Captain Black and Major Major

Captain Black and Major Major are antagonists whose conflict is less a personal feud than a symptom of the military's arbitrary power structures. Black, the squadron intelligence officer, craves the authority he believes he deserves; Major Major, a hapless and isolated figure, is thrust into the command Black covets. Their relationship is defined by Black's relentless campaign to delegitimize Major Major through the Glorious Loyalty Oath Crusade, a scheme that ultimately fails but leaves Major Major more isolated than before.

Origins of the Rivalry

When Major Duluth is killed over Perugia, Captain Black immediately assumes he is the logical successor. He is the squadron intelligence officer, which he interprets as proof of superior intellect, and he is not on combat status, meaning his life is not in danger and he could serve indefinitely. While Black sits in his office imagining his ascension, Colonel Cathcart acts, appointing Major Major instead. Black is flabbergasted and concludes that Major Major has outsmarted him. He mutters that "there was something funny going on" and, when others speculate on Major Major's resemblance to Henry Fonda, Black asserts that Major Major really is Henry Fonda. When they remark that Major Major is odd, Black announces that he is a Communist.

The Glorious Loyalty Oath Crusade

Black declares that "they're taking over everything" and vows to make every man who comes to his intelligence tent sign a loyalty oath—while refusing to let Major Major sign one even if he wants to. The crusade spreads rapidly. All enlisted men and officers on combat duty must sign a loyalty oath to get their map cases, a second to receive flak suits and parachutes, a third to ride to the airfield. They sign to get paid, to obtain PX supplies, to have their hair cut. Black introduces the pledge of allegiance and "The Star-Spangled Banner," escalating the number of oaths to stay ahead of imitators. He explains to his cohorts, "The important thing is to keep them pledging. It doesn't matter whether they mean it or not." The crusade is designed to trap those who have become disloyal since the last time they signed. Black pressures Captain Piltchard and Captain Wren to require loyalty oaths before combat missions, warning that it will "look mighty funny to the F.B.I." if they do not. Milo Minderbinder initially refuses to deprive Major Major of food, but Black visits him with a delegation and argues that the program is voluntary—the men do not have to sign, but Milo must starve them if they refuse. "It's just like Catch-22," Black says. Doc Daneeka also resists until Black threatens to have him transferred to the Pacific. Colonel Cathcart, prompted by Colonel Korn, sends Black a letter of total support.

Collapse and Aftermath

Black's next ambition is to turn Major Major out of his trailer. He deputizes Milo to speak to Major -- de Coverley, the majestic executive officer, whom Black reveres. When Major -- de Coverley returns from Rome with an injured eye, he strides into the mess hall, finds his path blocked by men signing loyalty oaths, and roars, "Gimme eat." Corporal Snark offers him a loyalty oath; Major -- de Coverley sweeps it away with fiery disdain and orders, "Give everybody eat!" The crusade ends instantly. Black is deeply disillusioned by this betrayal from someone in high place. He responds cheerfully that their purpose was accomplished: "to make everyone we don't like afraid and to alert people to the danger of Major Major." Since they were not going to let Major Major sign oaths anyway, it does not matter whether they have them. Black still keeps the letter of commendation from Colonel Cathcart to prove he was once a man of consequence. The crusade's legacy is that Major Major is left more isolated than before, his authority permanently undermined by Black's campaign of suspicion and exclusion.