The U.S. Code explicitly limits the total number of four-star officers that may be on active duty at any given time. The total number of active-duty general or flag officers is capped at … See more

Any billet in the armed forces may be designated as a position of importance requiring the position holder to be of three-star or four-star rank. One-star and two-star billets may be … See more

The standard tour length for most four-star positions is three years, bundled as a two-year term plus a one-year extension, with the following exceptions:
• The chairman and vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff serve for a nominal four-year term. See more

• List of United States military leaders by rank
• List of United States Army four-star generals
• List of United States Marine Corps four-star generals
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Four-star rank and grade, are temporary in nature; officers may only achieve four stars if they are appointed to positions that require or allow the officer to hold the rank. Their rank expires with the expiration of their term of office, which is usually set by statute. Four-star … See more

Other than voluntary retirement, statute sets a number of mandates for retirement. Regular four-star officers must retire after 40 years of active commissioned service unless reappointed … See more

1. ^ The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 elevated the vice chief of the National Guard Bureau to the grade of general.
2. ^ Historically, the Director of Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program is held by an officer in the Navy, … See more