Which US Army rank is harder to achieve, Sergeant Major of the Army or a Brigadier General?

Question

If you could choose to be one, which would you choose and why?

Thats funny because army recruiters told me its harder to become a Sergeant Major of the Army than a one star general, so im still confused why is that?

Its harder to become a one star general i mean my bad.

Answer 1

I'd say Sergeant Major of the Army (since there is only 1 of them)!

Answer 2

Your recruiter was wrong. There are more than one Brigadier General's; but only ONE person in the United States Army can achieve status of Sergeant Major of the Army. Those are pretty dismal odds for any enlisted person who desires to achieve that rank. There's pretty much a 99.9 percent chance it's NOT going to be you that's selected...or the guy next to you...or the other guy either.

Answer 3

Brigadier General one star Major General two stars Lieutenant General three stars General four stars the last living 5 star Bradley died in 1981 5 Stars are only awarded in war and the highest rank was given to Washington and Pershing So in Theory Washing was a 7 star and Pershing was a 6 as Congress has deemed that Washington will always be the USA highest General and the Highest rank eisenhower reached was 5 star in dec 1944 and Montgomery was a 5 star and outranked Eisenhower from May 1944 until 12 dec 1944 and never pulled rank

Answer 4

It is hard to be a Sergeant Major of the Army because there are many contending soldiers for only one position unlike a Brigadier General which is easier to get because this rank has many slots.

Answer 5

There are several brigader generals, but only one Sergeant Major of the Army. So the odds of becoming a brigader general is better than becoming Sergeant Major of the Army.

Answer 6

There is ONE Sergeant Major of the Army, we have more Generals than in World War II. The numbers speak for themselves.

Answer 7

I believe that being the top enlisted man in the US Army is the hardest rank to earn. Brigadier General (1 Star) is something that you inevitably earn if you, as a Colonel, are selected to a high ranking staff position in a Division.

Now, bo become an SMA, you have had to go to the Sergeant Majors Academy and have met their very high standards; even to get there, you have had to served as a Command Sergeand Major, which in itself is a very demanding position, usually as a brigade commander's right hand man.

Both of these positions require extensive service in the military and is not something you are given after serving... Oh, I dunno, 25-30 years in the military. Most of the men and women wearing these ranks are college majors with doctorate degrees and very academically seasoned individuals.

Answer 8

isn't there only one sergeant major of the army? That would make it much harder to get to, there are more than one brigadier generals.

Answer 9

As a Gunnery Sergeant in the Marines, I'd have to say the Sergeant Major. SNCO's make any branch of service work. Just ask us.

Gunny

Answer 10

Brigadier General. They have higher rankings in the Army. Why? Are you planning to join?