NATO OF-3
The NATO code for the first field officer grade, typified by the US and British major and naval lieutenant commander.
Overview
OF-3 begins the field officer band: major in most land forces, lieutenant commander in most navies, squadron leader in the old Commonwealth air forces. Field officers, called field grade in the United States and staff officers historically, hold battalion and regimental staff appointments rather than command of companies. The NATO code lets a multinational division know instantly that a French commandant, a German Major, and a British major hold identical seniority. STANAG 2116 maintains the full table, updated as members change rank structures. The band matters for protocol, pay comparability studies, and joint manning documents.
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