Major (Sweden)

Major (Majuri in Finnish) is a military officers rank in Sweden and Finland, ranking above Kapten and below Överstelöjtnant. Swedish Kapten(s) are promoted to the rank after the completion of a 40 weeks course at the National Defense College.

Finnish Defence Forces rank of Majuri is comparable to Ranks of NATO armies officers as OF-3

1600 - 1700
The original title was Sergeant Major, which means the most senior servant to the　Överste. The "sergeant" part was later dropped. A major was typically responsible for the security of the regiment by assigning personnel from the regiment as guards. In addition, he was in charge of one of the eight companies in the regiment. When the regiment was organized in a divisioncolumn formation during battle, he was in charge of all pikers.

1743 - 1756
Establishment of the rank Second Major. Rank equal to Major, but salaried as Kapten.

1800
Establishment of the rank third Major.

Swedish Reform 1972

 * Holders of the rank Kapten and Löjtnant (with more than 11 years of service) were promoted to Major.
 * Holders of the rank Major were promoted to Överstelöjtnant.

Reform 1972 - Rank inflation phase I
Prior to 1972, military personnel were divided into three categories Underbefäl (non-commissioned officers), Underofficerare (warrant officers) and Officerare (commissioned officers). The reform established a four-career-path system with four categories as described below and carried out major promotions of most personnel below the rank Överstelöjtnant.

The Underbefäl category was split into two categories
 * gruppbefäl to include
 * korpral - former vicekorpral
 * furir - former korpral
 * överfurir - former furir
 * plutonsofficerare to include
 * sergeant - former överfurir
 * fanjunkare - former elderly överfurir and rustmästare

The Underofficer category was renamed kompaniofficerare to include
 * fänrik - former sergeant and fanjunkare with less than 3 years of service
 * löjtnant - former sergeant and fanjunkare with 3-7 years of service
 * kapten - former sergeant, fanjunkare with a minimum of 7 years of serviceand and förvaltare

The Officer category was renamed regementsofficerare to include
 * löjtnant - Löjtnant with less than 3 years of service and former fänrik
 * kapten - kapten with less than 11 years of service and former Löjtnant with 3-11 years of service
 * major - former kapten and löjtnant with a minimum of 11 years of service
 * överstelöjtnant - överstelöjtnant and former major
 * higher ranks

Reform 1983 - Rank inflation phase II
All categories were merged into one professional officer category with the lowest rank set to fänrik. Furir, överfurir, sergeant and fanjunkare were removed as a professional ranks. Holders of the rank fanjunkare were promoted to löjtnant and the rest to fänrik.

Finland
During peacetime, a majuri is a staff officer or battalion commander. The rank requires the completion of a senior staff officer course.

It is also possible for reservists to obtain the reserve rank of majuri. This is however, quite rare and requires active participation in national defence.