Major Major had been born too late and too mediocre. Some men are born mediocre, some men achieve mediocrity, and some men have mediocrity thrust upon them. With Major Major it had been all three. Even among men lacking all distinction he inevitably stood out as a man lacking more distinction than all the rest, and people who met him were always impressed by how unimpressive he was.
Major Major's life is characterized by an overwhelming sense of mediocrity that shapes his existence. He embodies the concept that some individuals are simply born mediocre, while others stumble into it or have it forced upon them. In his case, he experiences all three facets of mediocrity, highlighting the futility and lack of achievement in his life.
Despite being surrounded by others who also lack distinct qualities, Major Major somehow manages to stand out, though not in a positive way. People who encounter him often leave with an impression of his remarkable unremarkability, underscoring the depth of his mediocrity and the ironies of his character in Heller's satirical narrative.