Just Curious...
2006-06-27 16:22:13 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
1 star - brigadeer general
2 stars - major general
3 stars - lieutenant general
4 stars - general
5 stars - general of the army.
4 stars is usually the highest rank attained in the US military. a 5 rank of 5 stars takes a special act. I believe Gen. Dwight Eisenhower was the last 5 star general in the US army. (there was some talk in the 1990's of giving Gen. Colin Powell and Gen. Norman Swartzkoff a fifth star - it hasn't happened though it still could, even post-retirement)
Generals are promoted by special appointment.
Usually an officer is well advanced in his/her career before obtaining the rank of General
BY THE WAY:
Here's a trivia for you
The youngest general ever in US military history was Gen. George Armstrong Custer. He was a brigadeer general at age 23. It is no longer possible to advance that high at such a young age.
2006-06-27 16:38:25 · answer #1 · answered by me 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A general can only be a general by appointment by the president. The stars as far as I've ever know just represent the level of general
* - Brigadier General
**- Major General
*** - Liuetenant General
**** - General (cant go any higher unless under certiant circumstances)
2006-06-27 23:28:22 · answer #2 · answered by David M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The stars represent their rank and more stars shows who is higher.
Of American armed services, only the marines do not have the rank of 5 stars
2006-06-27 23:27:27 · answer #3 · answered by athorgarak 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
abra kadabra, its like magic
2006-06-27 23:25:14 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋