Than Shwe is a retired Burmese army general who held influential positions within Myanmar's government. Serving as the chairman of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) from 1992 to 2011, he played a significant role in shaping the country's political landscape. During his tenure, he exercised considerable authority, contributing to a centralized power structure. His governance saw the implementation of various policies aimed at economic development, modernization and infrastructure improvements. Than Shwe was also involved in efforts to stabilize the country and manage internal conflicts. While his leadership was marked by significant achievements, it also faced scrutiny and criticism, particularly regarding allegations of human rights abuses and restrictions on political freedoms. Than Shwe's tenure coincided with a period of political transition and international scrutiny, with Myanmar experiencing both internal and external challenges.
A five-star rank is the highest military rank in many countries. The rank is that of the most senior operational military commanders, and within NATO's standard rank scale it is designated by the code OF-10. Not all armed forces have such a rank, and in those that do the actual insignia of the five-star ranks may not contain five stars. For example: the insignia for the French OF-10 rank maréchal de France contains seven stars; the insignia for the Portuguese marechal contains four gold stars. The stars used on the various Commonwealth of Nations rank insignias are sometimes colloquially referred to as pips, but in fact either are stars of the orders of the Garter, Thistle or Bath or are Eversleigh stars, depending on the wearer's original regiment or corps, and are used in combination with other heraldic items, such as batons, crowns, swords or maple leaves.
Maung Aye is a retired Burmese army general who played a significant role in Myanmar's military government. He served as Vice Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), the ruling military junta of Myanmar, from July 1993 to March 2011, holding the second highest-ranking position in the regime. He graduated from the Defence Services Academy in Pyin Oo Lwin and began his military career by commanding the Northeast Region in 1968, followed by the Eastern Region in 1988. His career progression included promotions to major-general in 1990 and Army Chief in 1992. In 1993, he was appointed as Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, and the following year, he assumed the role of Deputy Chairman of the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC), which later evolved into the SPDC. Despite rumours of resignation in August 2010, Maung Aye remained deputy head of state until the SPDC was dissolved on 30 March 2011 by Senior General Than Shwe, marking a significant transition in Myanmar's governance.
The Myanmar Army is the largest branch of the Tatmadaw, the armed forces of Myanmar, and has the primary responsibility of conducting land-based military operations. The Myanmar Army maintains the second largest active force in Southeast Asia after the People's Army of Vietnam. It has clashed against ethnic and political insurgents since its inception in 1948.
Senior general is the highest rank in the Tatmadaw, only held by the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services (CinCDS). Since 2011, an officer appointed as CinCDS has to be quickly promoted one higher rank every year until he get the rank of Senior general.
Min Aung Hlaing is a Burmese army general who has ruled Myanmar as the chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC) since seizing power in the February 2021 coup d'état. He additionally appointed himself Prime Minister of Myanmar in August 2021, and assumed presidential duties in July 2024. He has led the Tatmadaw, an independent branch of government, as the Commander-in-chief of Defence Services since March 2011, when he was handpicked to succeed longtime military ruler Senior General Than Shwe, who transferred leadership over the country to a civilian government upon retiring. Before assuming leadership over the Tatmadaw, Min Aung Hlaing served as Joint Chief of Staff from 2010 to 2011. Min Aung Hlaing is the first Defence Services Academy (DSA) graduate in Myanmar to lead a military coup as well as the first DSA graduate to become Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services.
Soe Win is a Burmese army general and the current Deputy Prime Minister of Myanmar. Appointed following the formation of the provisional government on 1 August 2021, he holds essential roles, including Vice Chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC), Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Tatmadaw, and Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Army. He is also a member of Myanmar's National Defence and Security Council (NDSC).
The Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services is the supreme commander of the Tatmadaw, the armed forces of Myanmar. Since a state of emergency was declared following the 2021 military coup d'état, the Commander-in-Chief has been the highest authority in the country, with plenary power delegated by the president and the National Defence and Security Council (NDSC). Even in peacetime, however, the Tatmadaw is an independent branch of government under control of the Commander-in-Chief, though certain actions of the Commander-in-Chief require the approval of the NDSC.
The Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar Army, officially the Commander-in-Chief (Army), is the highest ranking military officer of the Myanmar Army. Up until 1990, Myanmar Armed Forces has Chief of Staff system and the army was led by Vice Chief of Staff (Army). A new system was introduced in 1990 during Armed Forces reorganisation and all three branches of Armed Forces are now led by the Commander-in-Chief. The Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar Army also traditionally serves as Deputy Commander-in-Chief.
The Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services is the second highest military rank in the Tatmadaw, the armed forces of Myanmar. The Deputy Commander-in-Chief is appointed by the President, in consultation with the National Defence and Security Council, of which they are also a member. The Deputy Commander-in-Chief also traditionally serves as army commander-in-chief.
Mya Tun Oo is a Burmese army general and politician who currently serves as the Deputy Prime Minister of Myanmar and Minister of Defence of Myanmar since February 2023, prior to which he held the position of Minister of Defence and is a member of the State Administration Council (SAC) since February 2021. Mya Tun Oo is also a member of the National Defence and Security Council (NDSC) in his capacity as the Minister of Defence.
Maung Maung Kyaw is a Burmese military officer who served on Myanmar's State Administration Council from 2021 to 2023. He previously served as Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Air Force from 2018 to 2022.
Tin Aung San is a Burmese military officer who is currently serving as Deputy Prime Minister of Myanmar, member of State Administration Council (SAC) and the Minister of Defence.
The Military ranks of Myanmar are the military insignia used by the Myanmar Armed Forces, its auxiliary services, some government departments and some civilian organizations.
The Provisional Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, is the provisional government of Myanmar under the current military junta, the State Administration Council. On 1 August 2021, it replaced the Management Committee of the State Administration Council, which had been in place since 19 February 2021, following the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état. Some ministers were appointed by Min Aung Hlaing immediately following the coup on 1 February, in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services exercising emergency powers.
Zaw Myo Tin is a Burmese politician who served as chief minister of Kayah State. He is a retired Lieutenant general of Tatmadaw, the armed forces of Myanmar. He served as a legislator of Kayah State Hluttaw, minister of Security and Border Affairs of Kayah State, Commander of Regional Operations Commands (Loikaw), Commander of Naypyitaw Regional Command and Chief of Armed Forces Training.
Tun Tun Naung is a Burmese military officer and incumbent Minister of Border Affairs of Myanmar. Tun Tun Naung is a career soldier, and currently holds the rank of Lieutenant General. Since he is a Union Minister of Border Affairs, he is also a member of the Union Government and National Defence and Security Council.
Bala Sein was a well-known Burmese boxer in British Burma. He was a former champion and owner of U Ba's cup in 1932.
Ni Lin Aung is a Burmese military officer and he is currently served as Deputy Minister for Home Affairs and Chief of the Myanmar Police Force. He was a commander of the Eastern Central Command, which comprises central Shan State. Before being appointed in August 2022, he served as the commander of the Eastern Command. In February 2022, in the aftermath of the 2021 Myanmar coup d'etat, he was sanctioned by the European Union for violating human rights and committing military atrocities and abuses against civilians, particularly for his culpability in the Mo So massacre in December 2021. As of January 2022, he held the rank of Major General.
