2007-07-17 12:22:42 · 9 answers · asked by Robert C 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
O.K. here's the real reason. The US military ranks were based on the British ranks in the middle 1770's The rank of Generals for the British Military was (from highest to lowest) General, Lieutenant General, Sergeant Major General, and Brigadier General. After the US won the war for Independence, the US Army re-established it's self and changed a few ranks to separate it from the British military. One of the changes was to drop the Sergeant portion of Sergeant Major General. Thus a Lieutenant General outranks a Major General.
2007-07-17 16:08:43 · answer #1 · answered by Odie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it particularly is the comparable reason a Lt Col outranks a significant. interior the three tiers of the officer rank equipment, lieutenant is often the 2nd optimum, exception being the army of course. business business enterprise Grade 0-3 Captain 0-2 1st Lieutenant 0-a million 2nd Lt. container Grade 0-6 Colonel 0.5 Lt. Colonel 0-4 significant Flag Grade 0-10 popular 0-9 Lt. popular 0-8 Maj Gen 0-7 BGen As you will discover the 2nd to optimum rank in each and each tier is assessed as a lieutenant. And lieutenant in certainty ability one decrease than the more advantageous.
2016-10-08 23:01:38 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because once upon a time,
It used to be: Sgt. Major General
Which is obviously lower than a Lt. General.
Then they decided to do away with the SGT part of the title,
And were left with Major General.
And it wasn't worth the effort and expense to change everyone rank and title, along with all the other paper work that would be needed,
To swap the position of the two ranks.
2007-07-17 16:23:03 · answer #3 · answered by jeeper_peeper321 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the top brass the ranks are counted backwards.
Brigadier* Major** Lieutenant*** General****
That's the way it is, always has been.
2007-07-17 13:27:49 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A Lt. General is commonly the second in command and the Major General is always subbordinate to the Lt. General.
2007-07-17 12:34:43 · answer #5 · answered by Antonio 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lieutenant is basically "In lieu of" an officer.
So apply that to generals, then a 3-star is "in lieu of" a general (4-star)
2007-07-17 15:08:25 · answer #6 · answered by biobuddha 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many times a Lt. General is an aide or adjudant to a full General (four stars). Or he could be second in command.
2007-07-17 12:57:18 · answer #7 · answered by Albannach 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because, if you've ever been associated with the military, you quickly find out that they never do anything that makes sense. The sooner you realize this fact, the better off you'll be.
2007-07-17 12:48:34 · answer #8 · answered by hannibal61577 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
just because! Don't make it complicated!
2007-07-17 12:26:27 · answer #9 · answered by D. M. 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋