How many female generals are there?

There are hundreds of female generals and admirals across the U.S. military, with numbers growing, though they remain a small percentage of the total general officer corps, with around 20 three-star women and historically only 10 women reaching four-star rank by 2024, though some have since retired, with leaders like Adm. Lisa Franchetti and Gen. Laura Richardson breaking barriers.

Does the United States have any female generals?

The Army now has 21 female general officers, and just more than 100 serve within the Defense Department. Dunwoody first joined the Army intent on serving only two years, she said. Her success, she admitted, comes to her surprise.

Who is the only 7 star general?

8.0 Introduction. No person have ever been awarded or promoted to a seven-star rank, although some commentators might argue that General George Washington posthumously became a seven-star general in 1976 (see Part Seven).

Is there a woman 4 star general?

Ann E. Dunwoody is the first woman to earn the rank of four-star general not only in the Army, but the entire U.S. armed forces.

What are 4 star generals paid?

A 4-star General's (O-10) basic pay is capped around $18,808 monthly or over $225,000 annually as of early 2025/2026, but this is just base pay, with total compensation including housing (BAH), food (BAS), and other allowances, potentially reaching over $225,000-$240,000+ total yearly, though specific amounts vary with time in service, location, and allowances.
 

"Most People Have No Idea What's About To Happen After Maduro's Capture" | Bill Clinton

Who are the only 6 star generals?

Gene Schwartz A 6-star general is a common, informal term for the rank of General of the Armies of the United States, the highest possible rank in the U.S. Army. This rank has been bestowed upon only three individuals: John J. Pershing, George Washington (posthumously), and Ulysses S. Grant (posthumously).

What pension does a 4 star general get?

A 4-star general's pension is a substantial lifetime benefit, calculated as a percentage (typically 2.5%) of their highest average basic pay for each year of service, allowing for up to 100% of that pay after 40+ years, often exceeding their active duty salary due to pay caps and benefits like Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs). Under the modern Blended Retirement System (BRS), it's based on 2.0% per year for the "high-36" average, with government TSP matching, but high-ranking officers can still see significant pensions, sometimes over $200k annually, adjusted for inflation. 

Who is the only 5 star general?

There have been five 5-star generals: George C. Marshall, Douglas MacArthur, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Henry H. Arnold, and Omar Bradley.

How many female 3 star generals are there?

The Department of Defense says there are currently 20 active-duty women three-star general officers.

Who is the highest ranking female in the US Navy?

Lisa Franchetti, the highest-ranking officer in the U.S. Navy, is the second top female military officer to be fired by the Trump administration.

Who was the best U.S. general ever?

There's no single "greatest," but George Washington, Ulysses S. Grant, George S. Patton, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Winfield Scott are consistently ranked among America's top generals for their transformative leadership, battlefield success, and impact on the nation's military history, from founding the Continental Army to commanding Allied forces in World War II.
 

Does an O-1 outrank an E-9?

Yes, formally, an O-1 (Second Lieutenant/Ensign) always outranks an E-9 (Master Sergeant/Chief Petty Officer/etc.), as all officers outrank all enlisted personnel, but in practice, the highly experienced E-9 holds significant informal authority and respect, and a smart O-1 relies on the E-9's expertise rather than strictly "barking orders," understanding the command structure and "soft power" of senior enlisted leaders. 

Who was the youngest U.S. general?

The youngest general in U.S. history is Galusha Pennypacker, who became a Brigadier General in the Union Army at just 20 years old during the Civil War in 1865, making him the only general too young to vote for the president who appointed him. He received the Medal of Honor for his bravery leading the charge at Fort Fisher, despite being severely wounded.
 

Are there female U.S. Navy Seals?

No, there are currently no female Navy SEALs, as no woman has successfully completed the Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training to date, but women can now try for the role, with some reaching the assessment stages. While no women have become SEALs, the Navy did have the first female Naval Special Warfare (NSW) operator graduate as a Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewman (SWCC) in 2021, the sister program to SEALs, proving women can succeed in Navy Special Warfare.
 

Are there any black female generals?

Gen. Lorna Mahlock, the chief information officer of the Marine Corps, speaks with attendees during the Thurgood Marshall College Fund 18th annual Leadership Institute in Washington, D.C., Oct. 29, 2018. Mahlock became the first Black female general in the Corps in 2018, when she was promoted to brigadier general.

How many female colonels are in the Army?

While exact real-time numbers fluctuate, women serve as Colonels (O-6) in the U.S. Army, making up a small but growing percentage of officers at that rank, with historical data showing around 2% of Army Colonels as female, and increasing representation in senior ranks like General (O-7+) shows positive trends for women in leadership, though still underrepresented compared to men. 

What is the hardest military branch for females?

The hardest military branch for females (and generally for anyone) in terms of physical rigor, demanding lifestyle, and combat focus is often considered the Marine Corps, followed by the Army, due to their intense training and ground combat roles, though the Air Force can be tough to get into due to high education standards. However, "hardest" is subjective, depending on a woman's goals (physical vs. technical), as all branches present unique challenges, from the Navy's ship life to the Space Force's high-tech focus.
 

How much money does a 3 star general make?

A U.S. three-star general (Pay Grade O-9) earns substantial income from basic pay, allowances, and bonuses, with basic pay starting around $14,000-$18,000/month and increasing with time in service, totaling over $200,000 annually, plus housing (BAH) and subsistence (BAS) allowances, making total compensation often exceed $225,000+ yearly depending on experience and location.
 

Why does a lieutenant outrank a major general?

A Lieutenant General outranks a Major General because "Major General" is a shortened form of the older, lower rank "Sergeant Major General," which was historically subordinate to the "Lieutenant General," who served as the assistant (or "in place of") the "Captain General" (now just "General"). The confusing order comes from 18th-century rank simplification, where titles like "Captain General" became "General" and "Sergeant Major General" became "Major General," even though the Lieutenant General's role was always superior to the Sergeant Major General's. 

Which president had the highest military rank?

The three presidents to hold the highest military ranks were: George Washington, Dwight D. Eisenhower and Ulysses S. Grant, respectively. Washington held the rank of lieutenant general (O-9) when he died, but in 1976, then-president Gerald R.

Who is the highest ranking general right now?

Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff

General Dan Caine is the 22nd Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the nation's highest-ranking military officer, and the principal military advisor to the President, Secretary of Defense, and National Security Council.

How many U.S. generals were killed in WWII?

The U.S. lost around 40 general officers (including Brigadier, Major, and Lieutenant Generals) during World War II, with a total of about 42 high-ranking officers (including Navy Rear Admirals) killed, though most casualties were lower-ranking personnel. A significant number of these generals died in combat, including Lieutenant General Simon Bolivar Buckner Jr., the highest-ranking U.S. officer killed by enemy fire in WWII, on Okinawa.
 

How much is a 20 year Army pension worth?

In general, Retired Soldiers who have accumulated 20 years of active service are eligible for Retired Pay. (YOS) will receive retired pay equivalent to 60% of final basic pay (50% +10% (2.5% x four years)). Final Pay Plan also includes a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) - usually annually.

At what age do generals have to retire?

Unless retired or separated earlier, each regular commissioned officer of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Space Force serving in a general or flag officer grade shall be retired on the first day of the month following the month in which the officer becomes 64 years of age.

Who is the highest paid person in the military?

The highest-paid person in the U.S. military is typically a four-star General or Admiral (O-10) with extensive time in service, earning over $18,000 monthly in basic pay, plus significant untaxed allowances for housing (BAH) and subsistence (BAS), though some specific roles like senior pilots or doctors receive bonuses, and retired generals can earn millions in speaking/consulting, like Gen. Mark Milley.