majors and personnel holding equivalent rank in the Air Force and Navy are commissioned officers, meaning they receive a presidential commission as an officer. Commissioned officers rank above enlisted personnel and warrant officers. They serve as leaders and managers in the Armed Forces. In the Air Force, the equivalent rank is also called major, but in the Navy an officer of this rank is a lieutenant commander.
Majors as Mid-Level Officers
Commissioned officers are divided into three categories. The lowest three ranks are called company officers in the Army and Air Force. In the Navy they are referred to as junior officers. The next rank is field grade officer in the Army and Air Force or mid-grade officer in the Navy. Major is the lowest ranking field grade officer behind lieutenant colonel and colonel. The Air Force uses the same designation, while the Navy calls these ranks commander and captain, respectively. Field grade officers rank below general officers in the Army and Air force and flag officers in the Navy.
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