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Military star ranking
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Military star ranking is military terminology, used in mainly English speaking countries, to describe general and flag officers. Within NATO's armed forces, the stars are equal to OF-6–10.[1]
Star ranking
[edit]One-star
[edit]A one-star rank is usually the lowest ranking general or flag officer.[2] In many Commonwealth countries, the one-star army rank of Brigadier is considered the highest field officer rank.[3]
Two-star
[edit]A two-star rank is usually the second lowest ranking general or flag officer.[4]
Three-star
[edit]A three-star rank is usually the second or third highest general or flag officer.[5]
Four-star
[edit]A four-star rank is usually the highest or second highest ranking general or flag officer.[6]
Five-star
[edit]A five-star rank is usually the highest ranking general or flag officer.[7] This rank is usually a field marshal, general of the army, admiral of the fleet or marshal of the air force.
Proposed six-star
[edit]In the United States Armed Forces, a six-star rank is a proposed rank immediately superior to a five-star rank, possibly to be worn by the General of the Armies or Admiral of the Navy. This proposal has not been officially recognized by the military or Congress.
List of countries
[edit]| Star rank | Five-star rank | Four-star rank | Three-star rank | Two-star rank | One-star rank | Ref.[a] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Australian Army
|
|
|
|
|
[8] [9] | |
| General | Lieutenant general | Major general | Brigadier | |||
 Royal Australian Navy
|
|
|
|
|
[8] [9] | |
| Admiral | Vice admiral | Rear admiral | Commodore | |||
 Royal Australian Air Force
|
|
|
|
|
[8] [9] | |
| Air chief marshal | Air marshal | Air vice-marshal | Air commodore | |||
| Star rank | Five-star rank | Four-star rank | Three-star rank | Two-star rank | One-star rank | Ref.[a] |
 Bangladesh Army
|
|
|
|
|
[10] – | |
| General জেনারেল |
Lieutenant general লেফটেন্যান্ট জেনারেল |
Major general মেজর জেনারেল |
Brigadier general ব্রিগেডিয়ার জেনারেল | |||
 Bangladesh Navy
|
 _OF-9.svg){kind=small}
|
 _OF-8.svg){kind=small}
|
 _OF-7.svg){kind=small}
|
|
[10] [11] | |
| Admiral | Vice admiral | Rear admiral | Commodore | |||
 Bangladesh Air Force
|
|
|
|
|
[10] [12] | |
| Air chief marshal | Air marshal | Air vice-marshal | Air commodore | |||
| Star rank | Five-star rank | Four-star rank | Three-star rank | Two-star rank | One-star rank | Ref.[a] |
 Pakistan Army
|
|
|
|
|
|
[13] – |
| Field marshal فیلڈ مارشل |
General جنرل |
Lieutenant general لیفٹیننٹ جنرل |
Major general میجر جنرل |
Brigadier بریگیڈیئر | ||
 Pakistan Navy
|
|
|
|
|
[13] – | |
| Admiral ایڈمرل |
Vice admiral وائس ایڈمرل |
Rear admiral بحریہ کا امیر |
Commodore کموڈور | |||
 Pakistan Air Force
|
|
|
|
|
[13] – | |
| Air chief marshal | Air marshal | Air vice marshal | Air commodore | |||
| Star rank | Five-star rank | Four-star rank | Three-star rank | Two-star rank | One-star rank | Ref.[a] |
 Sri Lanka Army
|
|
|
|
|
|
[14] [15] |
| Field marshal | General | Lieutenant general | Major general | Brigadier | ||
 Sri Lanka Navy
|
|
|
|
_OF-6.svg)
|
[14] [15] | |
| Admiral | Vice admiral | Rear admiral | Commodore | |||
 Sri Lanka Air Force
|
|
|
|
|
[14] [15] | |
| Air Chief Marshal | Air Marshal | Air Vice-Marshal | Air Commodore | |||
| Star rank | Five-star rank | Four-star rank | Three-star rank | Two-star rank | One-star rank | Ref.[a] |
 British Army
|
|
|
|
|
|
[3] – |
| Field marshal | General | Lieutenant-general | Major-general | Brigadier | ||
 Royal Navy
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
.svg) 
|
[3] [16] |
| Admiral of the Fleet | Admiral | Vice admiral | Rear admiral | Commodore | ||
 Royal Air Force
|
.svg) 
|
.svg) 
|
|
|
|
[3] [17] |
| Marshal of the RAF | Air chief marshal | Air marshal | Air vice-marshal | Air commodore | ||
| Star rank | Five-star rank | Four-star rank | Three-star rank | Two-star rank | One-star rank | Ref.[a] |
 United States Army
|
.svg)
|
.svg)
|
.svg)
|
.svg)
|
.svg)
|
[18] [19] |
| General of the Army | General | Lieutenant general | Major general | Brigadier general | ||
 United States Navy
|
|
|
|
|
|
[18] [19] |
 -O12.svg)
|
 -O11.svg)
|
 -O10.svg)
|
 -O9.svg)
|
 -O8.svg)
| ||
| Fleet admiral | Admiral | Vice admiral | Rear admiral | Rear admiral (lower half) | ||
 United States Air Force
|
|
|
|
|
|
[18] [19] |
| General of the Air Force | General | Lieutenant general | Major general | Brigadier general |
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Extract of STANAG 2116 (Ed. 3) (PDF). Vedbaek, Denmark: Chief of the Royal Danish Navy. October 1975. p. 2. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 October 2022.
- ^ "One-star". lexico.com. Oxford University Press. Archived from the original on February 24, 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Rank structure". army.mod.uk. British Army. Archived from the original on 6 April 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
- ^ "Two-star". lexico.com. Oxford University Press. Archived from the original on March 24, 2022. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
- ^ "Three-star". lexico.com. Oxford University Press. Archived from the original on March 1, 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
- ^ "Four-star". lexico.com. Oxford University Press. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
- ^ "Five-star". lexico.com. Oxford University Press. Archived from the original on March 24, 2022. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
- ^ a b c "Commissioned Officer Ranks". army.gov.au. Australian Army. Archived from the original on 15 March 2022. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
- ^ a b c "Badges of rank" (PDF). navy.gov.au. Royal Australian Navy. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 August 2022. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
- ^ a b c "Ranks & insignia". joinbangladesharmy.army.mil.bd. Archived from the original on 24 September 2020. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
- ^ "Rank of Navy & Equivalent Rank". navy.mil.bd. Bangladesh Navy. Archived from the original on 27 June 2017. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
- ^ "Officer's ranks". joinbangladeshairforce.mil.bd. Archived from the original on 19 February 2020. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
- ^ a b c "Inter Service Ranks". paf.gov.pk. Pakistan Air Force Official Website. Archived from the original on 26 August 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
- ^ a b c "Dress Regulation PDF – Part I" (PDF). army.lk. Sri Lanka Army. January 2019. p. 11-1. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 April 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
- ^ "RAF Ranks". raf.mod.uk/. Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 6 October 2021. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
- ^ a b c "Navy Officer Ranks". military.com. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
- ^ a b c "U.S. Military Rank Insignia". defense.gov. Department of Defense. Archived from the original on 13 January 2022. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
| By star ranks | |
|---|---|
| By titles |
|
Military star ranking
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Origins and Development
Early Use in American Military
The origins of star-based rank insignia in the American military trace back to the Revolutionary War era within the Continental Army. On June 18, 1780, General George Washington issued general orders from his headquarters in New Jersey, establishing uniform regulations that prescribed silver stars on epaulettes to denote high-ranking officers: one star for brigadier generals and two stars for major generals.[9] These orders aimed to standardize appearance across the army, drawing from European traditions but adapted to the needs of the fledgling force.[10] George Washington, as commander-in-chief, significantly influenced these early uniform standards, emphasizing the role of attire in conveying authority, discipline, and national identity to both troops and the public. His directives built on prior efforts, such as the 1779 uniform resolutions, to foster cohesion amid resource shortages and diverse colonial militias.[11] By 1782, these regulations were formalized in the army's official dress code, solidifying stars as a distinctive marker for general officers. The system evolved through subsequent conflicts, maintaining continuity during the War of 1812 under 1813 uniform regulations that retained epaulette stars for generals amid expanded forces. By the 1832 Army uniform regulations, issued under President Andrew Jackson's administration, stars were specified as embroidered silver devices on epaulettes: one for brigadier generals, two for major generals, and three for the major general commanding the army, enhancing visibility and formality.[4] These changes reflected growing professionalization, with stars now integrated into branch-colored wool padding. Following the Civil War, the 1866 congressional act codified distinctions among general officer ranks by creating the new grade of General of the Army, awarded to Ulysses S. Grant, who wore four silver stars on light blue shoulder boards—the first such use of four stars to signify the highest peacetime command. This post-war standardization on shoulder boards, rather than epaulettes, marked a shift toward practical field wear while preserving the star count as the core identifier for rank hierarchy.Evolution and International Adoption
The star ranking system, initially developed in the United States, gained international traction during the early 20th century amid global conflicts that necessitated closer military coordination among allies. During World War I, the U.S. Army underwent significant reorganization following the National Defense Act of 1916, which expanded the peacetime strength of the Regular Army to 175,000 men and authorized a wartime force of up to 500,000, including an increase in general officer positions to command the rapidly mobilizing forces.[12] This expansion relied on the established star insignia to denote general ranks, aiding interoperability with Allied armies in Europe, where U.S. divisions integrated into British and French commands under leaders like General John J. Pershing. The system's clarity in denoting hierarchy influenced joint operations, as Allied forces recognized the U.S. star-based structure for practical command purposes during the war.[13] World War II further accelerated the global spread of star ranking concepts through extensive Allied collaboration. In response to the need for equivalent high-level authority in multinational commands, the U.S. Congress created the five-star rank of General of the Army via Public Law 482 on December 14, 1944, promoting leaders such as George C. Marshall, Douglas MacArthur, and Dwight D. Eisenhower to ensure parity with British field marshals like Bernard Montgomery in theaters like Europe and the Pacific.[5] This wartime measure, applied to Eisenhower as Supreme Allied Commander, highlighted the star system's role in bridging rank equivalencies, with British forces adopting a de facto recognition of U.S. stars within combined headquarters despite their traditional pip-and-crown insignia. The joint efforts fostered informal adoption of similar high-rank notations in Allied planning, emphasizing unified command structures over national variations.[14] Post-war decolonization and alliances solidified the system's international footprint. Upon gaining independence in 1946, the Philippines established its Armed Forces, maintaining strong US military influence including organizational continuity with pre-independence forces trained under American oversight.[15] This post-colonial model used stars to denote general officers from brigadier general (one star) upward, reflecting the system's practicality for a newly sovereign military. In the Cold War era, NATO's standardization initiatives promoted broader alignment. The alliance's early efforts in the 1950s led to the development of common codes for military personnel grades (OF-6 to OF-10 for general officers), formalized through STANAG 2116 (first edition approximately 1971), facilitating interoperability among member states and encouraging the use of comparable insignia like multiple stars for senior ranks in armies such as those of Canada, Turkey, and several European nations. This agreement, building on wartime precedents, ensured that star systems or equivalents could be readily equated in multinational operations, enhancing alliance cohesion without mandating uniform designs.Core Rank Designations
One-star rank
The one-star rank represents the lowest tier of general or flag officer grades in the United States military, serving as the entry point into senior command positions. In the Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force, this rank is titled brigadier general (pay grade O-7). In the Navy and Coast Guard, it is designated as rear admiral (lower half), abbreviated RDML. These titles reflect the rank's role as the foundational level of generalship, bridging field-grade officers and higher flag ranks.[16] Brigadier generals in the Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force typically command brigades consisting of 3,000 to 5,000 personnel, oversee military districts, or act as deputy commanders in division-level operations involving up to 15,000 troops. In the naval services, rear admirals (lower half) lead small flotillas of ships such as destroyers, submarine squadrons, or aviation groups, ensuring operational coordination and readiness for fleet tasks. This rank aligns with the NATO officer grade code OF-6, facilitating interoperability among allied forces in joint commands. Responsibilities emphasize tactical leadership, staff oversight, and preparation for escalation to broader strategic roles.[17][18][19] The insignia for the one-star rank consists of a single silver, five-pointed star, worn on shoulder boards, collars, and headgear across all branches. In the Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, the star measures 1 inch (2.54 cm) in diameter on mess dress shoulder knots and full-size beret flashes, with smaller variants (3/4 inch or 5/8 inch) for medium and miniature applications on other uniforms; it is centered with one point upward. Naval and Coast Guard officers wear an embroidered silver star on gold-lace shoulder boards, positioned between a fouled anchor and the board's squared end, with soft boards scaled to three-quarters the hard-board size. These designs ensure visibility and uniformity in denoting flag officer status.[20][21] Historically, the one-star rank was formalized as the entry-level general officer grade in U.S. military regulations following the Civil War, with 1866 legislation and orders standardizing the structure and insignia for permanent peacetime use after wartime expansions. This established brigadier general as a statutory rank, distinct from temporary volunteer appointments, and introduced consistent star-based distinctions for all general officers.[22]Two-star rank
The two-star rank represents a mid-level general or flag officer position in the United States Armed Forces, serving as a key leadership tier between one-star and higher commands.[23] In the Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force, this rank is titled major general, while in the Navy and Coast Guard, it is designated rear admiral (upper half).[23] This rank corresponds to the NATO officer grade code OF-7, facilitating interoperability among allied forces.[24] Officers at the two-star level typically assume command of divisions in the Army and Marine Corps, wings in the Air Force, or squadrons and task groups such as amphibious or carrier strike groups in the Navy and Coast Guard.[23][25] They may also serve as deputy commanders or principal staff officers in larger joint or service-specific organizations, overseeing tactical operations at a scale that bridges brigade-level execution with corps-level strategy.[23] Advancement to this rank generally requires prior service as a one-star officer, ensuring a foundation in senior command roles.[23] The insignia for a two-star rank consists of two silver stars arranged vertically, worn on the collar of uniforms across all services. In the Navy and Coast Guard, these silver stars are worn on gold-lace shoulder boards, reflecting historical and material distinctions in naval tradition.[21] Promotion to the two-star rank, designated paygrade O-8, is highly competitive and occurs through selection by statutory promotion boards, followed by presidential nomination and Senate confirmation.[23][26] Candidates typically require 20-25 years of commissioned service, evaluated on performance, leadership potential, and the needs of the service, with statutory limits capping the total number of active-duty two-star officers at 240 across all branches.[23][27]Three-star rank
The three-star rank represents a senior operational level in the U.S. military hierarchy, typically held by officers who oversee large-scale commands and contribute to strategic planning. This rank, designated as pay grade O-9, is equivalent to the NATO officer grade code OF-8, facilitating interoperability among allied forces. Officers at this level build upon their prior experience as two-star major generals or rear admirals, transitioning from divisional or fleet-level tactics to broader corps and joint operational responsibilities.[28] In the Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force, the title is lieutenant general, while in the Navy and Coast Guard, it is vice admiral. These officers command corps-sized units of 20,000 to 45,000 personnel in the Army, numbered fleets or operational commands in the Navy, and theater air forces in the Air Force, managing complex operations that involve resource allocation, joint exercises, and national security contributions. For instance, a lieutenant general might lead a corps in multinational operations, while a vice admiral could direct a numbered fleet responsible for regional maritime security.[29][30][31][32] The insignia for three-star ranks consists of three silver stars arranged in a triangular formation, worn on the shoulder boards of uniforms or collar devices, with variations by service branch for placement and subdued versions in combat settings. During wartime expansions, such as in the 1940s amid World War II, the U.S. military temporarily increased the number of three-star positions to address surging operational demands, leading to a significant rise in authorized lieutenant generals and vice admirals compared to peacetime limits.[28][33][34] Appointment to three-star rank requires presidential nomination and Senate confirmation under 10 U.S.C. §§ 601 and 624, ensuring oversight for these high-responsibility positions, with approximately 132 active-duty O-9 officers as of September 2023 across services. Terms of service are generally limited to 3 to 4 years to promote rotation and fresh perspectives, after which officers may retire or revert to lower grades unless extended by law.[35][36]Four-star rank
The four-star rank represents the highest peacetime grade for general and flag officers in the United States Armed Forces, denoted as general in the Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force, and admiral in the Navy and Coast Guard. This rank is symbolized by four silver stars arranged in a diamond configuration on the shoulder insignia and collar devices.[33] It corresponds to the NATO officer rank code OF-9, facilitating interoperability among allied forces. Four-star officers hold pivotal leadership roles, including commanding the eleven unified combatant commands that oversee global military operations, serving as the chiefs of their respective service branches, or leading multinational NATO commands such as Supreme Allied Commander Europe.[37] These positions demand strategic oversight of vast resources, joint force integration, and advisory counsel to the President and Secretary of Defense on national security matters.[38] Promotion to this rank typically follows distinguished service as a three-star lieutenant general or vice admiral. By law, four-star officers must retire after 40 years of active commissioned service, unless deferred by the President, and no later than age 64, extendable to 66 for those in critical roles with approval.[](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:10%20section:1253%20edition:prelim) Notable examples include the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who serves as the principal military advisor to civilian leadership while holding this rank. The number of four-star billets has seen a modest increase since the 1980s, rising from 36 in 1965 to 37 active positions as of 2023. In May 2025, a directive was issued to reduce four-star positions by at least 20% as part of military reforms, potentially lowering the number to around 30, though as of November 2025, the active count remains 37 pending implementation.[39][40]Five-star rank
The five-star rank represents the pinnacle of commissioned officer authority in the United States military, reserved exclusively for wartime leadership to ensure parity with allied commanders of equivalent stature. Established as a temporary measure during World War II, it transcends the standard four-star general or admiral roles, which serve as the highest peacetime equivalents, by granting unparalleled strategic oversight in global conflicts. This rank has been invoked only nine times in U.S. history, underscoring its exceptional nature and dormancy since the last appointment in 1950.[5] In the Army and Air Force, the title is General of the Army or General of the Air Force, while the Navy counterpart is Fleet Admiral. These designations were formalized to lead major theaters of operation, such as the European and Pacific campaigns, where holders exercised supreme allied command over multinational forces. Responsibilities include directing coalition strategies, resource allocation across services, and high-level diplomatic-military coordination, often without the constraints of routine bureaucratic oversight. Unlike lower ranks, five-star appointments carry no mandatory retirement age, functioning as lifetime statuses that permit continued advisory roles post-active duty, with office space provided in the Pentagon until the officer's death.[41][42] The insignia features five silver stars, each 3/8 inch in diameter, arranged in a pentagonal formation with touching points, worn on epaulets and collar devices. This design was specified in Army Regulation 600-35 following the rank's creation and applies uniformly across branches, symbolizing unity and elevation above four-star arrangements. The rank originated with Public Law 78-482, enacted on December 14, 1944, to honor and empower World War II leaders like Douglas MacArthur amid escalating Allied needs for synchronized command structures. Later made permanent by Public Law 79-333 in 1946, it allowed for post-war retention but has seen no new activations.[5][43] Only nine officers have held the five-star rank: five in the Army (George C. Marshall, appointed December 16, 1944; Douglas MacArthur, December 18, 1944; Dwight D. Eisenhower, December 20, 1944; Omar N. Bradley, September 22, 1950) and one who transitioned to General of the Air Force (Henry H. Arnold, December 21, 1944), alongside four Navy Fleet Admirals (William D. Leahy, December 15, 1944; Ernest J. King, December 17, 1944; Chester W. Nimitz, December 19, 1944; William F. Halsey Jr., December 11, 1945). These appointments occurred primarily to match the seniority of British field marshals and other Allied counterparts during the war. The rank has remained dormant since Bradley's promotion, with the last five-star officer, Bradley, passing away on April 8, 1981, after which no further elevations have been authorized.[5][41][14]Exceptional Ranks
Six-star rank
The six-star rank in the U.S. military is embodied by the title General of the Armies of the United States, a unique grade superior to the five-star rank of General of the Army and reserved for exceptional wartime leadership.[5] This rank has no formal establishment as a standard grade with defined insignia, allowing recipients to determine their own shoulder boards or other markers of distinction.[44] Historically, the rank was first conferred on General John J. Pershing on September 3, 1919, via Public Law 66-45, to recognize his command of the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I; Pershing retained the four-star insignia of a general but was accorded precedence above all other officers. It was next awarded posthumously to George Washington on October 19, 1976, through Public Law 94-479, as part of the American bicentennial celebrations, explicitly ranking him senior to all other U.S. military officers, past and present. Most recently, Ulysses S. Grant received the posthumous promotion to General of the Armies on December 23, 2022, under Section 584 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117-263), honoring his role in preserving the Union during the Civil War and aligning his seniority with Washington and Pershing. Although the rank remains honorary and has not been activated for living officers since Pershing, occasional suggestions have surfaced to revive or formalize a six-star designation for commanders in major modern conflicts, including discussions in the post-9/11 era amid the Global War on Terror, but Congress has never implemented such changes.[45] Debates over potential insignia persist in military circles, with hypothetical designs featuring six stars in a circular arrangement or additions like a laurel wreath to the five-star pattern, though none have been officially adopted, preserving the rank's bespoke and ceremonial character.[44]Equivalent wartime or honorary ranks
Equivalent wartime or honorary ranks refer to prestigious titles conferred in lieu of or alongside high-level star-based designations, typically to recognize supreme leadership in major conflicts without implying ongoing operational command. These ranks often emerge or are prominently used during global wars to honor victors and facilitate international alliances, serving as symbolic equivalents to five-star positions in NATO systems.[46][47] In the United Kingdom and Commonwealth nations, the rank of Field Marshal stands as a prime example, established as the army's highest position since 1736 and functioning as a five-star equivalent under NATO's OF-10 code. Reserved primarily for wartime army or army group commanders, it has frequently been awarded honorarily to retiring senior officers who achieved decisive victories, such as those in World War II.[46][48] During the war, promotions to Field Marshal enhanced Allied coordination; for instance, Field Marshal Sir John Dill's elevation in 1941 supported key joint conferences leading to operations like D-Day, underscoring the rank's role in multinational command structures.[49] The Soviet Union's Marshal of the Soviet Union provides another non-star honorary equivalent, instituted in 1935 as the pinnacle of military hierarchy and comparable to a five-star or superior rank. This title was bestowed on leaders for orchestrating major wartime triumphs, such as in World War II, where it symbolized unassailable authority without routine peacetime duties.[50] In the United States, honorary promotions to supreme ranks have mirrored this tradition, as seen with Ulysses S. Grant's elevation to General of the Army on July 25, 1866, a position Congress created specifically for him following Union victory in the Civil War. Though using four-star insignia, it denoted overarching authority akin to higher star levels, serving purely as an honor with no post-retirement command responsibilities.[51] Such ranks are generally criteria-bound, limited to individuals who secure victory in large-scale wars through exceptional strategic command, and they confer prestige without vesting active authority, particularly after service ends. This ensures they reward historical impact while avoiding peacetime hierarchy disruptions.[52][46]Global Variations
United States and NATO allies
In the United States, star ranks are prominently featured in the insignia for general and flag officers across the armed services, with uniform regulations strictly governing their wear to denote authority and hierarchy. The U.S. Army prescribes the placement of silver stars on epaulets and collars for general officers under Army Regulation 670-1, which details the exact size, spacing, and materials for one- to four-star ranks to ensure uniformity and visibility.[53] Similarly, the U.S. Navy requires flag officers to wear gold stars on sleeve insignia, shoulder boards, and collar devices, where the number of stars directly corresponds to rank, such as one star for rear admiral (lower half) and four for admiral.[54] As of September 30, 2023, the U.S. military authorized 44 four-star billets across the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, and joint commands, with 37 active; by November 2025, following 2025 reductions, active four-stars number 36.[55] NATO allies align their officer ranks with U.S. star systems through Standardization Agreement (STANAG) 2116, which establishes equivalence codes (OF-6 to OF-9) for one- to four-star grades to promote interoperability among member nations.[56] For instance, Canada's Canadian Armed Forces uses insignia featuring a four-maple-leaf general for its highest peacetime rank (OF-9), with brigadier-general (one maple leaf, OF-6), major-general (two maple leaves, OF-7), and lieutenant-general (three maple leaves, OF-8) following the NATO structure.[57] In Germany, the Bundeswehr employs a comparable system under STANAG 2116, where Brigadegeneral (one star), Generalmajor (two stars), Generalleutnant (three stars), and General (four stars) serve as equivalents, facilitating seamless command integration. Five-star ranks (OF-10) remain exceptionally rare across NATO allies, reserved historically for wartime supreme commands and not actively used in peacetime structures. As of 2025, NATO allies continue to adhere to STANAG 2116 without major revisions. The 2020s have seen expansions in U.S. four-star billets to address emerging domains, including the creation of the U.S. Space Force in 2019, which added a dedicated four-star position for the Chief of Space Operations to oversee space operations.[58] Similarly, enhancements to U.S. Cyber Command in the early 2020s bolstered its four-star leadership to coordinate cyberspace operations amid growing threats, though 2025 directives reduced overall senior billets by 20% for efficiency.[40] This NATO-aligned star system enhances interoperability during joint exercises, where personnel rely on star counts for rapid rank identification, as outlined in U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff guidance on NATO standardization.[59]Commonwealth and other English-speaking nations
In the United Kingdom, the star ranking system is applied informally across the armed forces to denote the seniority of senior officers, facilitating alignment with NATO structures for joint operations. The British Army employs traditional insignia without literal stars for its general officers: the brigadier, a one-star equivalent but classified as a field officer, wears a crown over three pips (Bath stars); the major general (two-star) features crossed sword and baton; the lieutenant general (three-star) adds a pip above the crossed emblems; and the general (four-star) incorporates a crown. The five-star rank of field marshal serves as an honorary equivalent and has been granted substantively or honorarily, with the most recent being Lord Richards in 2025, with subsequent appointments limited to ceremonial or royal honors.[60][61][62] The Royal Navy and Royal Air Force more directly incorporate stars into flag and air officer insignia. In the Royal Navy, shoulder insignia feature a crown over crossed baton and sword with two stars for rear admiral (two-star), three stars for vice admiral (three-star), and four stars for admiral (four-star), with admiral of the fleet as the honorary five-star equivalent using a crown with two crossed batons in a wreath. Similarly, RAF air commodore (one-star) uses a single star, air vice-marshal (two-star) two stars, air marshal (three-star) three stars, and air chief marshal (four-star) four stars, with marshal of the Royal Air Force as the five-star honorary rank. Historically, figures like Louis Mountbatten held concurrent five-star equivalents across services, including admiral of the fleet from 1956, alongside honorary general and air marshal appointments, underscoring the system's use for prestigious wartime or ceremonial roles.[61][63][64] Commonwealth nations like Australia and Canada adapt the British-influenced system with national symbols while maintaining star equivalences, capping substantive promotions at four stars during peacetime under defense legislation such as Australia's Defence Act 1903 and Canada's National Defence Act. Australian general officers mirror British Army insignia with added "Australia" text on shoulder boards, using pips and emblems rather than stars, though ranks are denoted as one- to four-star equivalents; naval ranks incorporate anchors with executive curls, and air force uses stars akin to the RAF. In Canada, army general officers employ crossed swords with one to four superimposed maple leaves for brigadier-general to general, replacing traditional stars; the navy uses crossed anchors with maple leaves or bars for flag ranks; and the air force features stars under a royal crown. These variations emphasize national identity while ensuring interoperability, with five-star ranks reserved for honorary wartime or exceptional appointments.[65][66][67]Non-Western and non-NATO countries
In Russia, the armed forces employ a star-based insignia system for all officer ranks, with small gold stars on shoulder boards indicating junior officers—such as one star for a junior lieutenant, two for a lieutenant, and three for a senior lieutenant—and larger stars for generals, where a major general wears one star, a lieutenant general two stars, a colonel general three stars, and an army general four stars, the latter equivalent to a NATO four-star rank.[68][69] This system, inherited and modified from Soviet traditions, extends stars to lower ranks unlike many Western models, emphasizing a uniform visual hierarchy across the officer corps.[68] The People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China adopted a star insignia system for general officers following the 1988 military reforms, which reinstated formal ranks after a hiatus during the Cultural Revolution. Major generals wear one large gold star on shoulder boards, lieutenant generals two stars, and generals three stars as the highest rank, with no four-star equivalent in active use.[70][71] These reforms standardized insignia across PLA branches, using rectangular shoulder boards with gold piping and stars aligned horizontally to denote seniority.[71] In India, the army's rank system, influenced by British colonial traditions post-1947 independence, uses stars combined with national emblems and crossed accoutrements on shoulder epaulettes for general officers. A major general's insignia features a single five-pointed star above crossed sword and baton, a lieutenant general has the Ashoka Lion capital (national emblem) above crossed baton and sword, and the chief of the army staff holds a four-star general rank with the emblem, crossed sword and baton, and a star.[72] The five-star field marshal rank is ceremonial and has been awarded only twice since independence—to Sam Manekshaw in 1973 and K.M. Cariappa in 1986—with no active incumbents. Latin American militaries, such as Brazil's army, utilize star ranks for generals with variations in design, including five-pointed stars on shoulder boards: two for a brigadier general, three for a major general (equivalent to division general), and four for an army general, while the five-star marshal rank is reserved for wartime or honorary use and has not been active since World War II.[73] Some countries, like Mexico and Argentina, employ similar star counts but incorporate embroidered or laurel-wreathed variations for higher ranks, reflecting Spanish colonial influences adapted to national symbols, though five- and six-star ranks remain exceptionally rare across the region, typically limited to historical or supreme command roles.[73] Overall, non-Western and non-NATO countries generally limit star ranks to four or fewer for active officers, with higher designations appearing infrequently in peacetime, diverging from NATO's standardized multi-star progression for senior leadership.References
- https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Public_Law_78-482