{{Short description|Terminology for general and flag officers}} {{hatnote|Several terms redirect here. For the star rating (i.e. 3 out of 5 stars), see Star (classification)}} {{Military ranks | state=expanded}} '''Military star ranking''' is military terminology, used in mainly English speaking countries, to describe general and flag officer/admirals. Within NATO's armed forces, the stars are equal to OF-6–10.<ref>{{cite book |author1= |title=Extract of STANAG 2116 (Ed. 3) |date=October 1975 |publisher=Chief of the Royal Danish Navy |location=Vedbaek, Denmark |url=http://www.marinehist.dk/orlogsbib/n/NATO-Grad.pdf |page=2 |archive-date=14 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014143755/http://www.marinehist.dk/orlogsbib/n/NATO-Grad.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>
== Star ranking ==
=== One-star === A one-star rank is usually the lowest ranking general or flag officer.<ref>{{cite web |title=One-star |url=https://www.lexico.com/definition/one-star |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224210652/https://www.lexico.com/definition/one-star |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 24, 2021 |website=lexico.com |publisher=Oxford University Press |access-date=24 March 2022}}</ref> In many Commonwealth countries, the one-star army rank of Brigadier is considered the highest field officer rank.<ref name="UK_Army" />
=== Two-star === A two-star rank is usually the second lowest ranking general or flag officer.<ref>{{cite web |title=Two-star |url=https://www.lexico.com/definition/two-star |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324164150/https://www.lexico.com/definition/two-star |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 24, 2022 |website=lexico.com |publisher=Oxford University Press |access-date=24 March 2022}}</ref>
=== Three-star === A three-star rank is usually the second or third highest general or flag officer.<ref>{{cite web |title=Three-star |url=https://www.lexico.com/definition/three-star |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301132329/https://www.lexico.com/definition/three-star |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 1, 2021 |website=lexico.com |publisher=Oxford University Press |access-date=24 March 2022}}</ref>
=== Four-star === A four-star rank is usually the highest or second highest ranking general or flag officer.<ref>{{cite web |title=Four-star |url=https://www.lexico.com/definition/four-star |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923223507/https://www.lexico.com/definition/four-star |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 23, 2020 |website=lexico.com |publisher=Oxford University Press |access-date=24 March 2022}}</ref>
=== Five-star === A five-star rank is usually the highest ranking general or flag officer.<ref>{{cite web |title=Five-star |url=https://www.lexico.com/definition/five-star |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324164151/https://www.lexico.com/definition/five-star |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 24, 2022 |website=lexico.com |publisher=Oxford University Press |access-date=24 March 2022}}</ref> This rank is usually a field marshal, general of the army, admiral of the fleet or marshal of the air force.
=== Proposed six-star === {{Main|Six-star rank}} In the United States Armed Forces, a '''six-star rank''' is a proposed rank immediately superior to a five-star rank, possibly to be worn by the General of the Armies or Admiral of the Navy. This proposal has not been officially recognized by the military or Congress.<!---this is the lead from the linked article--->
== List of countries == {{clear}} {| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px; text-align:center;" |- style="background-color:#CCCCCC; text-align:center;" ! Star rank || colspan=2| Five-star rank || colspan=2| Four-star rank || colspan=2| Three-star rank || colspan=2| Two-star rank || colspan=2| One-star rank || {{abbr|Ref.|References}}{{efn|name=Star|Upper references are the Star ranking. Lower references are the insignia.}} |- | rowspan=2|'''{{anchor|Australia}}{{army|Australia}}''' | colspan=2| 50px | colspan=2| 50px | colspan=2| 50px | colspan=2| 50px | colspan=2| 50px | rowspan=2| <ref name="Australia1">{{cite web |title=Commissioned Officer Ranks |url=https://www.army.gov.au/our-people/ranks/commissioned-officer-ranks |website=army.gov.au |publisher=Australian Army |access-date=13 December 2021 |archive-date=15 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315071131/https://www.army.gov.au/our-people/ranks/commissioned-officer-ranks |url-status=live}}</ref><br /><ref name="Australia2">{{cite web |title=Badges of rank |url=https://www.navy.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/ADF_badges_of_rank.pdf |website=navy.gov.au |publisher=Royal Australian Navy |access-date=28 July 2022 |archive-date=13 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813173950/https://www.navy.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/ADF_badges_of_rank.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref> |- | colspan=2| Field marshal | colspan=2| General | colspan=2| Lieutenant general | colspan=2| Major general | colspan=2| Brigadier |- | rowspan=2| '''{{naval|Australia}}''' | 50px | 50px | 50px | 50px | 50px | 50px | 50px | 50px | 50px | 50px | rowspan=2| <ref name="Australia1" /><br /><ref name="Australia2" /> |- | colspan=2| Admiral of the fleet | colspan=2| Admiral | colspan=2| Vice admiral | colspan=2| Rear admiral | colspan=2| Commodore |- | rowspan=2| '''{{air force|Australia}}''' | colspan=2| 50px | colspan=2| 50px | colspan=2| 50px | colspan=2| 50px | colspan=2| 50px | rowspan=2| <ref name="Australia1" /><br /><ref name="Australia2" /> |- | colspan=2| Marshal of the RAAF | colspan=2| Air chief marshal | colspan=2| Air marshal | colspan=2| Air vice-marshal | colspan=2| Air commodore |- style="background-color:#CCCCCC;" ! Star rank || colspan=2| Five-star rank || colspan=2| Four-star rank || colspan=2| Three-star rank || colspan=2| Two-star rank || colspan=2| One-star rank || {{abbr|Ref.|References}}{{efn|name=Star}} |- | rowspan=2| '''{{army|Bangladesh}}''' | colspan=2 rowspan=2| | colspan=2| 50px | colspan=2| 50px | colspan=2| 50px | colspan=2| 50px | rowspan=2| <ref name="Bangladesh_Army">{{cite web |title=Ranks & insignia |url=https://joinbangladesharmy.army.mil.bd/home/page/ranks-insignia |website=joinbangladesharmy.army.mil.bd |access-date=11 October 2020 |archive-date=24 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924041014/https://joinbangladesharmy.army.mil.bd/home/page/ranks-insignia |url-status=live}}</ref><br />– |- | colspan=2| General<br />{{lang|bn|জেনারেল}} | colspan=2| Lieutenant general<br />{{lang|bn|লেফটেন্যান্ট জেনারেল}} | colspan=2| Major general<br />{{lang|bn|মেজর জেনারেল}} | colspan=2| Brigadier general<br />{{lang|bn|ব্রিগেডিয়ার জেনারেল}} |- | rowspan=2| '''{{navy|Bangladesh}}''' | colspan=2 rowspan=2| | 44px | 50px | 44px | 50px | 44px | 50px | colspan=2| 50px | rowspan=2| <ref name="Bangladesh_Army" /><br /><ref>{{cite web |title=Rank of Navy & Equivalent Rank |url=http://navy.mil.bd/rank.php |website=navy.mil.bd |publisher=Bangladesh Navy |access-date=28 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170627145930/http://navy.mil.bd/rank.php |archive-date=27 June 2017}}</ref> |- | colspan=2| Admiral | colspan=2| Vice admiral | colspan=2| Rear admiral | colspan=2| Commodore |- | rowspan=2| '''{{air force|Bangladesh}}''' | colspan=2 rowspan=2| <!--None--> | colspan=2| 50px | colspan=2| 50px | colspan=2| 50px | colspan=2| 50px | rowspan=2| <ref name="Bangladesh_Army" /><br /><ref>{{cite web |title=Officer's ranks |url=http://www.joinbangladeshairforce.mil.bd/index.php/main_controll/ranks_structure_baf?1=1&pagemenu=ranks_structure_baf&submenu=1&leafsub=0 |website=joinbangladeshairforce.mil.bd |access-date=11 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219212643/http://www.joinbangladeshairforce.mil.bd/index.php/main_controll/ranks_structure_baf?1=1&pagemenu=ranks_structure_baf&submenu=1&leafsub=0 |archive-date=19 February 2020}}</ref> |- | colspan=2| Air chief marshal | colspan=2| Air marshal | colspan=2| Air vice-marshal | colspan=2| Air commodore |- style="background-color:#CCCCCC;" ! Star rank || colspan=2| Five-star rank || colspan=2| Four-star rank || colspan=2| Three-star rank || colspan=2| Two-star rank || colspan=2| One-star rank || {{abbr|Ref.|References}}{{efn|name=Star}} |- | rowspan=2|{{anchor|Pakistan}}'''{{army|Pakistan}}''' | colspan=2| 50px | colspan=2| 50px | colspan=2| 50px | colspan=2| 50px | colspan=2| 50px | rowspan=2| <ref name="Pakistan">{{cite web |title=Inter Service Ranks |url=https://paf.gov.pk/#/ranks |website=paf.gov.pk |publisher=Pakistan Air Force Official Website |access-date=18 August 2022 |archive-date=26 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826081717/https://paf.gov.pk/#/ranks |url-status=dead}}</ref><br />– |- | colspan=2| Field marshal<br />{{lang|ur|فیلڈ مارشل}} | colspan=2| General<br />{{lang|ur|جنرل}} | colspan=2| Lieutenant general<br />{{lang|ur|لیفٹیننٹ جنرل}} | colspan=2| Major general<br />{{lang|ur|میجر جنرل}} | colspan=2| Brigadier<br />{{lang|ur|بریگیڈیئر}} |- | rowspan=2| '''{{navy|Pakistan}}''' | colspan=2 rowspan=2| | 50px | 50px | 50px | 50px | 50px | 50px | 50px | 50px | rowspan=2| <ref name="Pakistan"/><br />– |- | colspan=2| Admiral<br />{{lang|ur|ایڈمرل}} | colspan=2| Vice admiral<br />{{lang|ur|وائس ایڈمرل}} | colspan=2| Rear admiral<br />{{lang|ur|بحریہ کا امیر}} | colspan=2| Commodore<br />{{lang|ur|کموڈور}} |- | rowspan=2| '''{{air force|Pakistan}}''' | colspan=2 rowspan=2| | colspan=2| 50px | colspan=2| 50px | colspan=2| 50px | colspan=2| 50px | rowspan=2| <ref name="Pakistan"/><br />– |- | colspan=2| Air chief marshal | colspan=2| Air marshal | colspan=2| Air vice marshal | colspan=2| Air commodore |- style="background-color:#CCCCCC;" ! Star rank || colspan=2| Five-star rank || colspan=2| Four-star rank || colspan=2| Three-star rank || colspan=2| Two-star rank || colspan=2| One-star rank || {{abbr|Ref.|References}}{{efn|name=Star}} |- | rowspan=2| '''{{army|Sri Lanka}}''' | colspan=2| 50px | colspan=2| 50px | colspan=2| 50px | colspan=2| 50px | colspan=2| 50px | rowspan=2| <ref name="SriLanka_Army">{{cite web |title=Dress Regulation PDF – Part I |url=https://www.army.lk/sites/all/themes/bootstrap/common/images/images2/downloads/Dress-regulation-2019-PART-I.pdf |website=army.lk |publisher=Sri Lanka Army |page=11-1 |date=January 2019 |access-date=20 May 2021 |archive-date=23 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423112420/https://www.army.lk/sites/all/themes/bootstrap/common/images/images2/downloads/Dress-regulation-2019-PART-I.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref><br /><ref name="SriLanka_Navy" /> |- | colspan=2| Field marshal | colspan=2| General | colspan=2| Lieutenant general | colspan=2| Major general | colspan=2| Brigadier |- | rowspan=2| '''{{naval|Sri Lanka}}''' | colspan=2| 50px | 50px | 50px | 50px | 50px | 50px | 50px | colspan=2| 50px | rowspan=2| <ref name="SriLanka_Army" /><br /><ref name="SriLanka_Navy">{{cite web |title=Branches/ Ranks |url=https://www.navy.lk/branches-ranks.html |website=navy.lk |publisher=Sri Lanka Navy |access-date=24 September 2021 |archive-date=19 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619063013/https://www.navy.lk/branches-ranks.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> |- | colspan=2| Admiral of the fleet | colspan=2| Admiral | colspan=2| Vice admiral | colspan=2| Rear admiral | colspan=2| Commodore |- | rowspan=2| '''{{air force|Sri Lanka}}''' | colspan=2| 50px | colspan=2| 50px | colspan=2| 50px | colspan=2| 50px | colspan=2| 50px | rowspan=2| <ref name="SriLanka_Army" /><br /><ref name="SriLanka_Navy" /> |- | colspan=2| Marshal of the Air Force | colspan=2| Air Chief Marshal | colspan=2| Air Marshal | colspan=2| Air Vice-Marshal | colspan=2| Air Commodore |- style="background-color:#CCCCCC;" ! Star rank || colspan=2| Five-star rank || colspan=2| Four-star rank || colspan=2| Three-star rank || colspan=2| Two-star rank || colspan=2| One-star rank || {{abbr|Ref.|References}}{{efn|name=Star}} |- | rowspan=2| '''{{army|United Kingdom}}''' | colspan=2| 50px|Field marshal | colspan=2| 50px|General | colspan=2| 50px|Lieutenant-general | colspan=2| 50px|Major-general | colspan=2| 50px|Brigadier | rowspan=2| <ref name="UK_Army">{{cite web |title=Rank structure |url=https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/our-people/ranks/ |website=army.mod.uk |publisher=British Army |access-date=27 May 2021 |archive-date=6 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406102013/https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/our-people/ranks/ |url-status=live}}</ref><br />– |- | colspan=2| Field marshal | colspan=2| General | colspan=2| Lieutenant-general | colspan=2| Major-general | colspan=2| Brigadier |- | rowspan=2| '''{{navy|United Kingdom}}''' | 50px | 50px | 50px | 50px | 50px | 50px | 50px | 50px | 50px | 50px | rowspan=2| <ref name="UK_Army" /><br /><ref name="UK_Navy">{{cite web |title=Shaping your career |url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers/navy-life/shaping-your-career |website=royalnavy.mod.uk |publisher=Royal Navy |access-date=24 September 2021 |archive-date=28 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928204526/https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers/navy-life/shaping-your-career |url-status=live}}</ref> |- | colspan=2| Admiral of the Fleet | colspan=2| Admiral | colspan=2| Vice admiral | colspan=2| Rear admiral | colspan=2| Commodore |- | rowspan=2 | '''{{air force|United Kingdom}}''' | 50px | 50px | 50px | 50px | 50px | 50px | 50px | 50px | 50px | 50px | rowspan=2| <ref name="UK_Army" /><br /><ref name="UK_AirForce">{{cite web |title=RAF Ranks |url=https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/raf-ranks/ |website=raf.mod.uk/ |publisher=Royal Air Force |access-date=21 September 2021 |archive-date=6 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006100626/https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/raf-ranks/ |url-status=live}}</ref> |- | colspan=2| Marshal of the RAF | colspan=2| Air chief marshal | colspan=2| Air marshal | colspan=2| Air vice-marshal | colspan=2| Air commodore |- style="background-color:#CCCCCC;" ! Star rank || colspan=2| Five-star rank || colspan=2| Four-star rank || colspan=2| Three-star rank || colspan=2| Two-star rank || colspan=2| One-star rank || {{abbr|Ref.|References}}{{efn|name=Star}} |- | rowspan=2| '''{{army|United States}}''' | colspan=2| 50px | colspan=2| 50px | colspan=2| 50px | colspan=2| 50px | colspan=2| 50px | rowspan=2| <ref name="UnitedStates">{{cite web |title=Navy Officer Ranks |url=https://www.military.com/navy/officer-ranks.html#:~:text=A%20one-star%20rank%2C%20it%20is%20the%20first%20of,may%20be%20assigned%20as%20deputies%20to%20larger%20commands. |website=military.com |access-date=28 July 2022 |archive-date=24 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211224171610/https://www.military.com/navy/officer-ranks.html#:~:text=A%20one-star%20rank%2C%20it%20is%20the%20first%20of,may%20be%20assigned%20as%20deputies%20to%20larger%20commands. |url-status=live}}</ref><br /><ref name="Dod_Ranks">{{cite web |title=U.S. Military Rank Insignia |url=https://www.war.gov/Resources/Insignia/ |url-status=live |access-date=13 January 2022 |website=United States Department of Defense |publisher=Department of Defense |archive-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113093016/https://www.defense.gov/Resources/Insignia/}}</ref> |- | colspan=2| General of the Army | colspan=2| General | colspan=2| Lieutenant general | colspan=2| Major general | colspan=2| Brigadier general |- | rowspan=3| '''{{navy|United States}}''' | colspan=2| 65px | colspan=2| 100px | colspan=2| 80px | colspan=2| 65px | colspan=2| 35px | rowspan=3| <ref name="UnitedStates" /><br /><ref name="Dod_Ranks" /> |- | 50px | 50px | 50px | 50px | 50px | 50px | 50px | 50px | 50px | 50px |- | colspan=2| Fleet admiral | colspan=2| Admiral | colspan=2| Vice admiral | colspan=2| Rear admiral | colspan=2| Rear admiral<br />(lower half) |- | rowspan=2| '''{{air force|United States}}''' | colspan=2| 50px | colspan=2| 50px | colspan=2| 50px | colspan=2| 50px | colspan=2| 50px | rowspan=2| <ref name="UnitedStates" /><br /><ref name="Dod_Ranks" /> |- | colspan=2| General of the Air Force | colspan=2| General | colspan=2| Lieutenant general | colspan=2| Major general | colspan=2| Brigadier general |- style="background-color:#CCCCCC;" ! Star rank || colspan=2| Five-star rank || colspan=2| Four-star rank || colspan=2| Three-star rank || colspan=2| Two-star rank || colspan=2| One-star rank || {{abbr|Ref.|References}}{{efn|name=Star}} |}
== See also == * Star (classification) * Highest military ranks * Ranks and insignia of NATO
== Notes == {{notelist}}
== References == {{Reflist}}
{{Star officer ranks}} {{Highest Military Ranks}}
Category:Military ranks Category:Five-star officers Category:Four-star officers Category:Three-star officers Category:Two-star officers Category:One-star officers