<P> In the 17th century , sergeant majors appeared in individual regiments . These were field officers , third in command of their regiments ( after their colonels and lieutenant colonels ) , with a role similar to the older , army - level sergeant majors ( although obviously on a smaller scale ) . The older position became known as `` sergeant major general '' to distinguish it . Over time , the term sergeant was dropped from both titles , giving rise to the modern ranks of major and major general . </P>
<P> In the 17th century , sergeant majors appeared in individual regiments . These were field officers , third in command of their regiments ( after their colonels and lieutenant colonels ) , with a role similar to the older , army - level sergeant majors ( although obviously on a smaller scale ) . The older position became known as `` sergeant major general '' to distinguish it . Over time , the term sergeant was dropped from both titles , giving rise to the modern ranks of major and major general . </P>
when was the rank of sergeant major created
when was the rank of sergeant major created
the 17th century
the 17th century