What is the highest rank in the united states military?

Question

general? captain?

Answer 1

Although Technically civilian, the Commander-In-Chief (otherwise known as the President of the United States of America) outranks anyone at anytime. The highest military rank currently available is 5-star General.

Answer 2

I've read a lot of the responses and most of the people don't really know what they are talking about.

Per the U.S. Constitution, The Commander-in-Chief (i.e. The President) is the highest ranking military member. The framers of the Constitution made sure that an elected official was always in charge of the Military so the will of the people were always met.

However, I think what you are really asking about are uniformed personnel. When there is not a "Declaration of War" issued by the U.S. Congress, a Four-Star General or Admiral is the highest rank a person can obtain. A Five-Star General or Admiral are only authorized during an active "Declaration of War." The reason Five-Stars are giving out during "Declared Wars" are so that no American is ever out ranked by a foreign army. The last time Congress made a "Declaration of War" was during World War II. The Korean War, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq ARE NOT "Declared Wars." They are conflicts in which military action was requested by the Commander-in-Chief (i.e. The President) and were approved by Congress. Congress does not like to make official "Declarations of War" because that gives the Commander-in-Chief (i.e. The Prestident) too much power without Congressional oversight thus the check and balances in government become unbanaced.

Answer 3

The highest rank in the military is officially the 5-star admiral or general rank (General of the Army or Fleet Admiral). The only catch is that the highest ranking is determined by promotion date (there would always be an even number of 5 star flag ranks if the force ever got large enough to have even one again).

In the current structure the Chairman of the JCS (currently USMC General Peter Pace but soon to be Navy Admiral Mike Mullen) is the highest "rank". I seperate rank because the CJCS is a position not a rank, but the CJCS does wear 4 stars, however there are many others that wear 4 stars. The highest rank is determined by the job.

The real question is in what chain, operational or policy - for policy it would be CJCS, operationally it would be the Area of Operations commander. The difference is that the CJCS can not order a unit to attack. Only approve strategy and policy. Mostly he deals with the financial side of the military.

The highest to ever be given out is General of the Armies to George Washington and John "Black Jack" Pershing - this was after their death and congress specified that Washington is the most senior and highest ranking of all time.

Answer 4

Highest military rank is a 4 star General or a 4 star Admiral. The 5 star rank is no longer used.

Answer 5

Today with the exception of Commander in Chief, A 4 star general is the highest rank largely attainable

Answer 6

Although the President is the Commander in Chief, he is a civilian, even when he is a former general. The highest US military rank in current use is General, commonly referred to as 4 Star General. General of the Army or, Admiral of the Fleet (5 star rank) is currently vacant and will remain so until someone distinguishes himself in combat and receives the fifth star as a reward. You should also know that the fourth star is generally attached to a position like Chief of Staff, or Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. It is not completely unknown for someone finish a term in a 4 star job and, rather than retire, take a three star job. Unless the former 4 star screwed up badly, he will usually retire later with his fourth star.

Although I have met one female 3 star, I am unaware of any women to make a fourth star, however I regard it as both inevitable, and probably overdue.

Answer 7

Currently it is Chairman of the Joint Chief's of Staff, who is a 4-star Marine General. Although there can be a 5 star general who is declared if the country is at war. (we are in a conflict, not a war) The highest rank of all time was General Pershin during World War 1, who was promoted, yet refused to wear the rank of 6 star general, or General of the Miltary. However, congress afterwords declared General George Washington to be the highest ranking general of all time.

Answer 8

each and all the 5 centers have diverse ranks. There are additionally enlisted ranks and officer ranks. The enlisted ranks are all diverse in each and all the centers. The officer ranks are a similar in the army, Air rigidity and Marines. The military and Coast safeguard have their very own officer ranks. in case you enter the militia once you're 18 you will possibly be a team sargent earlier you're 25, many human beings do it. A team sargent isn't a low rank,it extremely is an E-5 and it extremely is in the middle.

Answer 9

it's 4 star general. The president is not a member of the military, president is not a military rank. He is commander in chief as much as the queen rules England.

Answer 10

General of the Armies. also known as 6-star general. Has only been given to 2 people.