Where can I find a breakdown of Army Generals by original branch?

2018-08-13T16:39:25-04:00

I've done some google searches, tried pulling up lists of generals, and there are many lists. I could go through one by one for all of them but I figure there is something floating around out there that has done that already.

The basis for this search is that some cadets are changing their branch choices to go combat arms for career reasons. They can do what they want, I'd like to give them some evidence to go off of though, some want non combat arms jobs and a military career that doesn't stagnate. The military is what you make of it, not looking to debate these points or their reasoning. Just looking for statistics, thank you for your help.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Aug 13 at 2018 5:01 PM

2018-08-13T17:01:38-04:00

Great question, I have never seen a break down for which you describe. I am sure somewhere there is one. Just not sure where to look.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2018 5:07 PM

2018-08-13T17:07:59-04:00

Active Duty Military Personnel by Service and Rank, Data from June 2014
The total strength of the United States Army:

O-1O 11
O-9 49
O-8 114
O-7 141

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2018 5:10 PM

2018-08-13T17:10:42-04:00

You could ask you BDE S1 for the breakdown of General slots in each branch, the S1 Chief has access to systems that can provide the exact data you are looking for.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 13 at 2018 6:20 PM

2018-08-13T18:20:08-04:00

You have to think about OCS, Branch transfers and details.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2018 9:58 PM

2018-08-13T21:58:20-04:00

Go to the GOMO website, it will require CAC access but has every active 1-4 Star. Then they have retired lists, USAR and ARNG. GOMO is the General Officer Management Office, now known as the Senior Leaders Management Division. At the end of the day the Army will put these officers in the branches we need, regardless of what they want.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Aug 13 at 2018 10:45 PM

2018-08-13T22:45:13-04:00

Figures lie and liars figure. Obviously I have a Navy tilt but there are some common aspects. There will be many more flags in the mission specific areas (fight wars) vs. specific staff corps. If you take a look at a list of current flag billets and just count staff vs. line (Navy term), you'd see it's about a 1/3rd staff including Restricted Line vs. 2/3rds line. But that won't tell you a good story either. Regardless of what area you work in, there's a difference between the number of flags vs. body count in their respective grouping. Certain categories burn through more bodies. Getting promotions should be similar as the Services limit promotion percentage amongst the staff corps to be that of the line side. That way people don't make O-4 in five years vs. nearer to ten. Even then the competence vs. political weight of making flag varies. I used to sit boards and recorded for a flag board. Since I was staff, I got to see some of the dynamics of the varied staff boards. An example near and dear to me was the Civil Engineer Corps had a very heavy technical skill and pedigree elements. The Chaplains were 90% politics. So a big thing will be what arena you prefer to play and be successful in. Bottom line, it's much more than "there's more over there, hence it's better". That's the exact mentality that leads to disappointment because other things are a determiner. And you might not be happy with that particular mix.

Nice academic question but great performance in something you love and help make everyone around you better at, regardless of where it takes you, is a much more rewarding journey. You'll be surprised where you'll go. I never thought I'd spend a hunk of time in Antarctica and many other spots around the world. But then again, I never knew my future wife existed, until she hit me....

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Aug 13 at 2018 11:07 PM

2018-08-13T23:07:00-04:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member if you are trying to get a list of GOs by branch, you are better of going to the Center and School for each of the branches as they'll have their history of who the Chief was.

Additionally, you could go to GOMO on the Army Senior Leader Development page (CAC so I can't get you a link) and you can see the bio for every current and retired Army GO. some notables:
- GEN McConville - Aviation
- GEN Odierno - Field Artillery
- GEN Gus Perna - Infantry then Ordnance
- GEN Milley - Infantry even though he is a long tabber.
- GEN LaPorte - Armor even though he was an aviator
- GEN JD Thurman - Armor
- LTG Terry Tucker - Armor
- MG Vincent Boles - Ordnance
- GEN Paul Kern - Armor
- GEN Nicholson - Infantry
- BG Fletcher - Aviation
- LTG John Morgan - FA
- MG Warton - QM
- LTG McMaster - Armor
- BG John Hort - IN

Fact: there are more combat arms raised general officers. I could tell you the day I was commissioned I would never be the Chief of Staff of the Army or the Chairman of the JCS because I was an Ordnance Officer. Water is wet, sky is blue. It is what it is.

Cadets have more chance of being hit by lightning than becoming a GO. Go be the best officer you can be. Take care of soldiers and accomplish the mission. Keep up with branch progression, education, and family. If you make it, don't forget where you come from. If you don't, congratulations youre just like everyone else. I direct them to DA PAM 600-3 that states that promotion to lieutenant colonel should be considered a successful career. Don't go chasing stars. Cosmic level Luck and timing are at work and there is little you can do but be prepared, accept that you left it all on the field, and be thankful for what you did achieve. Kind of a downer, but there it is.

They can try and rearrange the deck chairs by changing branches, but they may end up screwing themselves out of an opportunity to succeed, especially if they are lobbying to go to their #1 choice that has already given them a down vote. For better, for worse they passed on you once. Take the hint.