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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.
Any thoughts or ideas? I know it may sound like a silly question.
Posted in these groups: 
GEN
GEN
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 10
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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.
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.
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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...
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SGT (Join to see)
Are There Too Many General Officers for Today’s Military?
There are approximately 900 Active-duty general/flag officers (GO/FOs) today of 1.3 million troops. This is a ratio of 1 GO/FO for every 1,400 troops. During World War II, an admittedly different era,
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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?
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.
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Capt Daniel Goodman
I've also given thought to the idea also brought up on here, about the Chair and Vice-Chair of the JCS being entitled to six and five, respectively, if only for sake of pure formality, however, at that level, it's probably obv totally superfluous, I'd gather, ya know?
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