When will we see another 5 Star General?

2016-07-11T23:01:45-04:00

This question has passed my mind a few times, and I've always wondered when we will see another General of The Army. It has been almost 70 years since the Army has seen a 5 Star General. I am not so sure on how the promotion system works to obtain this rank, especially since it has been so long since we've seen this rank.

Any thoughts or ideas? I know it may sound like a silly question.

Response by ENS Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2016 11:24 PM

2016-07-11T23:24:35-04:00

I don't think we will see another 5 star general again, or at least anytime soon. Though the 5 stars do look impressive, the secretary of defense seems to have fulfilled the role of a 6 star and the secretary of the branch has fulfilled the role of a 5 star.. Arguably you could say that the top 4 star should be a 5 star as they are in charge of their branch, however it seems that for now, 4 stars is good enough. I wouldn't be opposed to a 5 star at the top of every branch, but there doesn't seem to be that big of a push.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2016 11:29 PM

2016-07-11T23:29:50-04:00

O-11 and E-10 rank are held as special and won't be activated unless we have a large scale war similar to WWI / II, God Forbid. If it were to happen, Gen Miley and SMA Dailey would automatically be promoted to that rank.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Jul 12 at 2016 12:06 AM

2016-07-12T00:06:55-04:00

Man, Really? We already got more Generals NOW than we had at the height of World War Two...Almost to the point that One Stars at the Pentagon make Sammiches...

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Jul 12 at 2016 8:43 AM

2016-07-12T08:43:56-04:00

I'd rather we stop promoting so many Generals to begin with. We've got more now than we have places to put them. IMO, only the service Chief of Staff should be a 4-star while the remainder should be capped at 3-star and below. I mean, honestly, do we really NEED a star commanding 1000 troops? It sure seems that's the ratio today.

Come to think of it....We could reduce the budget issues by eliminating many of the GO billets outright. Two birds, one stone.

Response by SGT Edward Wilcox made Jul 12 at 2016 9:08 AM

2016-07-12T09:08:02-04:00

To answer that question, you have to look at history and understand why the rank was created in the first place.

During WWI and WWII, our top commanders were being out ranked by the European top commanders. We needed something that put our officers on equal footing with the Field Marshals of France and England. Hence, the creation of the rank General of the Army, denoted by 5 stars. The rank stayed through the Korean War, where it was held by Gen MacArthur. Once he retired, it was never used again, and probably won't be until we are forced to combine with an ally to fight another global conflict.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jul 12 at 2016 9:32 AM

2016-07-12T09:32:07-04:00

I don't think we'll ever see another five star flag officer, SPC Private RallyPoint Member.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 12 at 2016 5:17 PM

2016-07-12T17:17:18-04:00

NEVER !!!

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Jul 16 at 2018 11:01 AM

2018-07-16T11:01:33-04:00

Perhaps if there was just one as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff ? I'm sure We can survive without the rank anyway, We have for quite a long time.

Response by MSgt Nathan Krawitz made Feb 8 at 2019 6:12 PM

2019-02-08T18:12:47-05:00

Bradley was the last of 9. Before that, Pershing and Dewey were given the equivalent rank of 6 stars (by title), but it's not known if they wore anything beyond 4. In 1976, Washington was given a title equivalent to 7 stars. He was a 3-star at his highest rank, consistent with the period with the responsibility and size and types of units under his command.

I feel there still is a need for 5-star rank, for service chiefs and the JCS chairman and vice, but with no pay raise beyond their current roles. I would also make it restrictive to honor all those who served after the last 5-star retired from active duty.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 22 at 2019 11:05 AM

2019-09-22T11:05:30-04:00

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_of_the_Armies

You might all find this interesting reading, if nothing else...I'd read that Gen MacArthur had been considered for it, quite seriously, though he basically turned it down, or dissuaded those trying to get it for him...then, too, I'd read Gen Schwarzkopf had been very seriously considered for a fifth star, as well, though he also apparently declined it, I'd read, as he'd have had to been on active duty forever, essentially, I'd also read...just a cpl of thoughts...then, too, there was the whole thing with Adm Dewey, as Adm of the Navy, though I never quite knew where that fit into the whole thing, ya know? Personally, if anyone should be allowed it even in retirement, to me, it'd be Gen Colin Powell, of course, though that's just my thought on the whole thing, obv, OK?

General of the Armies - Wikipedia

The General of the Armies of the United States, or more commonly referred to as General of the Armies (abbreviated as GAS), is the highest possible rank in the United States Army.[1] The rank is informally equated to that of a six-star general or Generalissimo and is one of the two highest possible military ranks in the United States Armed Forces.