field grade

noun

military rank applying to mid-level army officers, as majors, lieutenant colonels, and colonels.

Origin of field grade

First recorded in 1945–50

The chronic shortage of black field grade officers in the 332d was the immediate cause of the change in Air Force policy.
Integration of the Armed Forces, 1940-1965 | Morris J. MacGregor, Jr.
By February 1948 the 332d had only thirteen of its forty-eight authorized field grade officers on duty.
Integration of the Armed Forces, 1940-1965 | Morris J. MacGregor, Jr.
Below the army general there are three general grade, three field grade, and four company grade officer ranks.
Area Handbook for Bulgaria | Eugene K. Keefe, Violeta D. Baluyut, William Giloane, Anne K. Long, James M. Moore, and Neda A. Walpole

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