Major

The major military rank was a grade for officers in both the army and the Starfighter Corps, utilized by different military forces throughout the history of the galaxy. Majors were capable of leading ground soldiers, starfighter squadrons, and intelligence units, alongside assisting those officers who ranked higher.

Within the Alliance to Restore the Republic, the rank of major was a part of the Alliance Military, specifically within the Alliance Army, the Rebel Alliance Starfighter Corps, the Rebel Alliance Intelligence Service, the Rebel Alliance Corps of Engineers, and the Rebel Alliance Special Forces. In the Alliance's hierarchy, the rank of major was positioned above the rank of captain but below that of a commander. On the rebel command insignia, it was indicated by three red pips placed on a square plaque, with two pips on the upper row and the third pip situated at the bottom center.

The armed forces of the First Order continued to make use of the major rank. Personnel in the Starfighter Corps held this rank, as did members of the First Order Army. A Starfighter Corps major had the authority to command their own squadron, while a major in the First Order's ground forces was able to function as the commanding officer of a full brigade.

During the Imperial Era, the Galactic Empire made extensive use of the rank of major across various branches. The Imperial Security Bureau incorporated the major rank into their structure, as did the Imperial Starfighter Corps, the ground troops of the Imperial Navy, and the Imperial Army. Majors could hold positions such as the overall Stormtrooper Commander on board an Imperial-class Star Destroyer, or serve as the commanding officer of a fighter wing or the wing's second-in-command.

The rank insignia plaque used to denote the rank varied significantly. One version consisted of six tiles, featuring four yellow and two red tiles on the left. This plaque was also used for generals, but the general rank was distinguished by the presence of two code cylinders, one on each side of their uniform, while majors had no such cylinders. A different version, used by officers in the Imperial Starfighter Corps, had eight tiles arranged in two rows, with red tiles on the top row and blue tiles on the bottom row. Majors in the Imperial Army might also display eight tiles in two rows, but these would be exclusively red.

Other majors wearing black Imperial uniforms used a rank plaque displaying four red tiles, while others, adhering to the standard uniform, had six tiles arranged in two rows. In these, each row had a single red tile on the right, with the rest being blue.

The New Republic, along with its New Republic Defense Force, continued to utilize the major rank within its military structure. The New Republic army incorporated the rank, with majors potentially serving as the commanding officer of a reconnaissance force contingent. In addition, a major could serve as a subordinate to a general within a battle group, and could command a group of two carriers. Majors also had the responsibility of briefing squadron pilots upon their return from missions.

The Resistance employed the major rank within its army, but also adapted it for use in its fleet forces. The Resistance rank badge displayed the army major rank with red symbols on a plated badge, and the same symbols in blue for naval majors. As with the Rebel Alliance, a major ranked higher than a captain but lower than a commander. A medical doctor in the Resistance Army was able to hold the rank of major.