Just want to know if anyone is in the Army and if you could tell me about how long it takes someone to make 3 star gen and about what age they are?
I am in the Army. Every general officer I have met (I’ve met my fair share) is old as dirt. Those dudes have more than 25+ years of service, which would have someone at roughly 48-52 years old, minimum.
I would say the MAJORITY are a bit older. although yes, high 40’s and mid-high 50’s is about right.
any reason?
25 years is about right for 3 stars. It’s kind of like a pyramid so the higher you go the less there are. 3 is just about at the top.
[quote]hedo wrote:
25 years is about right for 3 stars. It’s kind of like a pyramid so the higher you go the less there are. 3 is just about at the top.[/quote]
Agreed. It is extremely difficult to make 3 stars - think Fortune 50 CEO as an equivalent level in the civilian world. Hell, most guys that get a star don’t even get a 2nd one, let alone a 3rd.
DB
Yes, most career officers who do twenty and retire make it to the O-5 level Colonel for Army, Air Force, Marines, and Captain, for Navy or even O-4 level. Even then the field you are in determines if you will make it that far. General or Admiral you have to take a certain path with somewhat political maneuvering.
In the Navy for instance commanding an Aircraft carrier is one step to becoming an Admiral. For instance many spec op officers usually don’t rise very high in the officer ranks. My understanding at least.
D
Why settle for only three stars? Underachiever.
Pretty much what they’ve said, although I personally believe there are “example” cases where they take somebody and make an example out of them, by promoting them quickly.
[quote]Dedicated wrote:
In the Navy for instance commanding an Aircraft carrier is one step to becoming an Admiral. For instance many spec op officers usually don’t rise very high in the officer ranks. My understanding at least.
D[/quote]
That’s usually b/c they spend a longer time as a capt. being a team leader. however i’m pretty sure infantry and armor are the way to go if you want those stars.
i heard a fact (not sure if it’s true) but that out of all the army officers that commissioned with me in '07, 1% will see a star.
Gen. H. Norman Schwartzkopf’s biography: It doesn’t take a hero. does a good job of what someone really has to go through to make it to the upper echelons of the armed services.
[quote]Dedicated wrote:
Yes, most career officers who do twenty and retire make it to the O-5 level Colonel for Army, Air Force, Marines, and Captain, for Navy or even O-4 level. Even then the field you are in determines if you will make it that far. General or Admiral you have to take a certain path with somewhat political maneuvering.
In the Navy for instance commanding an Aircraft carrier is one step to becoming an Admiral. For instance many spec op officers usually don’t rise very high in the officer ranks. My understanding at least.
D[/quote]
To add to that, in the AF most General’s and up came in as Pilots. Other Officers tend to get stuck at Col.