Why hasn't LTG McMaster been nominated for promotion to GEN? Considering the responsibilities of his position it seems warranted to promote?

Correct Chief. There are currently 11 four star generals serving on active duty...Commander, USCENTCOM, Commander, USEUCOM and SACEUR; Commander, USSOCOM; Commander, RS and USFOR-A; Commander, UNC, ROK-US CFC and USFK; CSA and the VCSA; and the Commanders of AMC, TRADOC, USARPAC and FORSCOM. The six you mentioned are the only Army "pure" four-stars on the list, as the other five are either joint or unified commands and can be filled by a four-star from another branch.

Thanks Guy. That's what I thought about limits for GOs within each branch. Considering his position it should be a rubber stamp, but they are likely worried about optics besides the GO limits. Considering his job and performance I think his nomination is warranted. The CJCS job rotates so they may be looking father down the road as well. Not for McMaster but Army 4 stars. Not sure who's next in line but USAF maybe since it's been awhile for them. It's ultimately up to POTUS, but SecDef has input as well.

in 1985 we had the General of the Signal Corp visiting in Korea, I'd almost swear he was a 4 star.

I'm sure politics comes in play, but he is not really personally aligned with any party. I wonder if it may count against the Army's authorized number of GEN's and they don't want to lose a slot that might be better used elsewhere. They may see it as a wasted promotion. I think he's deserving, considering the responsibility and visibility of his position. I don't know how all that works with joint billets outside the normal US Army structure, but I believe they have a limit on the numbers they can have regardless of where they serve. Considering who he deals with and who he works for, a promotion would not necessarily allow him to be more effective, but it is a way of rewarding him for his faithful service. I believe he was passed over twice for promotion to BG, due to being outspoken about the Viet Nam war, and I see no problem with rewarding him for his service in these tough times.

SSG (Join to see) - who nominated Patraeus for a fifth star? I don't remember hearing about that. Or was it just a congressman or someone giving their opinion that he should be one?

LTC (Join to see) - I missed that one also. Don't recall any serious consideration for a 5th star for Petraeus. I ggogled it and found a few op-ed pieces but considering his legal problems they fell on deaf ears.

http://www.npr.org/2011/01/25/133218465/Should-Gen-David-Petraeus-Have-Five-Stars

I read that Adm Poindexter actually decided to retire shorty into his time as he felt the position was meant to be civilian. But after that the others were 3 stars who were "detailed" to the exec branch vs filling a military position of a certain rank. Then I think the job ended up being their stepping stone to 4 star.

LTC (Join to see) - He was never officially nominated. There were just talks on whether he should or not, once he stepped down from ISAF command. It was actually the DNC who recommended to President Obama to make him CIA director because they feared the GOP would get him to run for President.