How powerful is a general?

A general's power varies immensely by rank (1-star to 5-star) and role, from commanding divisions (Major General/2-star) or entire armies (General/4-star) to shaping national defense policy, advising presidents, and directing global operations, with the most powerful generals acting as Joint Chiefs, combatant commanders, or service chiefs, wielding vast strategic influence over personnel, resources, and international missions.

How powerful is a major general?

🗺️ In English-speaking countries, a major general usually commands a division of about 6,000 to 25,000 troops. ⚖️ A major general is above brigadier/brigadier general and below lieutenant general. 🚢 In the Commonwealth, major general is equivalent to rear admiral in the navy.

Who is higher than a general?

Above a four-star General in the U.S. military are five-star ranks like General of the Army, General of the Air Force, or Fleet Admiral, used in wartime, and even higher, rarely used "six-star" ranks like General of the Armies or Admiral of the Navy, but the civilian President of the United States is the ultimate Commander-in-Chief, outranking all military personnel. 

Has anyone been a 5 star general?

There have been five 5-star generals: George C. Marshall, Douglas MacArthur, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Henry H. Arnold, and Omar Bradley.

What are the 4 levels of generals?

General, lieutenant general, and major general are the first, second, and third grades of general officers in many armies. The United States Army, Air Force, and Marines have a fourth general officer grade, brigadier general (brigadier in the British Army).

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Is it hard to become an Army general?

Becoming a general essentially requires a lifelong commitment to the U.S. Army. This is an extremely prestigious role and only a select few ever receive this designation from the military. If you want to become a general, you need to be fully immersed in your career.

Who was the best U.S. general ever?

There's no single "greatest," but top contenders for greatest American general often include George Washington (founding a nation), Ulysses S. Grant (winning the Civil War), William Tecumseh Sherman (total war theorist), George S. Patton (brilliant WWII field commander), and Dwight D. Eisenhower (Supreme Allied Commander in WWII), each excelling in different eras and types of warfare, with many historians praising Washington and Grant for their foundational roles.
 

What's the highest military rank that still goes to battle?

General of the Armies of the United States, more commonly referred to as General of the Armies, is the highest military rank in the United States.

Has a woman ever been a General of the Army?

On June 11, 1970, Colonel Anna Mae Hays, Chief, Army Nurse Corps was promoted to the grade of brigadier general. She became the first woman in the history of the U.S. Army to attain general officer rank.

How long does it take to become a general?

General (Gen.) is a senior-level commissioned Officer with over 30 years of service and experience.

Which military rank is hardest to achieve?

• Brigadier General (1 Star) Division XO.
• Major General (2 Star) Division Commander.
• Lt. ...
• General (4 Star): Theater Commander.
• General of the Army: Eisenhower. ...
• These are Line Units, no Admin or Air Units.
• Keep in mind that many of these jobs and ranks are interchangeable, i.e., a SSGT might be a Platoon Sgt.

Who was the youngest U.S. general?

Pennypacker, I. R. (1917) Galusha Pennypacker: Brigadier General and Brevet Major General, United States Volunteers, Brigadier General and Brevet Major General, United States Army, America's youngest general . Philadelphia: Christopher Sower Co.

Who is the no. 1 army in the world?

The United States consistently ranks as the number one most powerful military in the world due to its unmatched defense budget, advanced technology, extensive global reach, and superior air and naval capabilities, followed closely by Russia and China in major global rankings like Global Firepower. While China has the largest active personnel, the U.S. leads in key assets like aircraft carriers, fighters, and overall technological dominance, with massive investments in cyber, space, and modern hardware.
 

How old are most major generals?

His opposite number, a general officer in the Army, cannot be so easily typed. Average age of Army generals is 51.

Who appoints generals?

Generals are nominated for the appointment by the president from any eligible officers holding the rank of brigadier general or above who meet the requirements for the position, with the advice of the secretary of defense, service secretary (secretary of the Army, secretary of the Navy, or secretary of the Air Force), ...

What is the rarest rank in the Army?

The rarest rank in the U.S. Army is arguably Chief Warrant Officer 5 (CW5), as it's the pinnacle of the specialized Warrant Officer Corps (making up <1% of warrant officers) and represents master-level expertise, with very few soldiers achieving it; however, historically, the five-star General of the Army, and even rarer, the special title General of the Armies of the United States, held by only a handful, are also exceptionally rare in a contemporary sense. 

Can a general see combat?

Everyone of any rank has the probability to see combat. We even had generals killed during Vietnam. It is almost a requirement for a service member to have seen combat before climbing the ranks that high. You'd be very lucky to find a General Officer or a Senior Enlisted who hasn't.

Who is the only 6 star general?

Gene Schwartz A 6-star general is a common, informal term for the rank of General of the Armies of the United States, the highest possible rank in the U.S. Army. This rank has been bestowed upon only three individuals: John J. Pershing, George Washington (posthumously), and Ulysses S. Grant (posthumously).

Which general never lost a battle?

Legendary Kosh Otaman of the Zaporozhian Sich. During his career, Sirko took part in 55 Cossack campaigns with reputation of never losing a battle. New sources put Sirko's record at over 65 victories in battles. Prominent 18th-century Russian general known for his legendary military career and undefeated status.

Who was the most feared US general in WWII?

General George S. Patton was widely considered the most feared U.S. general by the Germans in WWII due to his aggressive tactics, speedy armored assaults, and unpredictable leadership, earning him nicknames like "Old Blood and Guts" and causing German commanders to view him with great respect and apprehension. While other generals like Montgomery were also significant, Patton's audacious style and swift movements, especially in France and Germany, made him a legendary, if controversial, figure.
 

Who is statistically the greatest general of all time?

The result: "mathematics proves it", Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) is "the best general in history". The Emperor of the French came in "comfortably" first, ahead of Julius Caesar and the Duke of Wellington, one of his toughest opponents.

What is an Army general's salary?

In addition to basic pay, Generals may receive additional pay allowances for housing and food, as well as special incentive pay for hostile fire and dangerous duties. Including the most common pay allowances, the average total compensation for a General may range from $3,803.76 to $225,704.16 per year as of 2026.

How much do you have to weigh to be drafted?

Height: 58 – 80 in. Weight: 119 – 227 lb. If you enlist to become a Soldier and don't meet the physical requirements at MEPS, you may be eligible for the fitness track of a program called the Future Soldier Preparatory Course.

Who is the youngest 4 star general?

The youngest four-star general in U.S. Army history was Alfred Gruenther, promoted at age 53 in 1953, while Mark W. Clark was the youngest during World War II, becoming a four-star general at 48, but Gruenther's earlier promotion makes him the overall youngest in Army history, though Alexander Haig was also noted as youngest in 1973, highlighting different eras.