General officer

{{Short description|Military rank}} {{Redirect|General}} {{Redirect|Generale|the 1978 song|Generale (song)}} {{More citations needed|date=May 2021}} {{Military ranks|state=expanded}}

A '''general officer''' is an officer of high rank in the armies, and in some nations' air and space forces, marines or naval infantry.{{efn|Within NATO rank structure, all branches (navy included) are referred to as general officers. In the United States, General Officers authorized to display a flag showing their rank are also called "flag officers". Refer: {{cite dictionary |title = Flag officer|dictionary= Merriam-Webster |url = http://www.merriam-webster.com/netdict/flag+officer |archive-url = https://archive.today/20120910042746/http://www.merriam-webster.com/netdict/flag+officer |url-status = dead |archive-date = September 10, 2012 }}{{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=Redalert2fan |fix-attempted=yes }}. In other usages the term "flag officer" usually applies to naval ranks such as admiral, vice-admiral, or rear-admiral.}}

In some usages, the term "general officer" refers to a rank above colonel.<ref>"general, adj. and n.". OED Online. March 2021. Oxford University Press. https://www.oed.com/view/Entry/77489?rskey=dCKrg4&result=1 (accessed May 11, 2021).</ref>

==General officer ranks== {{Unreferenced section|date=May 2021}}

The adjective ''general'' had been affixed to officer designations since the late medieval period to indicate relative superiority or an extended jurisdiction.

The various grades of general officer are at the top of the military rank structure. Lower-ranking officers are typically known as field officers or field-grade officers, and below them are company-grade officers.

=== Common systems === There are two common systems of general ranks used worldwide. In addition, there is a third system, the Arab system of ranks, which is used throughout the Middle East and North Africa.

In the old European system, general officer ranks are named by prefixing "general", as an adjective, with field officer ranks, although in some countries the highest general officers are titled field marshal or marshal.

The other is derived from the French Revolution, where generals' ranks are named according to the unit they (theoretically) command.

==== Old European system ==== {| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;" ! Field marshal or marshal |- ! ''Colonel general'' |- ! General |- ! Lieutenant general |- ! Major general |- ! ''Brigadier'' or ''brigadier general'' |}

The system uses either a ''brigadier general'' or a ''colonel general'' rank (i.e. exclude one of the italicised ranks.

==== French Revolutionary system ==== {{For|more information|Général}}

{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;" | '''Marshal''' or '''Captain general''' |- | '''Army general''' |- | '''Corps general''' |- | '''Divisional general''' |- | '''Brigade general''' |}

==== Arab system ====

{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;" ! Rank ! Transliteration ! Translation ! Notes |- style="text-align:center;" | {{lang|ar|مشير}} | {{transliteration|ar|Mushīr}} | Counsellor | align="left"| compare Counsellor of State, State Counsellor etc. compare etymology ''"mushir"'' with ''"shura"'' |- style="text-align:center;" | {{lang|ar|فريق أول}} | {{transliteration|ar|Fariq 'awal}} | First general | align="left"| equivalent to Commonwealth "full" general |- style="text-align:center;" | {{lang|ar|فريق}} | {{transliteration|ar|Fariq}} | General | align="left"| equivalent to lieutenant general |- style="text-align:center;" | {{lang|ar|لواء}} | {{transliteration|ar|liwāʾ}} | Ensign | align="left"| (more loosely "flag officer" or "banner") |- style="text-align:center;" | {{lang|ar|عميد}} | {{transliteration|ar|ʿamīd}} | Colonel (not to be confused with {{lang|ar-Latn|aqīd}}, the equivalent rank to a Commonwealth colonel) | align="left"| compare etymology with "{{lang|ar-Latn|ʿamood}}" ("column"); etymologically, translates as "colonel" but equivalent to brigadier/brigade general |}

=== Other variations === Other nomenclatures for general officers include the titles and ranks: * Adjutant general * Commandant-general * Inspector general * General-in-chief * General of the Air Force (USAF only) * General of the Armies of the United States (of America), a title created for General John J. Pershing, and subsequently granted posthumously to George Washington and Ulysses S. Grant * {{lang|de|Generaladmiral}} ("general admiral") (German Navy) * Air general and aviation general * Wing general and group general * {{lang|sr|General-potpukovnik}} ({{translation|Lieutenant colonel general}}, a Serb/Slovenian/Macedonian rank immediately inferior to colonel general, and roughly equivalent to Commonwealth/US major general) * Director general (a common administrative term sometimes used as an appointment in military services) * Director general of national defence (most senior rank in the Mexican Armed Forces) * Controller general (general officer rank in the French National Police) * Prefect general (the most senior rank of the Argentine Naval Prefecture) * Master-General of the Ordnance (very senior British military position) * Police General (most senior rank in some national police) * Commissioner (highest rank of the Bureau of Immigration)

In addition to militarily educated generals, there are also generals in medicine and engineering. The rank of the most senior chaplain, (chaplain general), is also usually considered to be a general officer rank.

==Specific rank of general== In the old European system, a general, without prefix or suffix (and sometimes referred to informally as a "'''full general'''"), is usually the most senior type of general, above lieutenant general and directly below field marshal as a four-star rank (NATO OF-9).

Usually it is the most senior peacetime rank, with more senior ranks (for example, field marshal, marshal of the air force, fleet admiral) being used only in wartime or as honorary titles.

In some armies, however, the rank of captain general, army general or colonel general occupied or occupies this position. Depending on circumstances and the army in question, these ranks may be considered to be equivalent to a "full" general or to a field marshal five-star rank (NATO OF-10).

The rank of general came about as a "captain-general", the captain of an army in general (i.e., the whole army). The rank of captain-general began appearing around the time of the organisation of professional armies in the 17th century. In most countries "captain-general" contracted to just "general".

===General ranks by country===   The following articles deal with the rank of general, or its equivalent, as it is or was employed in the militaries of those countries: * General (Australia) * General (Bangladesh) * General (Canada) * {{lang|zh-Latn|Shangjiang}} (China) – People's Republic of China (PRC) and Republic of China (ROC/Taiwan) * General (Denmark), {{lang|da|General}} * General (Estonia), {{lang|et|Kindral}} * General (Finland), {{lang|fi|Kenraali}} * General (Germany), {{lang|de|General}} * {{lang|el-Latn|Strategos}} (Greece) * General (India) * {{lang|ko-Latn|Daejang}} (North and South Korea) * {{lang|es|General (Mexico)|nocat=y}} * General (Nigeria) * General (Pakistan) * General (Poland), {{lang|pl|Generał}} * General (Sri Lanka) * General (Sweden), {{lang|sv|General}} * General (Switzerland) * General (United Kingdom) * General (United States) * General (Yugoslav People's Army)

====Army generals' insignia==== <gallery class="center"> File:13.PNA-BG.svg|{{lang|fr|Général}} {{small|({{langx|ar|عميد|Amid}})}} (Algerian People's National Army)<ref name="Algeria">{{cite web |title=Ranks |url=https://www.mdn.dz/site_principal/sommaire/presentation/armoiries_fr.php |website=mdn.dz |publisher=Ministry of National Defence (Algeria) |language=fr |access-date=30 May 2021}}</ref> File:Angola-Army-OF-9.svg|{{lang|pt|General}} (Angolan Army)<ref name="Angola_Army">{{cite web |title=Postos do Exército |url=https://faa.ao/exe/posto_exe |website=faa.ao |publisher=Angolan Army |access-date=27 June 2021 |language=pt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630164549/https://faa.ao/exe/posto_exe |archive-date=30 June 2021}}</ref> File:Australian Army OF-9.svg|General (Australian Army)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ranks |url=https://www.army.gov.au/about-us/ranks |access-date=2025-08-04 |website=Australian Army}}</ref> File:Gen OF9-Rockkragen AT.png|{{lang|de|General}} (Austrian Army)<ref name="Austria_Army">{{cite web |title=Dienstgrade |url=https://www.bundesheer.at/unser-heer/uniformen-und-abzeichen/dienstgrade-farben# |website=bundesheer.at |publisher=Federal Ministry of Defence (Austria) |access-date=25 May 2021 |language=de}}</ref> File:Bangladesh-army-OF-9.svg|{{lang|bn|জেনারেল}} {{lang|bn-Latn|Jēnārēl}} (Bangladesh Army)<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-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004045250/https://joinbangladesharmy.army.mil.bd/home/page/ranks-insignia |archive-date=4 October 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref> File:Belgium-Army-OF-9.svg|{{lang|nl|Generaal}} (Belgian Land Component)<ref name=Belgium_Army>{{cite web |title=IPR Landcomponent |url=http://www.mil.be/def/ranks/index.asp?LAN=nl&ID=1&IDS=1&IDT=3 |website=mil.be |access-date=25 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050217100130/http://www.mil.be/def/ranks/index.asp?LAN=nl&ID=1&IDS=1&IDT=3 |archive-date=17 February 2005 |language=nl}}</ref> File:19.RBrLF-GEN.svg|{{lang|ms|Jeneral}} (Royal Brunei Land Force)<ref name="Brunei_Army">{{Cite web|url=http://www.agc.gov.bn/AGC%20Images/LAWS/Gazette_PDF/2013/BM/b088.pdf|title=Akta Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei (Penggal 149)|trans-title=Royal Brunei Armed Forces Act (Chapter 149)|website=AGC.gov.bn|language=ms|publisher=Attorney General's Chambers, Prime Minister's Office, Brunei Darussalam|pages=1999-2000|date=16 December 2013|access-date=7 January 2024}}</ref> File:Rank insignia of Генерал of the Bulgarian Army.png|{{lang|bg|Генерал}} {{lang|bg-Latn|General}} (Bulgarian Army)<ref name="Bulgaria">{{cite web |title=ЗАКОН ЗА ОТБРАНАТА И ВЪОРЪЖЕНИТЕ СИЛИ НА РЕПУБЛИКА БЪЛГАРИЯ |url=https://www.lex.bg/bg/laws/ldoc/2135631954 |website=lex.bg |access-date=25 May 2021 |location=Глава седма. ВОЕННА СЛУЖБА |language=bg |date=12 May 2009}}</ref> File:Canadian Army OF-9.svg|General (Canadian Army)<ref name="Canada">{{cite web |title=Ranks and appointment |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/services/defence/caf/military-identity-system/rank-appointment-insignia.html |website=canada.ca |publisher=Government of Canada |access-date=28 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250703005627/https://www.canada.ca/en/services/defence/caf/military-identity-system/rank-appointment-insignia.html |archive-date=3 July 2025}}</ref> File:Denmark-Army-OF-9-M69-service.svg|{{lang|da|General}} (Royal Danish Army)<ref name="Denmark_Army">{{cite web |title=Hærens Gradstegn |url=https://www.forsvaret.dk/globalassets/fko---forsvaret/dokumenter/gradstegn/-plakater_gradstegn_haren_a2_okt_2021-.pdf |website=forsvaret.dk |publisher=Danish Defence |access-date=22 August 2023 |language=da |date=October 2021}}</ref> File:Timor-Leste-Army-OF-9.svg|{{lang|pt|General}} (Timor-Leste Army)<ref name="Timor-Leste_Army">{{cite web |url=http://www.timor-leste.gov.tl/mindef/Eng/Defence%20&%20Security/army.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081029085529/http://www.timor-leste.gov.tl/mindef/Eng/Defence%20&%20Security/army.htm |archive-date=29 October 2008 |title=Army ranks}}</ref> File:Estonia-Army-OF-9.svg|{{lang|et|Kindral}} (Estonian Land Forces)<ref name="Estonia_Army">{{cite web |title=Sümboolika: Maaväe Auastmed |url=https://mil.ee/kaitsevagi/kaitsevae-symboolika/#t-maavae-auastmed |website=mil.ee |publisher=Estonian Defence Forces |access-date=26 May 2021 |language=et}}</ref> File:Ethiopia-Army-OF-9 (2022).svg|{{lang|am|ጄነራል}} {{lang|am-Latn|Jēnerali}} (Ethiopian Ground Forces)<ref name="Ethiopia_Army">{{cite news |title=Ethiopia introduces its first Field Marshal rank amid changes to insignia |url=https://www.ethiopiancitizen.com/2022/01/ethiopia-introduces-first-field-marshal-amid-changes-to-insignia.html |access-date=10 January 2022 |work=ethiopiancitizen.com |date=8 January 2022}}</ref> File:Kenraali kauluslaatta.svg|{{lang|fi|Kenraali}} (Finnish Army)<ref name="Finland">{{cite web |title=Sotilasarvot Puolustusvoimissa |trans-title=Military ranks in the Defense Forces |url=https://puolustusvoimat.fi/sotilasarvot |website=puolustusvoimat.fi |publisher=Finnish Defence Forces |access-date=26 May 2021 |language=fi}}</ref> File:16.Gambian Army-GEN.svg|General (Gambian National Army) File:HD H 64 General.svg|{{lang|de|General}} (German Army)<ref name="Germany_Army">{{cite web |title=Dienstgradabzeichen Heer |url=https://www.bundeswehr.de/de/aktuelles/mediathek/dienstgradabzeichen-heer-69056 |website=bundeswehr.de |publisher=Bundeswehr |access-date=30 May 2021 |language=de}}</ref> File:16-Ghana Army-GEN.svg|General (Ghana Army) File:15. Guinea-Bissau GEN.svg|{{lang|pt|General}} (Army of Guinea-Bissau) File:General of the Indian Army.svg|{{lang|hi|जनरल}} General (Indian Army)<ref name="India_Army">{{cite web |title=Indian Army Rank Badges |url=https://www.indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=eONNmmCN+tNKI1W4lLePYA==&ParentID=07brfiSEictrT4pH/Ap2MDmEuFrOV7w+937sVMAJv7E= |website=indianarmy.nic.in |publisher=Indian Army |access-date=27 May 2021}}</ref> File:22-TNI Army-GEN.svg|{{lang|id|Jenderal}} (Indonesian Army)<ref name="Indonesia">{{cite web |title=Pangkat Harian |url=https://www.tni.mil.id/pages-39-pangkat-harian.html |website=tni.mil.id |access-date=4 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124202839/https://www.tni.mil.id/pages-39-pangkat-harian.html |publisher=Indonesian National Armed Forces |archive-date=24 November 2020 |language=id}}</ref> File:Rank insignia of generale of the Army of Italy (1973).svg|{{lang|it|Generale}} (Italian Army)<ref name="Italy_Army">{{cite web |title=i gradi dell'Esercito Italiano - distintivi di incarico e funzionali |url=http://www.esercito.difesa.it/root/equipaggiamenti/gradi_270906.pdf |website=esercito.difesa.it |publisher=Italian Army |access-date=30 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100801094145/http://www.esercito.difesa.it/root/equipaggiamenti/gradi_270906.pdf |archive-date=1 August 2010 |language=it}}</ref> File:16. Kenyan Army GEN.svg|General (Kenya Army)<ref name="Kenya">{{cite web |title=KDF Ranks |url=https://mod.go.ke/kdf-ranks/ |website=mod.go.ke |publisher=Ministry of Defence - Kenya |access-date=9 December 2022}}</ref> File:Lithuania-Army-OF-9.svg|{{lang|lt|Generolas}} (Lithuanian Land Force)<ref name="Lithuania">{{cite web|title=Krašto apsaugos sistemos karių uniformų skiriamųjų ženklų etalonų ir jų dėvėjimo tvarkos aprašo 2 priedas |trans-title=Appendix 2 describes the standards of insignia of the national defense system soldiers' uniforms and the order of their wearing |url=https://www.e-tar.lt/rs/lasupplement/f2a16ba0646e11efafbb8694c098bac5/0b0a9720650511efafbb8694c098bac5/format/ISO_PDF/ |website=Office of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania |access-date=24 October 2024 |language=lt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250119202304/https://www.e-tar.lt/rs/lasupplement/f2a16ba0646e11efafbb8694c098bac5/0b0a9720650511efafbb8694c098bac5/format/ISO_PDF/ |archive-date=19 January 2025}}</ref> File:Luxembourg-Army-OF-6.svg|{{lang|fr|Général}} (Luxembourg Army)<ref>{{cite web |title=Grades & carrières |url=https://armee.public.lu/fr/armee-luxembourgeoise/personnel/grades.html |website=Luxembourg Army |access-date=27 September 2025 |language=fr}}</ref> File:North-Macedonia-Army-OF-9.svg|{{lang|mk|Генерал}} {{lang|mk-Latn|General}} (Army of North Macedonia)<ref name="NorthMacedonia">{{cite web |title=УРЕДБА ЗА ОЗНАКИТЕ ЗА УНИФОРМИТЕ НА АРМИЈАТА НА РЕПУБЛИКА СЕВЕРНА МАКЕДОНИЈА |trans-title=Regulation on the Markings for the Uniforms of the Army of the Republic Northern of Macedonia |url=https://dejure.mk/zakon/uredba-za-oznakite-za-uniformite-na-armijata-na-republika-severna-makedonija-1 |website=dejure.mk |access-date=24 May 2021 |language=mk |date=12 November 2020}}</ref> File:16. Malawi Army - GEN.svg|General (Malawian Army)<ref name="MalawiOfficer">{{cite web |title=Commissioned Officers |url=https://mdf.gov.mw/commissioned |website=Malawi Defence Force |access-date=12 October 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250413100730/https://mdf.gov.mw/commissioned |archive-date=13 April 2025}}</ref> File:Malaysia-army-OF-9.svg|{{lang|ms|Jeneral}} (Malaysian Army)<ref name="Malaysia_Officer">{{cite web |title=Pangkat |url=http://www.mafhq.mil.my/index.php/my/mengenai-kami/kerjaya/pangkat |website=mafhq.mil.my |publisher=Malaysian Armed Forces |access-date=4 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200429231449/http://www.mafhq.mil.my/index.php/my/mengenai-kami/kerjaya/pangkat |archive-date=29 April 2020 |language=ms}}</ref> File:Mongolian Army-GEN-service.svg|{{lang|mn|Генерал}} {{lang|mn-Latn|Gyenyeral}} (Mongolian Ground Force)<ref name="Mongolia">{{cite web |author1=Chief of General Staff |author1-link=Chief of General Staff (Mongolia) |title=Order of the Chief of the General Staff: Number A / 595 |date=25 November 2019 |website=gsmaf.gov.mn |pages=20-26 |url=https://www.gsmaf.gov.mn/gsmaf/onePost/1331 |access-date=18 September 2021 |language=mn}}</ref> File:Namibia-army-OF-9.svg|General (Namibian Army)<ref name="Namibia">{{cite magazine |title=Government Notice |magazine=Government Gazette of the Republic of Namibia |date=20 August 2010 |volume=4547 |pages=99-102 |url=http://www.lac.org.na/laws/2010/4547.pdf |access-date=20 December 2021}}</ref> File:Netherlands-Army-OF-9.svg|{{lang|nl|Generaal}} (Royal Netherlands Army)<ref name="Netherlands">{{cite web |title=De rangonderscheidingstekens van de krijgsmacht |url=https://www.defensie.nl/binaries/defensie/documenten/brochures/2021/01/15/rangen-krijgsmacht/rangonderscheidingstekens.pdf |publisher=Ministry of Defence (Netherlands) |access-date=18 March 2021 |date=19 December 2016 |language=nl}}</ref> File:Nigeria-Army-OF-9.svg|General (Nigerian Army)<ref name="Nigeria">{{cite book |last1=Smaldone |first1=Joseph P. |editor1-last=Metz |editor1-first=Helen Chapin |editor-link=Helen Chapin Metz |title=Nigeria: a country study |series=Area Handbook |date=1992 |publisher=Library of Congress |location=Washington, D.C. |lccn=92009026 |pages=296-297 |edition=5th |url=https://www.loc.gov/resource/frdcstdy.nigeriacountryst00metz_0/?sp=340 |access-date=21 October 2021 |chapter=National Security}}</ref> File:Norway-Army-OF-9 service.svg|{{lang|no|General}} (Norwegian Army)<ref name="Norway">{{cite web |title=Militære grader |trans-title=Military ranks |url=https://www.forsvaret.no/om-forsvaret/uniformer-grader-medaljer/grader |website=forsvaret.no |publisher=Norwegian Armed Forces |access-date=26 November 2023 |language=no |date=13 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231126224831/https://www.forsvaret.no/om-forsvaret/uniformer-grader-medaljer/grader |archive-date=26 November 2023}}</ref> File:OF-9 Pakistan Army.svg|{{lang|ur|جنرل}} General (Pakistan Army)<ref name="Pakistan_Army">{{cite web |title=Pakistan Army Ranks with Salary and Insignia |url=https://pakistanforces.com/pakistan-army-ranks/ |website=pakistanforces.com |access-date=27 May 2021}}</ref> File:PA General.png|{{lang|fil|Heneral}} (Philippine Army)<ref name="Philippines_Army">{{cite web |title=Ranks and insignia |url=http://www.army.mil.ph/About_the_army/army/history/Ranks_and_Insignias.html |website=army.mil.ph |publisher=Philippine Army |access-date=20 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100428163644/http://www.army.mil.ph/About_the_army/army/history/Ranks_and_Insignias.html |archive-date=28 April 2010}}</ref> File:Army-POL-OF-09.svg|{{lang|pl|Generał}} (Polish Army)<ref name="Poland_Army&AirForce">{{cite web |title=Sposób noszenia odznak stopni wojskowych na umundurowaniu wojsk Lądowych i sił Powietrznych |url=https://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/iwsp/u/14/fc/14fc23f7-28a0-4a42-9ac0-287d512ffcb9/08b_oznaki_stopni_wojskowych_na_umundurowaniu_wl_i_sp_ok.pdf |website=wojsko-polskie.pl |publisher=Armed Forces Support Inspectorate |access-date=7 June 2021 |language=pl}}</ref> File:Portugal-Army-OF-9.svg|{{lang|pt|General}} (Portuguese Army)<ref name="Portugal_Army">{{cite web |title=POSTOS E DISTINTIVOS EXÉRCITO |url=http://antigo.mdn.gov.pt/defesa/Simbolos/exercito.htm |website=antigo.mdn.gov.pt |access-date=30 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100301024102/http://antigo.mdn.gov.pt/defesa/Simbolos/exercito.htm |archive-date=1 March 2010 |language=pt}}</ref> File:Romania-Army-OF-9.svg|{{lang|ro|General}} (Romanian Land Forces)<ref name="Romania">{{cite web |title=Grade militare (Military ranks) |url=https://www.defense.ro/foto/album6 |website=defense.ro |publisher=Romanian Defence Staff |access-date=1 February 2021 |language=ro}}</ref> File:16-Rwanda Army-GEN.svg|General (Rwandan Defence Forces)<ref name="Rwanda">{{cite web |title=RDF Insignia |url=https://www.mod.gov.rw/rdf/insignia |website=mod.gov.rw |publisher=Government of the Republic of Rwanda |access-date=12 June 2021}}</ref> File:18-Serbian Army-GEN.svg|{{lang|sr|Генерал}} {{lang|sr-Latn|General}} (Serbian Army)<ref name="Serbia">{{cite web |title=ЧИНОВИ У ВОЈСЦИ СРБИЈЕ |url=http://www.vs.rs/sr_cyr/o-vojsci/obelezja-i-oznake/cinovi-u-vojsci-srbije |website=vs.rs |publisher=Serbian Armed Forces |access-date=7 June 2021 |language=sr}}</ref> File:Army-SVK-OF-09.svg|{{lang|sk|Generál}} (Ground Forces of the Slovak Republic)<ref name="Slovakia">{{cite web |title=Označenie vojenských hodností príslušníkov Ozbrojených síl Slovenskej republiky od 1.1.2016 |trans-title=Designation of military ranks of members of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic from 1.1.2016 |url=http://www.vhu.sk/oznacenie-vojenskych-hodnosti-prislusnikov-ozbrojenych-sil-slovenskej-republiky-od-112016/ |website=vhu.sk |publisher=Military History Institute |access-date=12 April 2021 |language=sk}}</ref> File:21-Slovenian Army-GEN.svg|{{lang|sl|General}} (Slovenian Ground Force)<ref name="Slovenia">{{cite web |title=Čini in razredi |url=https://www.slovenskavojska.si/o-vojski/cini-in-razredi/ |website=slovenskavojska.si |publisher=Slovenian Armed Forces |access-date=26 May 2021 |language=sl}}</ref> File:SAA-OF-9.svg|General (South African Army)<ref name="SouthAfrica_Army">{{cite web |title=Uniform: Rank insignia |url=http://www.army.mil.za/aboutus/uniform/rankinsignia.htm |website=army.mil.za |publisher=Department of Defence (South Africa) |access-date=29 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020110337/http://www.army.mil.za/aboutus/uniform/rankinsignia.htm |archive-date=20 October 2020}}</ref> File:Sri Lanka-army-OF-9.svg|General (Sri Lanka Army)<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 |pages=10-4–10-11 |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> File:Sweden-Army-OF-9 (M1987).svg|{{lang|sv|General}} (Swedish Army)<ref name="Sweden">{{cite web |title=Försvarsmaktens Gradbeteckningar |url=https://www.forsvarsmakten.se/siteassets/2-om-forsvarsmakten/dokument/publikationer/aff-gradbeteckningar.pdf |website=Försvarsmakten |publisher=Swedish Armed Forces |access-date=13 March 2024 |language=sv |date=2 January 2014}}</ref> File:CHE OF9 General.svg|{{lang|de|General}} (Swiss Land Forces)<ref name="Switzerland">{{cite web |title=Gradabzeichen und Farben der Achselschlaufen |url=https://www.vtg.admin.ch/de/die-schweizer-armee/mittel/militaerische-abzeichen/gradabzeichen-und-farben-der-achselschlaufen.html#ui-collapse-234 |website=vtg.admin.ch |publisher=Swiss Army |access-date=27 May 2021 |language=de}}</ref> File:17-Tanzania Army-GEN.svg|{{lang|sw|Jenerali}} (Tanzanian Army) File:Uganda-Army-OF-9 (2019).svg|General (Ugandan Land Forces)<ref name="Uganda">{{cite journal |title=Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces Act |journal=The Uganda Gazette |date=18 September 2019 |volume=CXII |issue=46 |pages=1851-1854 |url=https://www.updf.go.ug/Gazette.pdf |access-date=29 May 2021 |publisher=Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721023139/https://www.updf.go.ug/Gazette.pdf |archive-date=21 July 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref> File:Погон генерала ЗСУ (2020).svg|{{lang|uk|Генерал}} {{lang|uk-Latn|Heneral}} (Ukrainian Ground Forces)<ref name="Ukraine">{{cite web |script-title=uk:Наказ від 04.11.2020 № 398 |title=Nakaz vid 04.11.2020 № 398 |trans-title=Order dated 04.11.2020 No. 398 |url=https://ips.ligazakon.net/document/RE35513?an=1 |website=ips.ligazakon.net |publisher=Ministry of Justice of Ukraine |access-date=13 January 2024 |language=uk |date=4 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924194513/https://ips.ligazakon.net/document/RE35513?an=1 |archive-date=24 September 2024}}</ref> File:British Army OF-9.svg|General (British Army)<ref name="UK_Army">{{cite web |title=Rank structure |url=https://www.army.mod.uk/learn-and-explore/ranks |website=army.mod.uk |publisher=British Army |access-date=27 May 2021}}</ref> File:US Army O10 (Army greens).svg|General (U.S. Army)<ref name="US_Army">{{cite web |title=U.S. Army Ranks |url=https://www.army.mil/ranks/ |website=army.mil |publisher=United States Army |access-date=27 May 2021}}</ref> File:blank.svg|General (Zambian Army)<ref name="Zambia_Army">{{cite web |last1=Munamunungu |first1=Hamwiinde |title=Understanding Military Ranks |url=https://zambianobserver.com/understanding-military-ranks/ |website=Zambian Observer |access-date=20 December 2024 |date=1 May 2023}}</ref> File:Zimbabwe-Army-OF-9.svg|General (Zimbabwe National Army)<ref name="ZimbabweOfficer">{{cite book |last1=Ehrenreich |first1=Frederick |editor1-last=Nelson |editor1-first=Harold D. |title=Zimbabwe: a Country Study |series=Area Handbook |date=1983 |publisher=Library of Congress |location=Washington, D.C. |lccn=83-11946 |page=267 |edition=3rd |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=D3R0AAAAMAAJ&redir_esc=y |access-date=5 July 2022 |chapter=National Security}}</ref> </gallery>

====Air force generals' insignia==== <gallery class="center"> File:16.ANAF-GEN.svg|{{lang|pt|General}} (National Air Force of Angola) File:BE-Air Force-OF9.svg|{{lang|nl-BE|Generaal}} (Belgian Air Component) File:19.RBrAF-GEN.svg|{{lang|ms|Jeneral (Udara)}} (Royal Brunei Air Force) File:Rank insignia of Генерал of the Bulgarian Air forces.png|{{lang|bg|Генерал}} {{lang|bg-Latn|General}} (Bulgarian Air Force) File:Canada-Air force-OF-9-collected.svg|General (Royal Canadian Air Force) File:General del Aire FACH.png|{{lang|es|General de aire}} (Chilean Air Force) File:Colombia-AirForce-OF-9.svg|{{lang|es|General de aire}} (Colombian Air Force) File:RDAF-OF-9 Sleeve.svg|{{lang|da|General}} (Royal Danish Air Force) File:17.Ecuadorian Air Force-GEN.svg|{{lang|es|General del aire}} (Ecuadorian Air Force) File:Estonia-AirForce-OF-9.svg|{{lang|et|Kindral}} (Estonian Air Force) File:Finland-AirForce-OF-9.svg|{{lang|fi|Kenraali}} (Finnish Air Force) File:Georgia Air Force OF-10.png|{{lang|ka|გენერალი}} {{lang|ka-Latn|Generali}} (Georgian Air Force) File:LD B 64 General.svg|{{lang|de|General}} (German Air Force) File:16. Kenyan Air Force GEN.svg|General (Kenya Air Force) File:Malaysia-Air Force-OF-9.svg|{{lang|ms|Jeneral}} (Royal Malaysian Air Force) File:Mongolian Army-GEN-service.svg|{{lang|mn|Генерал}} {{lang|mn-Latn|General}} (Mongolian Air Force) File:Netherlands-AirForce-OF-9.svg|{{lang|nl|Generaal}} (Royal Netherlands Air Force) File:Norway-air force-OF-9.svg|{{lang|no|General}} (Royal Norwegian Air Force) File:Peru-AirForce-OF-9.svg|{{lang|es|General del aire}} (Peruvian Air Force) File:PAF GEN Svc.svg|{{lang|fil|Heneral}} (Philippine Air Force) File:Rank insignia of generał of the Air Force of Poland.svg|{{lang|pl|Generał}} (Polish Air Force) File:Portugal-AirForce-OF-9.svg|{{lang|pt|General}} (Portuguese Air Force) File:Romania-AirForce-OF-9.svg|{{lang|ro|General}} (Romanian Air Force) File:16-Rwanda Air Force-GEN.svg|General (Rwandan Air Force) File:18-Serbian Air Force-GEN.svg|{{lang|sr|Генерал}} {{lang|sr-Latn|General}} (Serbian Air Force and Air Defence) File:SVK-Air Force-OF-09.svg|{{lang|sk|Generál}} (Slovak Air Force) File:SAAF-OF-9.svg|General (South African Air Force) File:SP-09 General del Aire.svg|{{lang|es|General del aire}} (Spanish Air and Space Force) File:Sweden-AirForce-OF-9.svg|{{lang|sv|General}} (Swedish Air Force) File:17-Tanzania Air Force-GEN.svg|General (Tanzania Air Force Command) File:Turkey-air-force-OF-9a.svg|{{lang|tr|Orgeneral}} (Turkish Air Force) File:Uganda-AirForce-OF-9.svg|General (Ugandan Air Force) File:Ukraine-AirForce-OF-9 (2020).svg|{{lang|uk|Генерал}} {{lang|uk-Latn|Heneral}} (Ukrainian Air Force) File:US Air Force O10 shoulderboard.svg|General (US Air Force) File:Uruguay-AirForce-OF-9.svg|General del aire (Uruguayan Air Force) </gallery>

====Naval infantry generals' insignia==== <gallery class="center"> File:Generic-Navy-O12.svg|{{lang|es|General}} (Colombian Naval Infantry) File:22-TNI Navy-ADM.svg|{{lang|id|Jenderal (Marinir)}} (Indonesian Marine Corps) File:Maldives Army OF-9.svg|{{lang|dv|ޖެނެރަލް}} General (Maldivian Marine Corps) File:Netherlands-Navy-OF-9.svg|{{lang|nl|Generaal}} (Netherlands Marine Corps) File:Sweden-Navy-OF-9.svg|{{lang|sv|General}} (Swedish Amphibious Corps) File:British Royal Marines OF-9.svg|General (Royal Marines) File:US Marine 10 shoulderboard vertical.svg|General (US Marine Corps) </gallery>

==Air force and naval equivalents== Some countries (such as the United States) use the general officer ranks for both the army and the air force, as well as their marine corps; other states only use the general officer ranks for the army, while in the air force they use air officers as the equivalent of general officers. They use the air force rank of air chief marshal as the equivalent of the specific army rank of general. This latter group includes the British Royal Air Force and many current and former Commonwealth air forces—e.g. Royal Australian Air Force, Indian Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Nigerian Air Force, Pakistan Air Force, etc.

In most navies, flag officers are the equivalent of general officers, and the naval rank of admiral is equivalent to the specific army rank of general. A noteworthy historical exception was the Cromwellian naval rank "general at sea". In recent years in the American service there is a tendency to use ''flag officer'' and ''flag rank'' to refer to generals and admirals of the services collectively.

== Notes == {{Notelist}}

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == {{Wiktionary}} * [http://www.generals.dk/ Generals of World War II] * [http://schema-root.org/region/americas/north_america/usa/government/branches/executive/departments/defense/personnel/generals/ Schema-root.org: US Generals] News feeds for US Generals in the news *[https://www.marines.mil/genbios2.nsf/bio+Main/ Marines.mil: General Officer Biographies] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080318124328/http://www.marines.mil/genbios2.nsf/bio+Main/ |date=2008-03-18 }} Biographies of US Marine Corps General Officers * [http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-generals-of-western-history.php Bios & Information on Generals of Western History] Information on 10 Generals who influenced Western History

{{DEFAULTSORT:General Officer}} Category:Generals Category:Military ranks