chances of becoming a general?

Question

what are my chances of becoming a LT.General if i go to west point

Answer 1

A Lieutenant General (3 stars) is a very senior and select rank (about 1 LTG for every 3,000 officers) and most often is an Infantry, Armor, or Field Artillary and sometimes Special Forces (although that is changing). So you have the best shot by being in a "combat arms" job. When you get commissioned as a 2nd LT you will be assigned a year group. You have to work your way up through Major S3/XO (about 60% of a year group), Battalion Command (about 75% of the 60% or roughly 40% of the year group) then Brigade Command (about one third of the previous 40% or roughly 15% of a year group) and then 1 star (about 1/3rd of the 15%, or about 5% of a year group) and then 2 star (about half of the 5% or 2%) and then three star (about 40% of the 2 stars or 1% of your year group). So roughly you have a 1 in 5000 shot at becoming a three star. Hope this helps - Great Question!

Answer 2

Back "in the day" West Point had a 90% track record for its graduates becoming Captains and above. OCS and ROTC we're far behind these curves with a 15-25% track record at best.

This has changed dramatically however as there is no difference seen in the level of competence anymore. Many of the better performing Officers come from a variety of commissioning systems and have distinguished themselves based on what they do not where they graduated from.

Answer 3

If you can get into West Point you have an excellent start.

Nobody gets over the rank of colonel without political influence. So at West point you need to start your campaign for promotion right then. You have to meet the children of influential people and get to meet and impress those people. Stay in the political circles and gain favor with successive groups but not become attached to them as power shifts and different groups cycle in and out. You have to remain above it all.

Unless you are a minority and there are no other cantidates which have political influence you have zero chance of promotion no matter how well you soldier unless you have political allies to push your promotions through once above the rank of lt colonel.

I personally think that needs to stop. Political generals have cost us tens of thousands of lives. More compantent leaders are bypassed to promote those with connections but less ability. In the Mexican American war the two American forces were on the verge of fighting each other for example. Each wanted the positive political fallout which would come from success in the war. Had they been close enough to shoot at each other at one point they might have.

In WW I Pershing prevented Americans from being divided up into French and British led units. Other than that he was a political general. Eisenhower as well. He was a politiician and his decisions would have often been disasterous if not for Bradley saving his bacon time after time. That and having Patton to unleash whenever their politics got them into a mess.

That is the exception. During times of major war non--politicals can sometimes gain high rank. Usually temporary rank as Custer did. However sometimes during a major war like WW II or the civil war deeds can be done that overcome political indifference and get a soldier introduced to the political crowd. That doesn't win the promotion. Favor from the politicos does. It just gets a soldier introduced to the people who can get him promoted.

Answer 4

Your chances are pretty slim. Just look at a bunch of colonels. They know that next step is a huge winnowing spot. And the ring-knocker's club has had less impact lately than in previous times. But though only a tiny percent of officers get to 3-star rank, the chances are better slim than the none you get for not trying. Good luck!

Answer 5

To make Lt. General is totally up to you, how you choose your assignements, how clean your record is, who you know, your reputation on getting results, your abilities in accounting, etc. Really, you have a better chance at getting hit with lightening. But West Point isn't a bad start.

Answer 6

In my service experience, that is the ONLY way of becoming an O9. Still, you would have greater chances of becoming a member of the House of Representatives. There are that few O9s out there. Plus, at that rank, you are merely a politician anyway.

Answer 7

At one time, the US Army's officer corps was dominated by West Pointers(aka Hudson High). But in recent years, many Army Chiefs of Staff are ROTC and OCS grads. West Point provides a great education, but once you are commissioned, it's up to you what you do with your career-

George C, Marshall-5-Star- Chief of Staff in WWII and Secretary of State- VMI(BTW, my alma mater)
Colin Powell- Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and Secretary of State- ROTC via City College of New York
Gen. Shalikashvili- Chairman of the Joint Chiefs- OCS(prior enlisted)
Hugh Shelton- Chairman of the Joint Chiefs OCS(?)

Go to the US Army website, look up the senior leadership, and see where they went to school....

Answer 8

Military academy grads have the advantage. It also takes the good indorsement of senior officers along the way in your career and outstanding performance reports you have to earn as well as furthering your education after the academy. Indivudual distinguishments are a must. As you become a field grade officer, it will help to find congressmen and senators to indorse your promotions (known as guardian angels) to brigadier and above.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

its a good start and your chances will be better with west point under your belt.