Major General or Major-General is a military rank Military rank is a system of hierarchical relationships in armed forces or civil institutions organized along military lines. Usually, uniforms denote the bearer's rank by particular insignia affixed to the uniforms. Ranking systems have been known for most of military history to be advantageous for military operations, in particular with regards used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of Sergeant Major General. A Major General is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of Lieutenant General Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. 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 and senior to the ranks of Brigadier In many countries, especially those formerly part of the former British Empire, a Brigadier is either the highest field rank or most junior General appointment, nominally commanding a brigade. It ranks above a full Colonel and below a Major General and Brigadier General Brigadier General is the lowest ranking General Officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of Colonel and Major General. "Major General" is generally considered to be a 2 star rank An officer of 2 star rank is a senior commander in many of the armed services holding a rank described by the NATO code of OF-7. The term is also used by some armed forces which are not NATO members. Typically, 2 star officers would hold the rank of Rear Admiral or Counter Admiral, Major General or in the case of those air forces with a separate.[1]

Insignia

Army insignia

Australian Army Major General

Austro-Hungarian Army The Austro-Hungarian Army was the ground force of the Austro-Hungarian Dual Monarchy . It was composed of the joint army (k.u.k. Armee - recruited from all parts of the country), the Austrian Landwehr (recruited from Cisleithania), and the Hungarian Honvédség (recruited from Transleithania) Generalmajor

Belgian Général-major Generaal-majoor

Bulgarian (Генерал-майор)

Canadian Army Land Force Command , often also called the Canadian Army, is responsible for army operations within the Canadian Forces. The current size of Land Force Command is 19,500 regular soldiers and 16,000 reserve soldiers, for a total of around 35,500 soldiers Major General

Croatian General bojnik

Czech Generálmajor

Danish Generalmajor

Estonian The Estonian Defence Forces (Estonian: Eesti Kaitsevägi listen is the name of the unified armed forces of the Republic of Estonia. The Estonian military is a defence force consisting of an Maavägi (Army), Merevägi (Navy), Õhuvägi (Air Force) and a paramilitary organization Kaitseliit (Defence League). The national defence policy aims to Kindralmajor

French Général de Division

German Generalmajor

Greek (Υποστράτηγος)

Hungarian (Vezérőrnagy)

Italian Generale di Divisione (Maggiore Generale)

Latvian (Ģenerālmajors)

Lithuanian (Generolas majoras)

Netherlands (Generaal-majoor)

Norwegian (Generalmajor)

Pakistan Army Major General

Polish (Generał dywizji)

Portuguese Army Major-General

Romanian (General-maior)

Slovakian (Generálmajor)

Slovenian (Generalmajor)

Spanish (General de división)

Swedish Generalmajor

Turkish (Tümgeneral)

U.K. (British) Army Major-General

U.S. Army Major General

Air Force insignia

Canadian Air Force Canadian Forces Air Command , also known as the Canadian Air Force, is the air force element of the Canadian Forces. AIRCOM is the descendant of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), which was Canada's air force from its foundation in 1924 until February 1, 1968 Major General

Denmark

Germany

Greece (Υποπτέραρχο)

Italy (Generale di Divisione Aerea)

Netherlands

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Spain

U.S.
Common military ranks Military rank is a system of hierarchical relationships in armed forces or civil institutions organized along military lines. Usually, uniforms denote the bearer's rank by particular insignia affixed to the uniforms. Ranking systems have been known for most of military history to be advantageous for military operations, in particular with regards
Officers An officer is a member of an armed force who holds a position of authority. Commissioned officers derive authority directly from a sovereign power and, as such, hold a commission charging them with the duties and responsibilities of a specific office or position. Commissioned officers are typically the only persons, in a military environment, able
Navies Armies Air forces
Admiral of the Fleet Field Marshal Field Marshal is a military officer rank. Today, it is the highest rank in the armies in which it is used, one step above a general or colonel-general Marshal of the Air Force
Admiral Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above Vice Admiral and below Admiral of the Fleet/Fleet Admiral. It is usually abbreviated to "Adm." or "ADM". Where relevant, Admiral is a 4 star rank General A general officer is an officer of high military rank. The term or equivalent is used by nearly every country in the world. General can be used as a generic term for all grades of general officer, or it can specifically refer to a single rank that is just called general Air Marshal Air Marshal is a 3 star air officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force. The rank is also used by the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence and it is sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank
Commodore Commodore is a military rank used in many navies for officers whose position exceeds that of a navy captain, but is less than that of a rear admiral Brigadier In many countries, especially those formerly part of the former British Empire, a Brigadier is either the highest field rank or most junior General appointment, nominally commanding a brigade. It ranks above a full Colonel and below a Major General Air Commodore Air Commodore is an air officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force. The rank is also used by the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence and it is sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure
Captain Captain is the name most often given in English-speaking navies to the rank corresponding to command of the largest ships. The NATO rank code is OF-5, equivalent to an army full colonel Colonel Colonel (Col or COL) is a military rank of a commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every country in the world. It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures. A colonel is typically in charge of a regiment in the army Group Captain Group Captain is a senior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. It ranks above Wing Commander and immediately below Air Commodore. The name of the rank is the complete phrase, and is never shortened to "Captain"
Commander Commander is a military rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the military, particularly in police and law enforcement Lt. Colonel Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence. A lieutenant colonel is typically in charge of Wing Commander Wing Commander is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. It ranks above Squadron Leader and immediately below Group Captain. The name of the rank is the complete phrase; it is never shortened to "Commander"
Lt. Commander Lieutenant Commander is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a Lieutenant and subordinate to a Commander. The corresponding rank in most armies (armed services) and air forces is Major, and in the Royal Air Force and other Commonwealth air forces is Squadron Leader Major In many European languages, the term Major refers to a military rank, denoting seniority at one of usually various levels of rank, for example: "General-Major" or "Major-General" denoting a senior ranking general officer. "Captain-Major", denoting a mid-level command status officer (immediately superior to the rank of Squadron Leader Squadron Leader is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is also sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure. In these cases a Squadron Leader ranks above Flight
Lieutenant Lieutenant is a military, naval, paramilitary, fire service, emergency medical services or police officer rank Captain The army rank of Captain is an officer rank historically corresponding to command of a company of soldiers. The rank is also used by some air forces and marine forces. Today a captain is typically the commander, or second in command, of a company or squadron Flight Lieutenant Flight Lieutenant is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many Commonwealth countries. It ranks above Flying Officer and immediately below Squadron Leader. The name of the rank is the complete phrase; it is never shortened to "Lieutenant". In informal usage, a flight lieutenant is sometimes referred to
Sub-Lieutenant In many navies, a sub-lieutenant is a naval commissioned or subordinate officer, ranking below a Lieutenant. In the Royal Navy the rank of sub-lieutenant is equivalent to the rank of Lieutenant in the British Army and of Flying Officer in the Royal Air Force. An RN sub-lieutenant ranks above an Army Second Lieutenant or an RAF Pilot Officer Lieutenant Lieutenant is a military, naval, paramilitary, fire service, emergency medical services or police officer rank Flying Officer Flying Officer is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is also sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure. In these cases a Flying Officer usually ranks above
Seamen, Seaman as a rank refers to one of the lowest ranks in a Navy. In Commonwealth context it refers to the lowest rank in the Navy, followed by Able Seaman and Leading Seaman, and followed by the Petty Officer ranks soldiers Soldier refers to a member of the land component of national armed forces; whereas, a soldier hired for service in a foreign army would be a mercenary. In most languages, "soldier" includes commissioned and non-commissioned officers in national land forces and airmen Airman is a term used to refer to any enlisted personnel in the United States Air Force or Other Ranks in the Royal Air Force . It is also a specific rank in the United States Air Force. More informally, it can refer to any member of an air force or to any pilot or aviator, military or civilian. When capitalized, it can mean any member of the
Warrant Officer The rank was first used in the English Royal Navy and is today used in many other countries, essentially the Commonwealth and USA. Outside the USA they are effectively senior non-commissioned officers with long military experience, although technically in a class of their own between NCOs and commissioned officers Sergeant Major A Sergeant Major is a rank or appointment in many militaries around the world. In Commonwealth countries, Sergeants Major are usually appointments held by senior non-commissioned officers or warrant officers. In the United States, there are various degrees of Sergeant Major (Command Sergeant Major , Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA)), but they are Warrant Officer The rank was first used in the English Royal Navy and is today used in many other countries, essentially the Commonwealth and USA. Outside the USA they are effectively senior non-commissioned officers with long military experience, although technically in a class of their own between NCOs and commissioned officers
Petty Officer At the height of the Age of Sail there was a group of inferior officers between the sea officers, both commissioned and warrant, and the sailors commonly known as petty officers. These were men with some claim to officer's rank, sufficient to distinguish them from ordinary ratings without raising them so high as the sea officers. Several were Sergeant Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent Sergeant Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent
Leading Rate Leading Rating is the most senior of the junior rates in the Royal Navy. It is equal in status to Corporal, although for a long time was officially junior to that rank. The rate was introduced under the authority of Admiralty Circular No. 121 of 14 June 1853 Corporal Corporal is a rank in use in some form by most militaries and also by some police forces or other uniformed organizations. It is usually equivalent to NATO Rank Code OR-4. The word is probably derived from a medieval Italian phrase capo corporale, meaning "head of a body ". It may also derive from an appointment as an officer's bodyguard, Corporal Corporal is a rank in use in some form by most militaries and also by some police forces or other uniformed organizations. It is usually equivalent to NATO Rank Code OR-4. The word is probably derived from a medieval Italian phrase capo corporale, meaning "head of a body ". It may also derive from an appointment as an officer's bodyguard,
Seaman Seaman as a rank refers to one of the lowest ranks in a Navy. In Commonwealth context it refers to the lowest rank in the Navy, followed by Able Seaman and Leading Seaman, and followed by the Petty Officer ranks Private A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank . The term dates from the Middle Ages, where privates were known as "private soldiers" (a term still used in the United Kingdom) who were either hired, conscripted, or feudalized into service by a nobleman forming an army. The usage of Private dates from the 18th century, when the army Aircraftman Aircraftman , or Aircraftwoman (ACW), is the lowest rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of several other Commonwealth countries

Australia

Main article: Major General (Australia)

Austria

In the old Austro-Hungarian Army The Austro-Hungarian Army was the ground force of the Austro-Hungarian Dual Monarchy . It was composed of the joint army (k.u.k. Armee - recruited from all parts of the country), the Austrian Landwehr (recruited from Cisleithania), and the Hungarian Honvédség (recruited from Transleithania), the major general was called a Generalmajor General is presently the highest rank of the German Army (Heer) and Luftwaffe (Air Force). It is the equivalent to an Admiral in the German Navy (Deutsche Marine).[2] Today's Austrian Federal Army still uses the same term. (Collar insignias)

Canada

In the Canadian Forces, the rank of Major-General (MGen) (Major-général or Mgén in French) is an Army or Air Force rank equal to a Rear-Admiral of the Navy. A Major-General is a General Officer, the equivalent of a Naval Flag Officer. A Major-General is senior to a Brigadier-General or Commodore, and junior to a Lieutenant-General or Vice-Admiral.

The rank insignia for a Major-General is two gold maple leaves beneath crossed sword and baton, all surmounted by St. Edward's Crown. It is worn on the shoulder straps of the Service Dress tunic, and on slip-ons on other uniforms. The Service Dress tunic also features a wide strip of gold braid around the cuff. On the visor of the service cap are two rows of gold oak leaves.

Major-Generals are initially addressed by rank and name; thereafter by subordinates as "Sir" or "Ma'am", as applicable. Major-Generals are normally entitled to staff cars.

Links

Canadian Forces ranks and insignia

Estonia

In the Estonian military, the major general rank is called Kindralmajor.

Finland

The Finnish military equivalent is Kenraalimajuri, or Generalmajor in Swedish.

France

In the French military, Major général is not a rank but an appointment conferred on some generals, usually of Général de corps d'armée rank, acting as head of staff of a branch of service. This should not be confused with the chief of staff, who is usually a Général d'armée, and the true commander of each service. The position of major général can be considered the equivalent of a deputy chief of Staff. There are five Major Generals: the Major General of the Armies, head of the General Staff, the Major General of the Army, the Major General of the Navy, the Major General of the Gendarmerie and the Major General of the Air Force.

Historically, the French army had some sergent-majors généraux, also called sergents de bataille, whose task was to prepare the disposition of the army on the field before a battle. These sergents-majors généraux became a new rank, the maréchal de camp (not the same as a Field Marshal, in the French Army from antiquity called a Maréchal de France), which was the equivalent of the rank of major general. However the term of major général was not forgotten and used to describe the appointment of armies chiefs of staff. One well-known French Major général was Marshal Berthier, Major General of Napoléon's Grande armée.

The French equivalent to the rank of Major General is Général de division.

Germany

The German Army and Luftwaffe refer to the rank as Generalmajor. It was the lowest general officer rank used in German armies until the remilitarization of Germany in 1955 with West Germany's admission to NATO, when the rank of Brigadegeneral was introduced as the lowest rank for the Bundeswehr of West Germany and the former highest rank of Generaloberst was not used. The change was likely made to avoid confusion over relative rank in NATO forces. The Nationale Volksarmee of East Germany continued the use Generalmajor as the lowest general officer rank until reunification.

Iran

In Imperial Iranian army and air force, the rankings of the above Colonel are respectively Sar-teep (Brigadier General), Sar-Lashgar (Major General), Sepah-Boad (Lieutenant General), and Artesh-Boad (General)

Ireland

In the Irish Defence Forces there are 4 Major Generals, each Commanding a Brigade. These are the 1st Southern Brigade, 2nd Eastern Brigade, the 4th Western Brigade and the Defence Forces Training Centre (DFTC)

Israel

In the Israel Defence Forces, a Major General is called an Aluf and is the second highest rank, only outranked by Rav Aluf (Lieutenant General or General), who is also the Chief of Staff.

Italy

In Italy exists the Army rank of Generale di Divisione. In the army the Generale di Divisione is the commander of a division or as other duties in the various national or international staff, in the Carabinieri or Guardia di Finanza. He/she is usually the commander of the units in a zone of the country.

Korea

In South Korea, the rank of Major General is known as Sojang (Hangul: 소장, Hanja: 少將).

The rank of Sojang is also used in North Korea, where it is the lowest general officer and flag officer rank, equivalent to a one star General and Admiral. The North Korean equivalent to a two star General is Jungjang, which roughly translates as Lieutenant General.

New Zealand

In the New Zealand Army, Major-General is the rank held by the Chief of Army (formerly the Chief of General Staff). The more senior rank of Lieutenant-General is reserved for when an Army officer holds the position of Chief of Defence Force, who commands all New Zealand's armed forces. This position is subject to rotation between the heads of the Air Force, Army, and Navy.

Pakistan

Major General in the Pakistan Army is equivalent to Rear Admiral in the Pakistan Navy and Air Vice Marshal in the Pakistan Air Force and is the lowest of the general officer ranks, ranking between Brigadier and Lieutenant General. The Pakistan Army has two female Major Generals.

Portugal

The rank of Major-General was reintroduced in the Portuguese Army, Air Force and National Republican Guard in 1999 in place of the former rank of brigadier. It was previously used in the Army, from 1862 to 1864. It is equivalent to Contra-Almirante (Rear-Admiral) in the Portuguese Navy.

Sweden

In Sweden the rank of Generalmajor (Genmj) is used in the Army, the Amphibious Corps and the Air Force. It is the equivalent to Konteramiral (Counter Admiral) in the navy. It is typically held by the Inspector Generals of the three service branches and the head of the Swedish Military Intelligence and Security Service.

Turkey

The Turkish Army and Turkish Air Force refer to the rank as Tümgeneral. The Turkish Navy equivalent is Tümamiral. The name is derived from tümen, the Turkish word for a military division (tümen itself is an older Turkish word meaning "10,000"). Thus, linguistically, it is similar to the French equivalent for a Major General, Général de division.

United Kingdom

Main article: Major-General (United Kingdom)

In the British Army and Royal Marines, Major-General ranks below Lieutenant-General and above Brigadier, and is thus the lowest of the general officer ranks, although always considered equivalent to Major-General in other countries. Divisions are usually commanded by Major-Generals and they also hold a variety of staff positions. The professional head of the Royal Marines currently holds the rank of Major-General.

From 1 April 1918 to 31 July 1919, the Royal Air Force maintained the rank of Major-General. It was superseded by the rank of Air Vice-Marshal on the following day.

Major-General is equivalent to Rear Admiral in the Royal Navy and Air Vice-Marshal in the Royal Air Force.

United States

Main article: Major general (United States)

In the United States Army, a major general commands a division of 10,000 to 20,000 soldiers and is capable of fully independent field operation.

Fictional references

See also

References

Footnotes

  1. ^ In countries that do not maintain the rank of Brigadier General, including much of Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth, Major General is the lowest of the General Officer ranks. Note, however, if the rank of Brigadier is used, although Brigadiers are not classed as "Generals", they are of equal rank to Brigadier Generals, and are still considered to be a 1 star rank. If neither of the ranks of Brigadier or Brigadier General (or an equivalent rank) are used, the Major General is still considered a 2 star rank, (independent of how many stars there actually are in the insignia), and that armed force simply has no 1 star rank.
  2. ^ Bowden & Tarbox, p 24. The authors write that FML (Field-Marshal-Lieutenant) is the same as Lieutenant-General and General-Feldwachtmeister the same as Major-General. But they list no equivalent rank to Brigadier-General. Nevertheless, the page cited is an excellent source of Austro-Hungarian ranks.

Categories: Military insignia | Military ranks | Military ranks of Australia | Military ranks of Canada | Military ranks of the British Army

 

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