<P> A major in the U.S. Army typically serves as a battalion executive officer (XO) or as the battalion operations officer (S3). A major can also serve as a primary staff officer for a regiment, brigade or task force in the areas concerning personnel, logistics, intelligence, and operations . A major will also be a staff officer / action officer on higher staffs and headquarters . In addition, majors command augmented companies in Combat Service and Service Support units . U.S. Army majors also command Special operations companies, such as U.S. Army Special Forces companies, Civil Affairs companies, Military Information Support Operations companies, and certain types of separate, numbered vice lettered, Military Intelligence companies . </P> <P> Selected majors in the United States Army attend the 10 - month Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, with a greater number attending satellite schools administered by Fort Leavenworth at Fort Belvoir, Fort Lee, Virginia, Redstone Arsenal, and Fort Gordon . Nine - hundred - sixty graduated from the Leavenworth course in 2009 (the largest class in Army history). </P> <P> The Continental Army mostly followed the organization and rank structure of the British Army . A regiment consisted of 8 companies with three officers (a captain, a lieutenant and ensign) and about 60 enlisted men each . The field grade officers of a regiment were the colonel, the lieutenant colonel and a major . The major was the regiment's third in command and, at least in theory, would command one of the regiment's two battalions if the regiment were divided for tactical purposes . </P> <P> During the American Civil War the Union Army continued to use the existing titles of rank and rank insignia established for the US Army . After the Southern states seceded and became the Confederate States of America, the Confederate Army retained the same titles of rank as its Union counterpart, but developed a new system of rank identification and insignia for its officers . </P>

Where does a major rank in the air force