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Four-star rank

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US-O10 insignia

A US general's rank insignia[1]

Main articles: Ranks and insignia of NATO armies officers, Ranks and insignia of NATO Air Forces Officers, and Ranks and insignia of NATO Navies Officers

A four-star rank is the rank of any four-star officer described by the NATO OF-9 code. Four-star officers are often the most senior commanders in the armed services, having ranks such as (full) admiral, (full) general, or (in the case of air forces with a separate rank structure) air chief marshal. This designation is also used by some armed forces that are not NATO members.

Insignia[]

Australia[]

The four-star rank is reserved in Australia for the Chief of the Defence Force, the highest position in peace time.

In times of major conflict, the highest ranks are the five-star ranks: admiral of the fleet, field marshal, and marshal of the Royal Australian Air Force.

Canada[]

Four maple leaves appear with St. Edward's crown and crossed sabre and baton on epaulettes and shoulder boards. In Canada and when referring to Canadian officers, it is sometimes referred to as the "4-leaf" rank, rather than "four-star".[citation needed]

This is the highest rank that is defined in the Canadian Forces under the current National Defence Act Schedule.[2] Usually, only one officer carries the rank of full admiral or general at any one time: the Chief of the Defence Staff. In exceptional circumstances, from time-to-time, the minister may authorize additional officers at that level, for instance, Canadian officers in the position of Chairman of the NATO Military Committee are usually former Chiefs of the Defence Staff seconded to NATO for that duty.

The Head of State, Queen Elizabeth II, holds the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Forces, bearing no rank.[3] Likewise, the Minister of National Defence, since he is not a member of the Canadian Forces, nor in the chain-of-command, also bears no rank. Prince Philip holds the four-star rank of admiral in the Royal Canadian Navy in an honorary capacity.

Before unification in 1968, the rank of air chief marshal was the four-star equivalent for the Royal Canadian Air Force.

India[]

Pakistan[]

Philippines[]

United Kingdom[]

See also:

United States[]

See also:

See also[]

Notes[]

  1. ↑ Note: This rank insignia is not worn by all NATO officers.
  2. ↑ Canada - Department of Justice "Laws of Canada: National Defence Act, Schedule I"
  3. ↑ Canada - Department of Justice "Constitution Act, 1867, Part III, Section 9, Executive Power."
  4. ↑ http://www.army.mod.uk/structure/23155.aspx
  5. ↑ RAF Glossary, "Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation", rafweb.org
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