Major vs. Captain — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 14, 2024
A Major outranks a Captain in military hierarchies, typically taking on higher-level strategic roles, while Captains often lead companies or smaller units.
Difference Between Major and Captain
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
In military ranking systems, a Major is a field officer rank higher than a Captain, generally associated with greater responsibilities and strategic roles. On the other hand, Captains often command companies, batteries, or serve as staff officers under higher command, focusing more on tactical operations and direct leadership.
Majors are typically involved in operational planning and may serve as senior staff officers in larger units like brigades or divisions, bridging the gap between high-level strategy and ground-level tactics. Whereas Captains are usually more directly engaged with the day-to-day management and leadership of their units, playing a crucial role in the execution of military operations.
In terms of career progression, reaching the rank of Major requires more years of service and experience compared to that of a Captain. This progression reflects not just an increase in responsibility but also a shift towards more administrative and strategic duties. Meanwhile, Captains often gain extensive field experience, leading soldiers directly and are heavily involved in the training and welfare of their personnel.
The authority and duties of a Major often extend over multiple units or a whole battalion in certain contexts, requiring a broad oversight of operations and personnel management. Captains, on the other hand, have a more focused scope of command, with a deep involvement in the specifics of their unit's operations, logistics, and personnel.
Despite their differences, both ranks are crucial to the functioning of military forces, with Majors and Captains working closely together to ensure the effectiveness and readiness of their troops. The transition from Captain to Major marks a significant shift in a military officer's career, emphasizing leadership at a higher level.
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Comparison Chart
Rank
Above Captain, typically a field officer rank.
Below Major, often a company-grade officer.
Command Scope
Operational planning, senior staff officer roles.
Commands companies, batteries, or serves as staff officers.
Responsibilities
Focus on strategic planning and oversight of multiple units.
Direct leadership and management of a specific unit's operations.
Career Progression
Requires more years of service and experience.
Precedes Major, with focus on gaining field experience.
Authority Level
Broad oversight, may command a battalion or serve in brigade staff.
Direct command over a company, detailed operational control.
Compare with Definitions
Major
A military rank above Captain, involved in higher-level operational planning.
The Major was tasked with developing the operational strategy for the upcoming mission.
Captain
A military rank below Major, often commanding a company or equivalent unit.
The Captain led his company through rigorous training exercises.
Major
Represents a key leadership position in military hierarchy, bridging tactical and strategic levels.
The Major liaised between the battalion and brigade commanders.
Captain
Represents experienced leadership at the company level, focusing on tactical operations.
The Captain's expertise in urban combat was invaluable during the operation.
Major
Indicates a level of command and expertise in military operations and administration.
The promotion to Major marked his transition into higher-level command roles.
Captain
A position of authority within the military, commanding respect and responsibility.
The Captain's decisions were crucial to the success of their mission.
Major
A rank signifying advanced military leadership and strategic responsibilities.
The Major oversaw the training programs for multiple companies.
Captain
Serves as a key figure in the execution of military tactics and unit management.
The Captain coordinated the company's movements in the field exercise.
Major
An officer rank responsible for senior staff roles within larger units.
As a Major, she served as the executive officer of the battalion.
Captain
An officer rank with direct leadership and tactical responsibilities.
As Captain, she was responsible for the daily operational readiness of her unit.
Major
Major is a military rank of commissioned officer status, with corresponding ranks existing in many military forces throughout the world.
Captain
The officer in command of a ship, aircraft, or spacecraft.
Major
Important, serious, or significant
The use of drugs is a major problem
Captain
A precinct commander in a police or fire department, usually ranking above a lieutenant and below a chief.
Major
(of a scale) having intervals of a semitone between the third and fourth, and seventh and eighth degrees.
Captain
The designated leader of a team or crew in sports.
Major
(appended to a surname in public schools) indicating the elder of two brothers.
Captain
A commissioned rank in the US Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps that is above first lieutenant and below major.
Major
(of a term) occurring as the predicate in the conclusion of a categorical syllogism.
Captain
One who holds this rank or a similar rank in another military organization.
Major
A rank of officer in the army and the US air force, above captain and below lieutenant colonel.
Captain
A commissioned rank in the US Navy or Coast Guard that is above commander and below rear admiral.
Major
A major key, interval, or scale.
Captain
One who holds this rank or a similar rank in another military organization.
Major
A major organization or competition
The majors have swept up the smaller independent companies in licensing deals
It's not unreasonable to believe someone can win all four majors
The oil majors had a profit bonanza
Captain
A figure in the forefront; a leader
A captain of industry.
Major
A student's principal subject or course
Many students would ignore courses outside their major
Captain
A district official for a political party.
Major
A major term or premise.
Captain
A restaurant employee who is in charge of the waiters and usually attends to table seating.
Major
Short for major suit
South was anxious to mention his four-card major and bid one spade
Captain
A bell captain.
Major
A goal.
Captain
To act as captain of; command or direct
Captained the football team.
Major
Specialize in (a particular subject) at college or university
I was trying to decide if I should major in drama or English
Captain
A chief or leader.
Major
Greater than others in importance or rank
A major artist.
Captain
The person lawfully in command of a ship or other vessel.
The captain is the last man to leave a sinking ship.
Major
Great in scope or effect
A major improvement.
Captain
An army officer with a rank between the most senior grade of lieutenant and major.
Major
Great in number, size, or extent
The major portion of the population.
Captain
A naval officer with a rank between commander and commodore.
Major
Requiring great attention or concern; very serious
A major illness.
Captain
A commissioned officer in the United States Navy, Coast Guard, NOAA Corps, or PHS Corps of a grade superior to a commander and junior to a rear admiral (lower half). A captain is equal in grade or rank to a United States Army, Marine Corps, or Air Force colonel.
Major
Of or relating to the field of academic study in which a student specializes.
Captain
One of the athletes on a sports team who is designated to make decisions, and is allowed to speak for his team with a referee or official.
Major
Designating a scale or mode having half steps between the third and fourth and the seventh and eighth degrees.
Captain
The leader of a group of workers.
John Henry said to the captain, "A man ain't nothing but a man."
Major
Equivalent to the distance between the tonic note and the second or third or sixth or seventh degrees of a major scale or mode
A major interval.
Captain
The head boy of a school.
Major
Based on a major scale
A major key.
Captain
A maître d', a headwaiter.
Major
A commissioned rank in the US Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps that is above captain and below lieutenant colonel.
Captain
(southern US) An honorific title given to a prominent person. See colonel.
Major
One who holds this rank or a similar rank in another military organization.
Captain
(intransitive) To act as captain
Major
One that is superior in rank, importance, or ability
An oil-producing country considered as one of the majors.
Captain
(transitive) To exercise command of a ship, aircraft or sports team.
Major
A field of study chosen as an academic specialty.
Captain
A head, or chief officer
A trainband captain eke was he.
The Rhodian captain, relying on . . . the lightness of his vessel, passed, in open day, through all the guards.
Major
A student specializing in such studies
A linguistics major.
Captain
A military leader; a warrior.
Foremost captain of his time.
Major
A major premise.
Captain
To act as captain of; to lead.
Men who captained or accompanied the exodus from existing forms.
Major
A major term.
Captain
Chief; superior.
Captain jewes in the carcanet.
Major
A major scale, key, interval, or mode.
Captain
An officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
Major
A chord containing a major third between the first and second notes and a minor third between the second and third notes.
Captain
The naval officer in command of a military ship
Major
Majors Sports The major leagues.
Captain
A policeman in charge of a precinct
Major
To pursue academic studies in a major
Majoring in mathematics.
Captain
An officer who is licensed to command a merchant ship
Major
(attributive):
Captain
The leader of a group of people;
A captain of industry
Major
Greater in dignity, rank, importance, significance, or interest.
Captain
The pilot ins charge of an airship
Major
Greater in number, quantity, or extent.
The major part of the assembly
Captain
A diningroom attendant who is in charge of the waiters and the seating of customers
Major
Notable or conspicuous in effect or scope.
Captain
Be the captain of a sports team
Major
Prominent or significant in size, amount, or degree.
To earn some major cash
Major
(medicine) Involving great risk, serious, life-threatening.
To suffer from a major illness
Major
Of full legal age, having attained majority.
Major children
Major
(education) Of or relating to a subject of academic study chosen as a field of specialization.
Major
(music):
Major
Having intervals of a semitone between the third and fourth, and seventh and eighth degrees.
Major scale
Major
Equivalent to that between the tonic and another note of a major scale, and greater by a semitone than the corresponding minor interval.
Major third
Major
(postpositive) of a key Based on a major scale, tending to produce a bright or joyful effect.
Major
(campanology) Bell changes rung on eight bells.
Major
Indicating the elder of two brothers, appended to a surname in public schools.
Major
(logic)
Major
Occurring as the predicate in the conclusion of a categorical syllogism.
Major
Containing the major term in a categorical syllogism.
Major
(military ranks) A rank of officer in the army and the US air force, between captain and lieutenant colonel.
He used to be a major in the army.
Major
An officer in charge of a section of band instruments, used with a modifier.
Major
A person of legal age.
Major
(music):
Major
Ellipsis of major key.
Major
Ellipsis of major interval.
Major
Ellipsis of major scale.
Major
(campanology) A system of change-ringing using eight bells.
Major
A large, commercially successful company, especially a record label that is bigger than an indie.
Major
The principal subject or course of a student working toward a degree at a college or university.
Midway through his second year of college, he still hadn't chosen a major.
Major
A student at a college or university specializing on a given area of study.
She is a math major.
Major
(logic):
Major
Ellipsis of major term.
Major
Ellipsis of major premise.
Major
(bridge) major suit.
Major
(Canadian football) A touchdown, or major score.
Major
(Australian rules football) A goal.
Major
An elder brother (especially at a public school).
Major
(entomology) A large leaf-cutter ant that acts as a soldier, defending the nest.
Major
(obsolete) mayor and {{en}}.
Major
(intransitive) major in
Major
Greater in number, quantity, or extent; as, the major part of the assembly; the major part of the revenue; the major part of the territory.
Major
Of greater dignity; more important.
Major
Greater by a semitone, either in interval or in difference of pitch from another tone.
Major
An officer next in rank above a captain and next below a lieutenant colonel; the lowest field officer.
Major
A person of full age.
Major
That premise which contains the major term. It its the first proposition of a regular syllogism; as: No unholy person is qualified for happiness in heaven [the major]. Every man in his natural state is unholy [minor]. Therefore, no man in his natural state is qualified for happiness in heaven [conclusion or inference].
Major
A mayor.
Major
A commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines; below lieutenant colonel and above captain
Major
British statesman who was prime minister from 1990 until 1997 (born in 1943)
Major
A university student who is studying a particular field as the principal subject;
She is a linguistics major
Major
The principal field of study of a student at a university;
Her major is linguistics
Major
Have as one's principal field of study;
She is majoring in linguistics
Major
Of greater importance or stature or rank;
A major artist
A major role
Major highways
Major
Greater in scope or effect;
A major contribution
A major improvement
A major break with tradition
A major misunderstanding
Major
Greater in number or size or amount;
A major portion (a majority) of the population
Ursa Major
A major portion of the winnings
Major
Of the field of academic study in which one concentrates or specializes;
His major field was mathematics
Major
Of a scale or mode;
Major scales
The key of D major
Major
Of greater seriousness or danger;
A major earthquake
A major hurricane
A major illness
Major
Of full legal age;
Major children
Major
Of the elder of two boys with the same family name;
Jones major
Common Curiosities
What are the key responsibilities of a Captain?
Captains are primarily responsible for commanding a company, battery, or similar unit, overseeing its training, operational readiness, and welfare of its personnel.
What is the difference between a Major and a Captain?
A Major is a higher military rank than a Captain, with responsibilities often involving strategic planning and oversight, while Captains focus on tactical operations and direct unit leadership.
Can a Captain become a Major?
Yes, a Captain can be promoted to Major after meeting the necessary service time, performance, and educational requirements as determined by their military branch.
How does one become a Major?
Becoming a Major typically requires several years of military service, demonstrated leadership ability, and often completion of advanced military education beyond the requirements for a Captain.
What types of units do Majors command?
Majors may command specialized units or serve as senior staff officers in brigade or division-level commands, focusing on operational planning and coordination.
How does military structure affect the roles of Majors and Captains?
Military structure dictates that Majors work in more strategic and administrative capacities, while Captains are deeply involved in the day-to-day management and leadership of their units.
What skills are important for a Major?
Important skills for a Major include strategic thinking, leadership, administrative abilities, and a deep understanding of military operations and logistics.
What makes a good Captain?
A good Captain possesses strong leadership skills, tactical knowledge, the ability to manage and motivate troops, and a commitment to the mission and the welfare of their unit.
Is the role of a Major more strategic than that of a Captain?
Yes, Majors generally take on more strategic roles, focusing on planning and oversight, whereas Captains are more involved in tactical operations and direct leadership.
Do Majors and Captains work together?
Majors and Captains often work closely together, with Majors providing operational directives and support to Captains, who then implement these plans at the unit level.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
