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→Other Militaries
A '''General''' is a high ranking military officer in several militaries.
A '''General''' is a high-ranking military officer in several militaries.
==United States==
==United States==
In the [[United States]], general officers are the highest set of officers in the [[US Army]], the [[US Marine Corps]], and the [[US Air Force]]. There are four grades in use today, each sometimes referred to by the number of stars in that rank's insignia. In descending order, they are:
In the [[United States]], general officers are the highest set of officers in the [[US Army]], the [[US Marine Corps]], and the [[US Air Force]]. There are four grades in use today, each sometimes referred to by the number of stars in that rank's insignia. In descending order, they are:
*[[General]] (four star)
*General (four star)
*[[Lieutenant General]] (three star)
*[[Lieutenant General]] (three star)
*[[Major General]] (two star)
*[[Major General]] (two star)
==Origins of names==
==Origins of names==
The title orginates from the [[adjective]] used in describing the office or position of the overal leader during a campaign in many European armies as the '''Captain ''General'''''; in a similar way that we may refer to the [[Surgeon General]] of the United States today. Eventually the rank was shortened to just General.
The title originates from the [[adjective]] used in describing the office or position of the overal leader during a campaign in many European armies as the '''Captain ''General'''''; in a similar way that we may refer to the [[Surgeon General]] of the United States today. Eventually the rank was shortened to just General.
A [[lieutenant]] was the title of leader under a [[captain]] and able to act in place of the captain (from the words "lieu" meaning in place of and "tenant" meaning position) hence the rank of '''Lieutenant General''' preceded Captain General.
A [[lieutenant]] was the title of leader under a [[captain]] and able to act in place of the captain (from the words "lieu" meaning in place of and "tenant" meaning position) hence the rank of '''Lieutenant General''' preceded Captain General.
The senior commander in charge of the infantry on a field of battle took the title of "Serjeant Major" (using the older English spelling with a j). When this title became used for smaller units such as regiments, the title was renamed Sejeant-Major General. During the eighteenth century the two ranks were shortened respectively to Major and '''Major General'''. The rank of Sergeant Major as a senior non-commissioned officer (enlisted ranks) was introduced later.
The senior commander in charge of the infantry on a field of battle took the title of "Serjeant Major" (using the older English spelling with a j). When this title became used for smaller units such as regiments, the title was renamed Sejeant-Major General. During the eighteenth century the two ranks were shortened respectively to Major and '''Major General'''. The rank of Sergeant Major as a senior non-commissioned officer (enlisted ranks) was introduced later.
A '''Brigadier General''' was orginally the senior officer in charge of a Brigade.
A '''Brigadier General''' was originally the senior officer in charge of a Brigade.
==Other Militaries==
==Other Militaries==
Some air forces, including the British Royal Air Force use various grades of Air Marshal in place of Generals of two stars or higher, The equivalent of a one star General is an Air Commodore.
Some air forces, including the British Royal Air Force use various grades of Air Marshal in place of Generals of two stars or higher, The equivalent of a one star General is an Air Commodore.
== See also ==
*[[Leadership]]
==References==
==References==