Major (French pronunciation: [maʒɔʁ]) is the seniormost non-commissioned officer rank in France and other Francophone countries.
In the Armies of France of the Ancien Régime, the Major was the second of the colonel charged with the administrative works of the regiment, as well as the commandment of a strong influential position after the Governor and the Lieutenant of the King [fr].
The actual organization of the Armies instituted, first in the military hierarchy, a function (not a rank) of Major General for the ensemble of the branches.
However, the insignia of the Major was kept and is represented by 2 crossed anchors, symbols of equipments of the Fleet.
For the French Navy, the rank insignia is that of a Principal Master surmounted by two golden anchors.
The Majors of France are officially addressed and designated as follows: The same official designation applies to the subordinate ranks (except for subordinate ranks of major in the French Navy) of major, those of chief warrant officer (Adjudant-chef) (principal master in the French Navy) and warrant officer (Adjudant), particularly, specialized combatant units of the French Armed Forces.