Major general

Major general (or major-general, short MG) is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. The disappearance of the "sergeant" in the title explains the apparently confusing phenomenon whereby a lieutenant general outranks a major general. (Though a major outranks a lieutenant, a lieutenant outranks a sergeant-major.)

In the Commonwealth and United States, it is a division commander's rank subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the rank of brigadier/brigadier general.

In some countries, including much of Eastern Europe, major general is the lowest of the general officer ranks, with no brigadier-grade rank above colonel.

In France, major general (major général) is an appointment, normally of corps general. The major general assists a chief of staff. There is one major general for the chief of staff of the armed forces as a whole, and one for each of the four armed forces chiefs (army, navy, air force and gendarmerie).

Major-general (United Kingdom)

Major general (Maj Gen), formerly more commonly major-general, is a 2 star rank in the British Army and Royal Marines. The rank was used by the Royal Air Force from 1918 to 1919. In the British Army, a division is commanded by a major general. In the Royal Marines the Commandant General holds the rank of major general.

A major general is superior to a brigadier but subordinate to lieutenant-general. The rank has a NATO rank code of OF-7, equivalent to a rear admiral in the Royal Navy or an air vice-marshal in the Royal Air Force or the air forces of many Commonwealth countries.

The rank insignia is the star (or 'pip') of the Order of the Bath, over a crossed sword and baton. Similar to that of the Deputy Chief Constable.

British Army usage

In the British Army, a division is commanded by a major general. However, many other appointments exist for major generals. The most senior officer of the Royal Army Chaplains Department, the chaplain-general, holds the rank of major general.

Major-general (Sri Lanka)

Major general (Maj Gen) is a senior rank in the Sri Lanka Army. The Director of the National Cadet Corps holds the rank of major general.

A major general is superior to a brigadier but subordinate to lieutenant general. The rank has a NATO rank code of OF-7, equivalent to a rear-admiral in the Sri Lanka Navy or an air vice-marshal in the Sri Lanka Air Force or the air forces of many Commonwealth countries. The rank insignia is a pip over a crossed sword and baton.

From 1958 to 1974, the Commander of the Army held the rank of Major General.

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