How does a General rank up?
I'm in JROTC and MSgt.Clere was talking about the ranks in AFROTC and he said the highest it went was Col. because the way you rank up for General is different. I want to know how its different.
Update:I don't play video games. Thats how Col.Pittman and MSgt.Clere put it.
Comments
Because Flag officer posts are approved by Congress.
The word is "promoted." If you are even considering a military career I suggest putting the video game console up on Craigslist and getting outside to work out.
Flag officers (Generals and Admirals) are outside the usual promotion system. Up through O-6, promotions for officers are based on favorable evaluational from superiors, completion of appropriate service schools like CGS and the War College, and successfully serving in a variety of command and staff assignments. There also has to be a slot for you at the next rank. A lot of good Lieutenant Colonels are passed over for promotion to "full bird" twice and retire simply due to the lack of available slots for Colonels.
To become a Brigadier General or Rear Admiral (Lower Half) requires not only the above criteria, but the approval of Congress. Flag officers have great power, and usually act as diplomats as well as war leaders. Getting your star is the hardest hurdle most officers will ever face. Being a Flag officer means more contact with the National Command Authority as well as Congress, so a good political sense is important.
For a ROTC program, the ranks go only so far because there is no comparable position in their organization to a general. Even at the USAF Academy the highest cadet ranks are Cadet Colonels.
Generals get promoted from a delicate process
a 4 star general plans to retire and Congress begins looking for a suitable candidate with enough experience to take their place. Then a change of command ceremony takes place. The new general will take his new position while the old general will just go fishing.
you don't "Rank up" ever. Quit playing so many video games. You get promoted.
It's the same process from 1 star to 4, just a ton more political.