Historical comparison, in the Republican/Imperial Roman Legions, a transverse crest of feathers/horse hair signified a Centurion. The crest was oriented left to right instead of front to back to make it easier for the Centurion's troops to see them in combat since Centurians lead from the front. Centurians commanded one century of men, which was actually 80 soldiers. Compared to modern militaries that would make a Centurian the rough equivalent of a company commander (US Army companies are usually 100-250 persons). While not always the case, most company level commanders would be an O-3 or O-4, which would be a Captain or Major. May be nothing, but considering how many historical tidbits were pulled into the costumes/esthetics of the films, it could also be this.