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From: bcstec!shuksan!major@uunet.UU.NET (Mike Schmitt)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Re: US 5-star generals
Message-ID: <1991Feb28.052931.10939@cbnews.att.com>
Date: 28 Feb 91 05:29:31 GMT
References: <1991Feb26.012607.6828@cbnews.att.com> <1991Feb27.021155.22155@cbnews.att.com>
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From: bcstec!shuksan!major@uunet.UU.NET (Mike Schmitt)

> From: parmentier@iowasp.physics.uiowa.edu

> ................................................Five stars keep there rank,
> lower ranks are sometimes only temporary raises in rank.  I had also heard
> that five stars are never removed from active lists while alive, whether
> they're doing army work or not, though I'm not certain of this.

  There are no more 'temporary' officer grades.  Once an officer is promoted
  he remains in that grade - until promoted or retired.  When there were
  5-star generals alive - yes, they remained on the active duty list.
  However, generals (star/flag ranks) are always subject to recall to 
  active duty by the Secretary of the Army (or service) at any time.
  In fact, all regular army officers who 'retire' are subject to recall
  to active duty.

  It will be interesting to see the 'heroes' that come out of the gulf war -
  the careers that are 'made' and the officers who 'advance' in rank and
  assignment.  And, those that were not present - will fall in step behind
  those that were.  The top heirarchy of the Army will soon consist of the 
  gulf-veterans.  Some recent examples:

  When Westmoreland was Army Chief of Staff - the top jobs were occupied by
  "Airborne" cronies.  Under Creighton Abrams, "Armor" generals had the
  best commands.  
  
  After Vietnam, it seemed that the 1st Infantry Division commanders occupied
  all the top jobs - Bernard Rogers, DuPuy, Fuller, et al.

  Then came Meyers, and the NATO complexion - and up to just recently, all
  the plum jobs went to 'European/NATO experienced' officers.  

  In a few short years, the brigade/division/corps commanders of the gulf war
  will occupy the best command and staff positions.   

  mike schmitt

   "We're going to go around them, over them, through them and under them." 
                                                     - General Schwartzkopf