There are currently 165 active-duty three-star officers in the uniformed services of the United States: 52 in the Army, 19 in the Marine Corps, 37 in the Navy, 45 in the Air Force, five in the Space Force, five in the Coast Guard, one in the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and one in the United States Maritime Service.
Position insignia | Position | Photo | Incumbent | Service branch |
---|---|---|---|---|
Office of the Joint Staff | ||||
Director of the Joint Staff (DJS) | Lieutenant General Douglas A. Sims II [10] | U.S. Army | ||
Joint Staff directorates | ||||
Director for Intelligence (J-2), Joint Staff | Lieutenant General Dimitri Henry [11] | U.S. Marine Corps | ||
Director for Operations (J-3), Joint Staff | Vacant | |||
Director for Logistics (J-4), Joint Staff | Lieutenant General Leonard J. Kosinski [12] | U.S. Air Force | ||
Director for Strategy, Plans and Policy (J-5), Joint Staff and Senior Member, United States Delegation to the United Nations Military Staff Committee | Lieutenant General Joseph P. McGee [13] | U.S. Army | ||
Director, Command, Control, Communications and Computers and Cyber and Chief Information Officer (J-6), Joint Staff | Lieutenant General David T. Isaacson [14] | U.S. Army | ||
Director for Joint Force Development (J-7), Joint Staff | Lieutenant General Dagvin R.M. Anderson [15] | U.S. Air Force | ||
Director of Force Structure, Resources and Assessment (J-8), Joint Staff | Vice Admiral Sara A. Joyner [16] | U.S. Navy |
Position insignia | Position | Photo | Incumbent | Service branch |
---|---|---|---|---|
Office of the Secretary | ||||
Director of Hypersonics, Directed Energy, Space and Rapid Acquisition, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology) | Lieutenant General Robert A. Rasch Jr. [43] | U.S. Army | ||
Military Deputy for Budget to the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Financial Management and Comptroller) | Lieutenant General Paul A. Chamberlain [44] | U.S. Army | ||
Inspector General of the United States Army (IG) | Lieutenant General Donna W. Martin [45] | U.S. Army |
Position insignia | Position | Photo | Incumbent | Service branch |
---|---|---|---|---|
Office of the Secretary | ||||
Principal Military Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition) | Vice Admiral Francis D. Morley [86] | U.S. Navy | ||
Naval Inspector General (NAVIG) and Special Assistant for Inspection Support (N09G) | Vice Admiral John V. Fuller [87] | U.S. Navy | ||
Judge Advocate General of the Navy (JAG), Special Assistant for Legal Services (N09J) and Department of Defense Representative for Ocean Policy Affairs (REPOPA) | Vice Admiral Darse E. Crandall Jr. [88] | U.S. Navy |
Position insignia | Position | Photo | Incumbent | Service branch |
---|---|---|---|---|
Headquarters Marine Corps | ||||
Director of the Marine Corps Staff (DMCS) | Lieutenant General Gregg P. Olson [89] | U.S. Marine Corps | ||
Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs (DC M&RA) | Lieutenant General James F. Glynn [90] | U.S. Marine Corps | ||
Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies, and Operations (DC, PP&O) | Lieutenant General James W. Bierman Jr. [91] | U.S. Marine Corps | ||
Deputy Commandant for Aviation (DCA) | Lieutenant General Bradford J. Gering [92] | U.S. Marine Corps | ||
Deputy Commandant, Installations and Logistics (DC I&L) | Lieutenant General Edward D. Banta [93] | U.S. Marine Corps | ||
Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration (DC, CD&I) and Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command (MCCDC) | Lieutenant General Karsten S. Heckl [94] | U.S. Marine Corps | ||
Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources (DC P&R) | Lieutenant General James H. Adams III [95] | U.S. Marine Corps | ||
Deputy Commandant for Information (DCI) and Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Strategic Command (MARFORSTRAT) | Lieutenant General Matthew G. Glavy [96] | U.S. Marine Corps | ||
Supporting establishment | ||||
Commanding General, U.S. Marine Corps Training and Education Command (TECOM) | Lieutenant General Kevin M. Iiams [97] | U.S. Marine Corps | ||
Operating forces | ||||
Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command (MARFORCOM), Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Northern Command (MARFORNORTH) and Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic (FMFLANT) | Lieutenant General Brian W. Cavanaugh [98] | U.S. Marine Corps | ||
Commanding General, II Marine Expeditionary Force (II MEF) | Lieutenant General David A. Ottignon [99] | U.S. Marine Corps | ||
Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific (MARFORPAC) and Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific (FMFPAC) | Lieutenant General William M. Jurney [100] | U.S. Marine Corps | ||
Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Japan (MARFORJ) and Commanding General, III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF) | Lieutenant General Roger B. Turner Jr. [101] [102] | U.S. Marine Corps | ||
Commanding General, I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF) | Lieutenant General Michael S. Cederholm [103] | U.S. Marine Corps | ||
Marine Forces Reserve | ||||
Commander, Marine Forces Reserve (MARFORRES) and Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South (MARFORSOUTH) | Lieutenant General Leonard F. Anderson IV [104] | U.S. Marine Corps |
Position insignia | Position | Photo | Incumbent | Service branch |
---|---|---|---|---|
Office of the Chief of Naval Operations | ||||
Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Manpower, Personnel, Training, and Education (N1/NT) and Chief of Naval Personnel (CNP) | Vice Admiral Richard J. Cheeseman Jr. [105] | U.S. Navy | ||
Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Warfare (N2/N6) and Director of Naval Intelligence (DNI) | Vice Admiral Karl O. Thomas [106] [107] | U.S. Navy | ||
Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans and Strategy (N3/N5) | Vice Admiral Eugene H. Black III [108] | U.S. Navy | ||
Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Installations and Logistics (N4) | Vice Admiral Jeffrey T. Jablon [109] | U.S. Navy | ||
Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfighting Development (N7) | Vice Admiral Daniel W. Dwyer [110] | U.S. Navy | ||
Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Integration of Capabilities and Resources (N8) | Vice Admiral John B. Skillman [111] [112] | U.S. Navy | ||
Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfighting Requirements and Capabilities (N9) | Vice Admiral James E. Pitts [113] [112] | U.S. Navy | ||
Chief of Navy Reserve (N095) and Commander, Navy Reserve Force (CNRF) | Vice Admiral John B. Mustin [114] | U.S. Navy | ||
Type commands | ||||
Commander, Naval Air Forces (COMNAVAIRFOR) and Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMNAVAIRPAC) | Vice Admiral Daniel L. Cheever [107] | U.S. Navy | ||
Commander, Naval Information Forces (NAVIFOR) | Vice Admiral Kelly A. Aeschbach [115] | U.S. Navy | ||
Commander, Submarine Forces (COMSUBFOR), Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet (COMSUBLANT), Commander, Allied Submarine Command (ASC), Commander, Task Force 114 (CTF-114), [116] Commander, Task Force 88 (CTF-88) and Commander, Task Force 46 (CTF-46) | Vice Admiral Robert M. Gaucher [117] | U.S. Navy | ||
Commander, Naval Surface Forces (COMNAVSURFOR) and Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMNAVSURFPAC) | Vice Admiral Brendan R. McLane [118] [119] | U.S. Navy | ||
Operating forces (and subordinated units) | ||||
Deputy Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFF), Deputy Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Northern Command (NAVNORTH), Deputy Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Strategic Command (NAVSTRAT) and Commander, Task Force 80 (CTF-80) | Vice Admiral John E. Gumbleton [120] | U.S. Navy | ||
Commander, U.S. Second Fleet (C2F), Commander, Joint Force Command – Norfolk (JFC-NF) and Director, Combined Joint Operations from the Sea Center of Excellence (CJOS COE) | Vice Admiral Douglas G. Perry [121] | U.S. Navy | ||
Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet (C6F), Commander, Task Force Six, Commander, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (COMSTRIKFORNATO), Deputy Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (CNE-CNA) and Joint Force Maritime Component Commander Europe | Vice Admiral Thomas E. Ishee [122] | U.S. Navy | ||
Deputy Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet (USPACFLT) | Vice Admiral Blake L. Converse [123] [124] | U.S. Navy | ||
Commander, U.S. Third Fleet (C3F) | Vice Admiral Michael E. Boyle [125] | U.S. Navy | ||
Commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet (C7F) | Vice Admiral Frederick W. Kacher [126] | U.S. Navy | ||
Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), Commander, U.S. Fifth Fleet (C5F) and Commander, Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) | Vice Admiral George M. Wikoff [127] | U.S. Navy | ||
Commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command (FCC), Commander, U.S. Tenth Fleet (C10F), Commander, U.S. Navy Space Command (NAVSPACECOM) and Commander, Joint Force Headquarters - U.S. Fleet Cyber Command (JFHQ-FCC) | Vice Admiral Craig A. Clapperton [128] | U.S. Navy | ||
Shore establishment | ||||
Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) | Vice Admiral James P. Downey [129] [130] | U.S. Navy | ||
Commander, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) | Vice Admiral Carl P. Chebi [131] | U.S. Navy | ||
Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) | Vice Admiral Christopher S. Gray [132] | U.S. Navy | ||
Director for Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) | Vice Admiral Johnny R. Wolfe Jr. [133] | U.S. Navy | ||
Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy (USNA) | Vice Admiral Yvette M. Davids [134] | U.S. Navy |
Position insignia | Position | Photo | Incumbent | Service branch |
---|---|---|---|---|
Office of the Secretary | ||||
Military Deputy, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (SAF/AQ) | Lieutenant General Dale R. White [135] | U.S. Air Force | ||
Inspector General of the Department of the Air Force (DAF/IG) | Lieutenant General Stephen L. Davis [136] | U.S. Air Force |
Position insignia | Position | Photo | Incumbent | Service branch |
---|---|---|---|---|
Space Staff | ||||
Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Operations, Cyber, and Nuclear (S3/4/6/7/10) | Lieutenant General DeAnna M. Burt [167] | U.S. Space Force | ||
Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Strategy, Plans, Programs, Requirements, and Analysis (S5/8) | Lieutenant General Shawn N. Bratton [168] | U.S. Space Force | ||
Field commands | ||||
Commander, Space Operations Command (SpOC) | Lieutenant General David N. Miller Jr. [169] | U.S. Space Force | ||
Commander, Space Systems Command (SSC) | Lieutenant General Philip A. Garrant [170] | U.S. Space Force | ||
Commander, U.S. Space Forces – Space (S4S) and Combined Joint Force Space Component Commander, U.S. Space Command | Lieutenant General Douglas A. Schiess [171] | U.S. Space Force |
Position insignia | Position | Photo | Incumbent | Service branch |
---|---|---|---|---|
Headquarters support units | ||||
Deputy Commandant for Operations (DCO) | Vice Admiral Peter W. Gautier [172] | U.S. Coast Guard | ||
Deputy Commandant for Mission Support (DCMS) | Vice Admiral Paul F. Thomas [173] | U.S. Coast Guard | ||
Area commands | ||||
Commander, Coast Guard Atlantic Area (USCGLANTAREA) and Director, Department of Homeland Security Joint Task Force – East (JTF-E) | Vice Admiral Nathan A. Moore [174] | U.S. Coast Guard | ||
Commander, Coast Guard Pacific Area (PACAREA) and Commander, Defense Force West | Vice Admiral Andrew J. Tiongson [175] | U.S. Coast Guard | ||
In transit | ||||
Vice Admiral Kevin E. Lunday Promotable [176] | U.S. Coast Guard |
Position insignia | Position | Photo | Incumbent | Service branch |
---|---|---|---|---|
Office of the Surgeon General | ||||
Surgeon General of the United States (SG) | Vice Admiral Vivek H. Murthy [177] | U.S. Public Health Service |
Position insignia | Position | Photo | Incumbent | Service branch |
---|---|---|---|---|
United States Merchant Marine Academy | ||||
Superintendent of the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) | Vice Admiral Joanna M. Nunan [178] | U.S. Maritime Service |
Current position | Designated position insignia | Designated position | Photo | Name | Service branch | Status and date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Joint assignments | ||||||
In transit | Director for Operations (J-3), Joint Staff | Lieutenant General Alexus G. Grynkewich | U.S. Air Force | Confirmed by the Senate 31 January 2024 [179] [180] | ||
Director, Supply, Ordnance and Logistics Operations Division (N41), Office of the Chief of Naval Operations | Director for Logistics (J-4), Joint Staff | Rear Admiral Dion D. English | U.S. Navy | Confirmed by the Senate 2 May 2024 [181] [182] | ||
Deputy Commanding General - Sustainment, U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC) and Commanding General, 8th Theater Sustainment Command | Deputy Commander, U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) | Major General Jered P. Helwig | U.S. Army | Placed on Senate Executive Calendar 16 May 2024 [183] [184] | ||
Commander, U.S. Air Force Warfare Center (USAFWC) | Commander, Alaskan Command (ALCOM) and Commander, Eleventh Air Force (11 AF) | Major General Case A. Cunningham | U.S. Air Force | Confirmed by the Senate 2 May 2024 [185] [186] | ||
Commander, Joint Enabling Capabilities Command (JECC) | Commander, U.S. Forces Japan (USFJ) and Commander, Fifth Air Force (5 AF) | Major General Stephen F. Jost | U.S. Air Force | Confirmed by the Senate 2 May 2024 [187] [186] | ||
United States Army | ||||||
Commanding General, 11th Airborne Division and Deputy Commander, Alaskan Command (ALCOM) | Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel (G-1) | Major General Brian S. Eifler | U.S. Army | Nomination sent to the Senate 14 May 2024 [188] [189] | ||
Commanding General, III Armored Corps and Commanding General, Fort Cavazos | Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF) | Lieutenant General Sean C. Bernabe | U.S. Army | Nomination sent to the Senate 14 May 2024 [190] [189] | ||
Commanding General, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) and Commanding General, Fort Drum | Commanding General, XVIII Airborne Corps and Commanding General, Fort Liberty | Major General Gregory K. Anderson | U.S. Army | Placed on Senate Executive Calendar 16 May 2024 [191] [184] | ||
United States Marine Corps | ||||||
Commandant, National War College (NWC) | Director of the Marine Corps Staff (DMCS) | Major General Paul J. Rock Jr. | U.S. Marine Corps | Confirmed by the Senate 2 May 2024 [192] [193] | ||
Commanding General, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing | Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs (DC M&RA) | Major General Michael J. Borgschulte | U.S. Marine Corps | Confirmed by the Senate 2 May 2024 [194] [193] | ||
Deputy Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) | Deputy Commandant, Installations and Logistics (DC I&L) | Lieutenant General Stephen D. Sklenka | U.S. Marine Corps | Placed on Senate Executive Calendar 16 May 2024 [195] [184] | ||
Commanding General, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing | Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration (DC, CD&I) and Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command (MCCDC) | Major General Eric E. Austin | U.S. Marine Corps | Confirmed by the Senate 23 March 2024 [196] [197] | ||
Legislative Assistant to the Commandant of the Marine Corps | Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command (MARFORCOM), Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Northern Command (MARFORNORTH) and Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic (FMFLANT) | Major General Roberta L. Shea | U.S. Marine Corps | Confirmed by the Senate 2 May 2024 [198] [193] | ||
Commanding General, 2nd Marine Division | Commanding General, II Marine Expeditionary Force (II MEF) | Major General Calvert L. Worth Jr. | U.S. Marine Corps | Placed on Senate Executive Calendar 16 May 2024 [199] [184] | ||
Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs (DC M&RA) | Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific (MARFORPAC) and Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific (FMFPAC) | Lieutenant General James F. Glynn | U.S. Marine Corps | Confirmed by the Senate 2 May 2024 [200] [201] | ||
United States Navy | ||||||
Program Executive Officer for Strategic Submarines | Principal Military Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition) | Rear Admiral Scott W. Pappano | U.S. Navy | Nomination sent to the Senate 14 May 2024 [202] [203] | ||
Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Navy (DJAG) and Deputy Department of Defense Representative for Ocean Policy Affairs (REPOPA) | Judge Advocate General of the Navy (JAG), Special Assistant for Legal Services (N09J) and Department of Defense Representative for Ocean Policy Affairs (REPOPA) | Rear Admiral Christopher C. French | U.S. Navy | Nomination sent to the Senate 14 May 2024 [204] [203] | ||
Commander, U.S. Third Fleet (C3F) | Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans and Strategy (N3/N5) | Vice Admiral Michael E. Boyle | U.S. Navy | Confirmed by the Senate 2 May 2024 [205] [206] | ||
Commandant, Naval District Washington (NDW) and Deputy Commander, Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region (JFHQ-NCR) | Chief of Navy Reserve (N095) and Commander, Navy Reserve Force (CNRF) | Rear Admiral Nancy S. Lacore | U.S. Navy | Nomination sent to the Senate 14 May 2024 [207] [203] | ||
Commander, Fleet Information Warfare Command Pacific (FIWC Pacific) and Information Warfare Task Force, Pacific (TF-501) | Commander, Naval Information Forces (NAVIFOR) | Rear Admiral Michael J. Vernazza | U.S. Navy | Placed on Senate Executive Calendar 16 May 2024 [208] [209] | ||
In transit | Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet (C6F), Commander, Task Force Six, Commander, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (COMSTRIKFORNATO), Deputy Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (CNE-CNA) and Joint Force Maritime Component Commander Europe | Rear Admiral Jeffrey T. Anderson | U.S. Navy | Nomination sent to the Senate 14 May 2024 [210] [203] | ||
In transit | Commander, U.S. Third Fleet (C3F) | Vice Admiral John F.G. Wade | U.S. Navy | Placed on Senate Executive Calendar 16 May 2024 [211] [209] | ||
United States Air Force | ||||||
Director of Programs, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs (A8P) | Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs (A8) | Major General David H. Tabor | U.S. Air Force | Nomination sent to the Senate 14 May 2024 [212] [189] | ||
Deputy Surgeon General of the United States Air Force (AF/DSG) | Surgeon General of the United States Air Force (AF/SG) and Surgeon General of the United States Space Force (SF/SG) | Major General (Dr.) John J. DeGoes | U.S. Air Force | Nomination sent to the Senate 14 May 2024 [213] [189] | ||
Commander, Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) | Superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) | Lieutenant General Tony D. Bauernfeind | U.S. Air Force | Nomination sent to the Senate 14 May 2024 [214] [189] | ||
Vice Commander, Sixteenth Air Force (Air Forces Cyber/AFCYBER) (16 AF) | Commander, Sixteenth Air Force (Air Forces Cyber/AFCYBER) (16 AF) and Commander, Joint Force Headquarters – Cyber (Air Force) (JFHQ-C) | Major General Thomas K. Hensley | U.S. Air Force | Nomination sent to the Senate 14 May 2024 [215] [189] | ||
Director of Operations, Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) | Commander, Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) | Brigadier General Michael E. Conley | U.S. Air Force | Nomination sent to the Senate 14 May 2024 [216] [189] | ||
Director of Operations (J-3), U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) | Deputy Commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA) | Major General Jason T. Hinds | U.S. Air Force | Placed on Senate Executive Calendar 16 May 2024 [217] [218] | ||
Deputy Director, Air National Guard (ANG) | Director, Air National Guard (ANG) | Major General Duke A. Pirak | U.S. Air Force | Nomination sent to the Senate 14 March 2024 [219] [201] | ||
United States Coast Guard | ||||||
Director of Operations (J-3), U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) | Deputy Commandant for Mission Support (DCMS) | Rear Admiral Thomas G. Allan Jr. | U.S. Coast Guard | Confirmed by the Senate 2 May 2024 [220] | ||
United States Public Health Service | ||||||
Surgeon General of the United States (SG) | Surgeon General of the United States (SG) and U.S. Representative, Executive Board of the World Health Organization (USREPWHO) | Vice Admiral Vivek H. Murthy | U.S. Public Health Service | Nomination sent to the Senate 8 January 2024 [221] [222] [223] |
As with four-star officers, the U.S. Code explicitly limits the number of three-star officers that may be on active duty at any given time. The total number of active-duty general or flag officers is capped at 219 for the Army, 150 for the Navy, 171 for the Air Force, 64 for the Marine Corps, and 21 for the Space Force. [224] Statute also sets the total number of three-star officers allowed in these services, [225] which equates to about 23% of each service's total active-duty general or flag officer pool. [lower-alpha 4] The number is set at 46 three-star Army generals, [225] 17 three-star Marine Corps generals, [225] 34 three-star Navy admirals, [225] 44 three-star Air Force generals, [225] seven three-star Space Force generals, [225] and five three-star Coast Guard admirals. [226]
While a number of these positions are set by statute, most do not have the accompanying statutory three-star rank. By convention, however:
The president may also designate positions of importance and responsibility to other agencies in the executive branch aside from the Coast Guard and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to be held by an officer with the rank of vice admiral, with corresponding pay and allowance. [226]
Exceptions exist that allow for the appointment of three-star officers beyond statutory limits. The secretary of defense can designate up to 68 three-star officers, [249] who do not count against any service's general or flag officer limit, [249] to serve in one of several joint positions. [250] For three-star officers, these include senior positions on the Joint Staff such as the director of the Joint Staff and deputy commanders of unified combatant commands. [251] Officers serving in certain intelligence positions are not counted against statutory limits, including the deputy director of the Central Intelligence Agency, [252] associate director for military affairs of the Central Intelligence Agency, [252] and the advisor for military affairs to the director of National Intelligence. [250] [252] The president can appoint additional three-star officers in any one service, in excess of that service's three-star limit, as long as they are offset by reducing an equivalent number of three-stars from other services. [225] Finally, all statutory limits may be waived at the president's discretion during time of war or national emergency. [253]
Like with four-stars, three-star grade of ranks are temporary in nature; officers may only achieve three stars if they are appointed to positions that require or allow the officer to hold the rank. [254] Their rank expires with the expiration of their term of office, which is normally set by statute. [254] The president nominates three-star officers from any eligible officers holding one-star rank and above who also meet the other requirements for the position, based on the advice of their respective executive department secretary, service secretary, and if applicable the Joint Chiefs. [254] The nominee must be confirmed via majority by the Senate before the appointee can take office and thus assume the rank. [254] [lower-alpha 5]
While it is rare for nominations to face even token opposition in the Senate, nominations that do face opposition due to controversy surrounding the nominee in question are typically withdrawn. [256]
Nominations that are not withdrawn are allowed to expire without action at the end of the legislative session, with said nominations being returned to the President. [256] [276]
Additionally, events that occur after Senate confirmation may delay or even prevent the nominee from assuming office, necessitating that another nominee be selected and considered by the Senate.
Any billet in the armed forces may be designated as a position of importance requiring the holder of the position to be of three-star or four-star rank. [254] One-star and two-star billets may be elevated to three-star or four-star level as appropriate, either by act of Congress, or within statutory limits by the services at their discretion. Congress may propose such elevations or reductions to the president and Department of Defense. [290]
An officer leading a command or office elevated to three-star rank can be promoted while in their present position, reassigned to another office of equal rank, or retire if another nominee is selected as their replacement.
A lower-level billet may be elevated to three-stars, in accordance with being designated as a position of importance, to highlight importance to the defense apparatus or achieve parity with equivalent commands in the same area of responsibility or service branch.
A four-star billet may also be reduced to three-stars, usually to compensate for another billet being elevated to four-star level and thus remain within statutory limits.
The standard tour length for a three-star officer is three years, specifically a two-year term with a one-year extension. Unlike with four-star ranks, many three-star positions have stipulated term lengths in the U.S. Code:
All appointees serve at the pleasure of the president. Extensions of the standard tour length can be approved, within statutory limits, by their respective service secretaries, the secretary of defense, the president, and/or Congress but these are rare, as they block other officers from being promoted. Some statutory limits of tour length under the U.S. Code can be waived in times of national emergency or war. [309] [310] Three-star grades may also be given by act of Congress but this is extremely rare.
Besides voluntary retirement, statute sets a number of mandates for retirement. A three-star officer may serve for a maximum of 38 years of commissioned service unless reappointed to rank to serve longer or appointed to a higher rank. [313] Three-star officers on reserve active duty must retire after five years in grade or 30 days after completion of 38 years of commissioned service, whichever is later, unless reappointed to rank to serve longer. [314] Three-star reserve officers of the Army and Air Force can have their retirements deferred by their service secretary until the officer's 66th birthday, [315] which the secretary of defense may do for all active-duty officers, [316] and the president can defer it until the officer's 68th birthday. [316] Otherwise all general and flag officers must retire the month after their 64th birthday. [316] Officers that served several years in the enlisted ranks prior to receiving their commission typically don't make it to the 38 years in commission mark, because they are still subject to the age restrictions for retirement.
By statute, any three-star officer assigned as superintendent of the United States Military Academy, [317] superintendent of the United States Naval Academy, [318] and superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy [319] must retire upon completion of their assignment, [320] [318] [321] unless a waiver is granted by the secretary of defense. [322] [323] [324] The secretary of defense must also notify the House and Senate Armed Services committees and include a written notification of intent from the president to nominate the officer for reassignment. [322] [323] [324] If a waiver is granted, the subsequent nomination and appointment of such officer having served as superintendent of the Academy to a further assignment in lieu of retirement shall be subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. [322] [323] [324]
Senior officers typically retire well in advance of the statutory age and service limits, so as not to impede the upward career mobility of their juniors. The higher number of available three-star slots overall (ranging from around 100 to 200) means that lateral promotion is more likely for three-star officers before they either retire or are appointed to a higher rank. [lower-alpha 14] An officer who vacates a position bearing that rank has no more than 60 days to be appointed or reappointed to a position of equal or greater importance, including positions of four-star rank, before involuntary retirement. [254]
A three-star officer may also be reduced to their permanent rank, and equivalent pay grade, in circumstances where reappointment to three-star rank is delayed. Historically, officers leaving three-star or four-star positions were allowed to revert to their permanent two-star ranks to mark time in lesser jobs until statutory retirement, but now such officers are expected to retire immediately to avoid obstructing the promotion flow.
To retire at three-star rank, or pay grade of rank, an officer must accumulate at least three years of satisfactory active-duty service in that rank, as determined by the secretary of defense. [333] The president and Congress must also receive certification by either the under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness, the deputy under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness, or the secretary of defense that the retiree served satisfactorily in rank. [333] The secretary of defense may reduce this requirement to two years, but only if the officer is not being investigated for misconduct. [334] The president may also reduce these requirements even further, or waive the requirements altogether, if he so chooses. [333] [334] Three-star officers who do not meet the service-in-rank requirement will retire at the last permanent rank satisfactorily held for six months. [333] The retiree may also be subject to congressional approval by the Senate before the retiree can retire in grade. It is extraordinarily rare for a three-star or four-star officer not to be certified to retire in grade or for the Senate to seek final approval.
Officers who are under investigation for misconduct typically are not allowed to retire until the investigation completes, so that the secretary of defense can decide whether to certify that their performance was satisfactory enough to retire in their highest grade. [333]
Furthermore, all retired officers may still be subjected to the Uniform Code of Military Justice and disciplinary action, including reduction in retirement grade, by the secretary of defense or the president if they are deemed to have served unsatisfactorily in grade, after their retirement. [351]
Officers holding a temporary three-star or four-star rank typically step down from their posts up to 60 days in advance of their official retirement dates. Officers retire on the first day of the month, so once a retirement month has been selected, the relief and retirement ceremonies are scheduled by counting backwards from that date by the number of days of accumulated leave remaining to the retiring officer. During this period, termed transition leave or terminal leave, the officer is considered to be awaiting retirement but still on active duty.
A statutory limit can be waived by the president with the consent of Congress if it serves national interest. However, this is extremely rare. Only two four-star officers have been granted such a waiver in American history: General Lewis B. Hershey, who served as director of the Selective Service System from 1941 to 1970, and Admiral Hyman G. Rickover, who served as director of Naval Reactors from 1949 to 1982.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) is the body of the most senior uniformed leaders within the United States Department of Defense, which advises the president of the United States, the secretary of defense, the Homeland Security Council and the National Security Council on military matters. The composition of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is defined by statute and consists of a chairman (CJCS), a vice chairman (VJCS), the chiefs of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and the chief of the National Guard Bureau. Each of the individual service chiefs, outside their JCS obligations, works directly under the secretaries of their respective military departments, e.g. the secretary of the Army, the secretary of the Navy, and the secretary of the Air Force.
The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) is the presiding officer of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). The chairman is the highest-ranking and most senior military officer in the United States Armed Forces and the principal military advisor to the president, the National Security Council, the Homeland Security Council, and the secretary of defense. While the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff outranks all other commissioned officers, the chairman is prohibited by law from having operational command authority over the armed forces; however, the chairman assists the president and the secretary of defense in exercising their command functions.
Admiral is a four-star commissioned officer rank in the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard, and the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps with the pay grade of O-10. Admiral ranks above vice admiral and below fleet admiral in the Navy; the Coast Guard and the Public Health Service do not have an established grade above admiral. Admiral is equivalent to the rank of general in the other uniformed services. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps has never had an officer hold the grade of admiral. However, 37 U.S.C. § 201 of the U.S. Code established the grade for the NOAA Corps, in case a position is created that merits the four-star grade.
In the United States military, a general is the most senior general-grade officer; it is the highest achievable commissioned officer rank that may be attained in the United States Armed Forces, with exception of the Navy and Coast Guard, which have the equivalent rank of admiral instead. The official and formal insignia of "general" is defined by its four stars.
In the United States Armed Forces, a lieutenant general is a three-star general officer in the United States Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force.
In the United States Armed Forces, a brigadier general is a one-star general officer in the United States Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force.
In the United States Armed Forces, a major general is a two-star general officer in the United States Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force.
A rear admiral in the uniformed services of the United States is either of two different ranks of commissioned officers: one-star flag officers and two-star flag officers. By contrast, in most other countries, the term "rear admiral" refers only to an officer of two-star rank.