I'm trying to get a better grasp on military structures and positions. Is the rank of 'general' unique to a specific branch of the military, or does it span across multiple branches?
The term 'General' is indeed used across multiple branches of the U.S. military, but its specific usage varies. In the Army, Air Force, and Marines, a 'General' is a four-star rank, and it's one of the highest ranks a service member can achieve. The equivalent rank in the Navy is Admiral.
Each branch also has several sub-ranks that use the term 'General'. For example, the Army and Air Force have ranks such as Brigadier General, Major General, and Lieutenant General. The Marine Corps uses similar nomenclature.
In contrast, the Navy doesn't use the term 'General' but has ranks like Rear Admiral, Vice Admiral, and Admiral which serve similar functions.
So, while the term 'General' isn't unique to a single branch, the specifics concerning the rank can differ depending on the branch of service. Additionally, the particular roles and responsibilities a general holds can greatly vary based on their specialization, command assignment, and operational demands.
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