quote:

Originally posted by sigfreund:
And on the subject, how many of us know why US Lieutenant Generals have three stars and Major Generals two?

I have often wondered about that myself. My best guess is that the term "lieutenant" is often designated for "right hand" to the person in charge, the executive vice president to the CEO, in corporate terms. So a Lt. General would be the next thing down from a top, or full four star general? Anyway, I have no idea.


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Because "Major General" was originally "Sergeant Major General".

And Lieutenant outranks Sergeant Major.

quote:

Originally posted by FenderBender:
Sounds like a 3rd LT.

Is there a title (official or otherwise) for ROTC or USMA cadets observing training in the summer months?

Somewhere in my totally undistinguished military career I vaguely remember seeing them, it may have been during basic training or a much later two-week ARNG summer camp at Ft Drum.

Could I be misremembering?

quote:

Originally posted by TigerDore:
So a Lt. General would be the next thing down from a top, or full four star general?

Your reasoning is correct, and so is the explanation about major general by RogueJSK (as always ).

Be My Little General is how we were taught to memorize it.

In the 80s, E2 was "Private 2nd Class" but never called that (unless you were reading an award order or something like that). I assume that's still the case, but again, you'd hardly ever make that distinction verbally.

During the period from 1965 to 1988 I never heard reference to “Private Second Class” as a formal, official rank, and I was the sort who actually researched things like that in the regulations. I could have missed it, of course, but I held all the enlisted ranks E-1 through E-7 into the mid-1970s, and I believe it’s unlikely.

Also let us not forget the "Chief Warrant Officers"........................... drill sgt.

quote:

Originally posted by Sigmund:

quote:

Originally posted by FenderBender:
Sounds like a 3rd LT.

Is there a title (official or otherwise) for ROTC or USMA cadets observing training in the summer months?

Somewhere in my totally undistinguished military career I vaguely remember seeing them, it may have been during basic training or a much later two-week ARNG summer camp at Ft Drum.

Could I be misremembering?

“Cadet” is indeed the title, and yes they can be seen “in the wild” around the military. I do not know if still options for Cadets, but at least for ROTC they used to be able to serve in Guard and Reserve units while completing their programs (Simultaneous Membership Program), act as ‘locals’ during Robin Sage, and shadow Active Duty 2LT’s and 1LT’s for a few weeks in the summers (Cadet Leadership and Development Training).

quote:

Originally posted by drill sgt:
Also let us not forget the "Chief Warrant Officers"........................... drill sgt.

Easy to forget something that's allegedly invisible

It’s crazy the difference in respect warrants get in the Navy compared to the Army.

Warrants are the saltiest dudes in the Navy usually. In the Army they’re often 20 year old helicopter pilots waiting for their turn to talk the the Staff Sergeant.

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:
Because "Major General" was originally "Sergeant Major General".

And Lieutenant outranks Sergeant Major.

Correct.