Posted on Aug 23, 2016
What is the absolute highest rank in the US Army?
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The promotion order for General George Washington to General of the Armies of the United States. This order was cut so that General Washington would hold the highest rank in the United States military as order by a Joint Resolution of Congress (See Public Law 94-479).
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CWO3 (Join to see)
Very interesting indeed. I never knew this about our former First President of our Country. Thanks for sharing this. By the way how many Five Star General's were promoted to this rank and who was selected first?
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MAJ Stuart Devlin
Washington was the only person to hold the rank of General of the Army. Under proclamation from congress that no General deceased or living would ever outrank George.
Though you ask any Household 6 and she will tell you she is, who am I to argue.
Though you ask any Household 6 and she will tell you she is, who am I to argue.
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As a retired E-9, I disagree with the official answer for this question. ;)
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PO2 Edward Collins
Got to be a Coast Guard Master Chief. Because no Navy Master Chief, Senior Chief or Chief would refer to themselves or anyone else who had went through the intimation as an E 7/8 or 9
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MCPO (Join to see)
Ed, once you make rate, you may understand what it's like to be in a joint environment, and using terminology that isn't service-specific. And I'm not sure what "intimation" is in this case, but you haven't got one (that word means, "hint" or "clue). And I had a great time in my Initiation as a Chief.
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The the General Master Chief, CW9, awarded to my mother in 2014 by NDARNG TAG MG Alan "Spry". Backstory is during her retirement, 38 years AGR, Fort Knox typo-ed her CW4 rank and put in CW9. The TAG ran with it and made it happen. She was "promoted" during her retirement ceremony.
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MAJ Eric Berard
I Knew a SGT (MAJ) once. He was commisioned in 67 did 3 or 4 years and came back in the late 80's (National Guard). By late 90s he was a MAJ but did not have 20 (good) years to retire. There is a 30 year rule. In 97 he had to revert to a SGT to finish his 20. He was a great SGT-MAJ
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SSG Larry Donaldson
MAJ Eric Berard - He retired at paygrade E-9 though. I knew a LTC during 1972's RIFT who had to revert back to E-5 to stay in the Army but. He had been my former BN CO. Now I was his boss. Talk about awkward.
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Dale Roberts
SSG Larry Donaldson - Pretty sure you retire at the highest pay grade. For officers it's +1. That's the reason full bird colonel's are so happy, they retire with the pay of a 1 star.
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LtCol Jack Chase
A person does retire at highest pay grade held, but, the tradition of "promoting" an officer at retirement went out a long time ago. Even when it was done, it was only an honorary promotion, the retirement pay was for the last grade actually held.
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The squad leader regardless of rank handles more people than at any other time in the military.
Yep
Yep
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There is a traditional thought that a chaplain is the same rank as the person he is speaking with plus 1-day so he can be on their level but not necessarily ordered against their duties. So, theoretically, a chaplain speaking to the 6-Star General would also be a 6-Star General, plus 1 day....
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MSgt Matthew Robinson
So, when praying, or "talking to god," a chaplain would be...a God, plus one day?
Or is God a civilian distinction like POTUS? lol
Or is God a civilian distinction like POTUS? lol
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General of the Armies of the United States of America
General George Washington (posthumously from 1976)
General John J "Blackjack" Pershing
General George Washington (posthumously from 1976)
General John J "Blackjack" Pershing
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I will have to say SFC that's because my platoon sergeant,SFC Aubrey Smith told us new recruits getting off "His Bus " onto "His Quadrangle " in 1965 at Ft.Lewis Wa.He must have had the highest rank to own all that government property!
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General of the Armies. Pershing was only active General to be made one, and Washington being posthumously promoted to it in the 70's.
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The absolute highest rank in the US Army is held by George Washington who, on July 4, 1976, was posthumously promoted to General of the Armies. This is not specified as a 6-star rank but Congress did debate establishing such a rank during WWII as if the invasion of Japan had been attempted, you'd have multiple 5-stars involved, as well as to give an American commander peerage with any potential British Field Marshals that might have been there. The same Congressional resolution also specifies that no officer in the Army should ever outrank Washington so, presumably, should a 6-star rank ever be created, Washington would be either posthumously promoted again to either a higher rank or before any such appointment to a 6-star rank so as to be senior.
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