<P> While Union officers continued to wear their rank insignia on their shoulder straps, Confederate officers wore their rank insignia on the collar (one, two, or three horizontal gold bars for lieutenants and captains; one, two, or three gold stars for field grade officers; and three gold stars surrounded by a wreath for all general officers), as well as rows of gold lace forming an Austrian knot pattern on each sleeve . The number of rows of gold lace increased with the rank of the officer . </P> <P> In the late 1800s the US Army changed from the traditional 10 company regiment to one of 12 companies organized into three four company battalions, each commanded by a major . Prior to World War II, battalion commanders became lieutenant colonels . The basic regimental organization remained standard until after the Korean War when regiments with organic battalions were no longer used as tactical units . Battalions attached to brigades replaced the regiment . Battalions commanded by lieutenant colonels became the US Army's basic tactical unit . As a result, there were only a limited number of command positions for majors although Medical, Special Forces and Aviation companies are usually commanded by majors . </P> <P> A major in the Air Force typically has duties as a senior staff officer at the squadron and wing level . In flying squadrons majors are generally flight commanders or assistant directors of operations . In the mission support and maintenance groups majors may occasionally be squadron commanders . In the medical corps, a major may be the head of a clinic or flight . </P> <P> Many police agencies in the United States use the rank of major for officers in senior administrative and supervisory positions . The position is most often found in larger agencies, where the number of sworn personnel requires an expanded and complex rank structure . The term "major" is not always used in these scenarios, and some police departments prefer to use titles such as "Deputy Chief," "Commander," or similar, retaining only the rank insignia . However, there are several agencies, particularly state police, which prefer to use both the insignia and title . The rank may also be used in conjunction with, rather than instead of, a descriptive title, such as in the example, "Major John Smith, Patrol Commander". </P>

Is major a high rank in the army