Okay, so I'm a junior trying to learn more about potentially joining the military after grad. I've heard of the rank 'Marshal', but I'm not sure which branch it belongs to. Does anyone out there have the scoop?
The rank of 'Marshal' does not exist in the United States military. It could be that you're thinking of Field Marshal, which is a rank used in some foreign militaries but not in the U.S.
For instance, in the British army, Field Marshal is the highest attainable rank, usually awarded in times of war or on retirement to the highest-ranking General. It's equivalent in other branches to ranks such as Admiral of the Fleet (Royal Navy) or Marshal of the Royal Air Force.
In the U.S., the highest rank across most branches is General (Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps) or Admiral (Navy). These ranks are then broken down further into one star (Brigadier General in Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, or Rear Admiral Lower Half in the Navy), two stars (Major General or Rear Admiral), three stars (Lieutenant General or Vice Admiral), and four stars (General or Admiral).
Remember, each branch of the military has its own unique structure and ranking, reflecting different roles, responsibilities, and areas of specialty within each service. It's important to research these specific structures if you're considering joining a particular service, as they can provide valuable insights into potential career paths and progression.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.