General
General ishigh military rank,most nationshighest rank, although some nations referhigh-ranking generals as Field Marshals. The titleused by landsometimes air forces. Innavies ofworld,rankadmiralequivalent. It may also appear asterm "general officer".The term began appearing aroundtime oforganizationprofessional armies in1600s. At firstwas added as an adjectiveexisting namesranks, yielding "Captain-General", "Lieutenant-General" andlike, useddistinguishruler's most important officersusually made up as neededindividuals, often involvingcertain amountnegotiation over precedence. Later, as partfurther professionalization efforts, some ofterms, such as "Major-General" (originally "Sergeant-Major-General"), were assignedspecific ranks.
InUnited States Armed Forces, "General" may mean either any rankgeneral officer, orhighest regular rank, whichusually referredas full general, or four-star general, if necessaryidentifyspecifically. The different ranksgeneralidentified bynumberstars worn;General ofArmy wears five stars,General four stars,Lieutenant General three stars,Major General two stars, andBrigadier General one star.
See also
Generalalsotitle ofleader ofSalvation Army religious groupofJesuits.
