My Grandpa was in the military during World War 2, and he was a Private but he ranked up to I believe a Corporal, or Colonel. I can't quite remember. But point is: How do you rank up in the military and achieve it, and what is the highest rank in the military?
Grillparzer
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General of the Armies is the highest military rank and it has been held by only two individuals; George Washington and Blackjack Pershing. That rank however is unlikely to ever be awarded again, so the next highest is General of the Army. This rank is only awarded during wartime, the last person to hold it was Omar Bradley. For all practical purposes, the third highest rank, General, is as high as a person can get promoted. Attend a military academy, spend thirty years in the Army, see combat and survive, advance your military education and you might stand a chance.
Chris A
In the Army, that would be General of the Armies. There have only ever been two, and one was appointed such almost 200 years after he died. The Naval equivalent is the Admiral of the Navy; there has only ever been one, and the rank was disestablished with his death. Somewhat more common, although there are none today, are Fleet Admirals and Generals of the Army. There were four and five of those, respectively, and one was converted to a General of the Air Force. It is highly unlikely that these five-star ranks would be revived outside a major war. The highest rank currently attainable is O-10, the four-star general or admiral.
One does not "rank up" in the military. One is promoted. Let's look at a four-star general's career to see how one might be promoted to this rank. In addition to the various commands he has held, he was a distinguished honor graduate at USMA, earned an MPA and PhD from Princeton, was a top graduate from the Command and General Staff College, and has a number of badges and a Ranger tab.
?
We call it getting promoted as opposed to "rank up". Starting as a Private and ending as a Colonel is very admirable and back during WWI and WWII it was very common for Battlefield Commissions to be awarded whereas University was not required. Here's the rank structure of the US Military:
Army/Marines/Air Force Navy
2nd Lieutenant Ensign
1st Lieutenant Lieutenant Junior Grade
Captain Lieutenant
Major Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Colonel Commander
Colonel Captain
Brigadier General (1-star) Rear Admiral Lower Half (1-star)
Major General (2-star) Rear Admiral Upper Half
Lieutenant General (3-star) Vice Admiral
General (4-star) Admiral
Dennis F
General of the Armies (unofficially six xtars)is an Honorary title given to George Washington, so that he will ALWAYS be the highest ranking officer.
General of Army, Air Force, Fleet Adm. (five stars) war time rank only.
General (four stars) is the highest currently, by law the Chairman of Joint Chiefs is the highest ranking officer in the Military.
Commander in Chief, IS NOT a military rank. It is a title.
Anonymous
The rank of General is the highest rank in the US Army. Fleet Admiral in the US Navy (need a major war to achieve this, otherwise just Admiral). General of the Air Forces ... for you guessed it the Air Force (USA).
You earn ranks from having skills, intelligence, attending training, loyalty, hard work, commitment, serving with honour, field skills (experience), etc etc ... as with most career advancements (just in a military sense).