There are currently 159 active-duty three-star officers in the uniformed services of the United States: 50 in the Army, 16 in the Marine Corps, 35 in the Navy, 47 in the Air Force, 6 in the Space Force, 4 in the Coast Guard, 1 in the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and 0 in the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps.
| Position insignia | Position | Photo | Incumbent | Service branch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct reporting officers | ||||
| Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense | Lieutenant General Ronald P. Clark |
U.S. Army | ||
| National intelligence agencies | ||||
| Director, Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) | Lieutenant General Scott D. Berrier |
U.S. Army | ||
| Director, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) | Vice Admiral Frank D. Whitworth III |
U.S. Navy | ||
| Defense Agencies | ||||
| Director, Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) | Lieutenant General David G. Bassett |
U.S. Army | ||
| Director, Defense Health Agency (DHA) | Lieutenant General Ronald J. Place |
U.S. Army | ||
| Director, Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) and Commander, Joint Force Headquarters Department of Defense Information Network (JFHQ-DoDIN) |
Lieutenant General Robert J. Skinner |
U.S. Air Force | ||
| Director, Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) | Vice Admiral Michelle C. Skubic |
U.S. Navy | ||
| Director, Missile Defense Agency (MDA) | Vice Admiral Jon A. Hill |
U.S. Navy | ||
| Position insignia | Position | Photo | Incumbent | Service branch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Office of the Joint Staff | ||||
| Director of the Joint Staff (DJS) | Lieutenant General James J. Mingus |
U.S. Army | ||
| Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (ACJCS) | Vice Admiral Colin J. Kilrain |
U.S. Navy | ||
| Joint Staff directorates | ||||
| Director for Intelligence (J-2), Joint Staff | Lieutenant General Dimitri Henry |
U.S. Marine Corps | ||
| Director for Operations (J-3), Joint Staff | Lieutenant General Douglas A. Sims II |
U.S. Army | ||
| Director for Logistics (J-4), Joint Staff | Lieutenant General Leonard J. Kosinski |
U.S. Air Force | ||
| Director for Strategy, Plans and Policy (J-5), Joint Staff and Senior Member, United States Delegation to the United Nations Military Staff Committee |
Vice Admiral Stephen T. Koehler |
U.S. Navy | ||
| Director, Command, Control, Communications and Computers and Cyber and Chief Information Officer (J-6), Joint Staff |
Lieutenant General Mary F. O'Brien |
U.S. Air Force | ||
| Director for Joint Force Development (J-7), Joint Staff | Vacant | U.S. Navy | ||
| Director of Force Structure, Resources and Assessment (J-8), Joint Staff | Vice Admiral Sara A. Joyner |
U.S. Navy | ||
| In transit | ||||
| Vice Admiral Lisa M. Franchetti Promotable[1] |
U.S. Navy | |||
| Position insignia | Position | Photo | Incumbent | Service branch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Office of the Secretary | ||||
| Director of Hypersonics, Directed Energy, Space and Rapid Acquisition, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology) | Lieutenant General L. Neil Thurgood Retiring[3] |
U.S. Army | ||
| Military Deputy for Budget to the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Financial Management and Comptroller) | Lieutenant General Paul A. Chamberlain |
U.S. Army | ||
| Inspector General of the United States Army (IG) | Lieutenant General Donna W. Martin |
U.S. Army | ||
| Position insignia | Position | Photo | Incumbent | Service branch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Office of the Secretary | ||||
| Principal Military Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition) | Vice Admiral Francis D. Morley |
U.S. Navy | ||
| Naval Inspector General (NAVIG) and Special Assistant for Inspection Support (N09G) |
Vice Admiral John V. Fuller |
U.S. Navy | ||
| Judge Advocate General of the Navy (JAG), Special Assistant for Legal Services (N09J) and Department of Defense Representative for Ocean Policy Affairs (REPOPA) |
Vice Admiral Darse E. Crandall Jr. |
U.S. Navy | ||
| Position insignia | Position | Photo | Incumbent | Service branch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Headquarters Marine Corps | ||||
| Director of the Marine Corps Staff (DMCS) | Lieutenant General Gregg P. Olson |
U.S. Marine Corps | ||
| Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs (DC M&RA) | Vacant | U.S. Marine Corps | ||
| Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies, and Operations (DC, PP&O) | Lieutenant General David J. Furness |
U.S. Marine Corps | ||
| Deputy Commandant for Aviation (DCA) | Lieutenant General Michael S. Cederholm |
U.S. Marine Corps | ||
| Deputy Commandant, Installations and Logistics (DC I&L) | Lieutenant General Edward D. Banta |
U.S. Marine Corps | ||
  |
Deputy Commandant, Combat Development and Integration (DC, CD&I) and Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command (MCCDC) | Lieutenant General Karsten S. Heckl |
U.S. Marine Corps | |
| Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources (DC P&R) | Lieutenant General Christopher J. Mahoney |
U.S. Marine Corps | ||
| Deputy Commandant for Information (DCI) and Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Strategic Command (MARFORSTRAT) |
Lieutenant General Matthew G. Glavy |
U.S. Marine Corps | ||
| Supporting establishment | ||||
| Commanding General, U.S. Marine Corps Training and Education Command (TECOM) | Lieutenant General Kevin M. Iiams |
U.S. Marine Corps | ||
| Operating forces | ||||
   |
Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command (MARFORCOM), Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Northern Command (MARFORNORTH) and Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic (FMFLANT) |
Vacant | U.S. Marine Corps | |
| Commanding General, II Marine Expeditionary Force (II MEF) | Lieutenant General David A. Ottignon |
U.S. Marine Corps | ||
| Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific (MARFORPAC) and Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific (FMFPAC) |
Lieutenant General Steven R. Rudder Retiring[8] |
U.S. Marine Corps | ||
| Commanding General, I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF) | Lieutenant General George W. Smith Jr. |
U.S. Marine Corps | ||
| Commanding General, III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF) and Commander, Marine Forces Japan (MARFORJ) |
Lieutenant General James W. Bierman Jr. |
U.S. Marine Corps | ||
| Marine Forces Reserve | ||||
  |
Commander, Marine Forces Reserve (MARFORRES) and Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South (MARFORSOUTH) |
Lieutenant General David G. Bellon |
U.S. Marine Corps | |
| In transit | ||||
| Lieutenant General William M. Jurney |
U.S. Marine Corps | |||
| Position insignia | Position | Photo | Incumbent | Service branch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Office of the Chief of Naval Operations | ||||
| Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Manpower, Personnel, Training, and Education (N1/NT) and Chief of Naval Personnel (CNP) |
Vice Admiral Richard J. Cheeseman Jr. |
U.S. Navy | ||
| Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Warfare (N2/N6) and Director of Naval Intelligence (DNI) |
Vice Admiral Jeffrey E. Trussler |
U.S. Navy | ||
| Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans and Strategy (N3/N5) | Vice Admiral William R. Merz |
U.S. Navy | ||
| Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Fleet Readiness and Logistics (N4) | Vice Admiral Ricky L. Williamson |
U.S. Navy | ||
| Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfighting Development (N7) | Vice Admiral Jeffrey W. Hughes |
U.S. Navy | ||
| Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Integration of Capabilities and Resources (N8) | Vice Admiral Randy B. Crites |
U.S. Navy | ||
| Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfighting Requirements and Capabilities (N9) | Vice Admiral Scott D. Conn |
U.S. Navy | ||
| Chief of Navy Reserve (N095) and Commander, Navy Reserve Force (CNRF) |
Vice Admiral John B. Mustin |
U.S. Navy | ||
| Type commands | ||||
  |
Commander, Naval Air Forces (COMNAVAIRFOR) and Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMNAVAIRPAC) |
Vice Admiral Kenneth R. Whitesell |
U.S. Navy | |
| Commander, Naval Information Forces (NAVIFOR) | Vice Admiral Kelly A. Aeschbach |
U.S. Navy | ||
   |
Commander, Submarine Forces (COMSUBFOR), Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet (COMSUBLANT), Commander, Allied Submarine Command (ASC), Commander, Task Force 114 (CTF-114),[9] Commander, Task Force 88 (CTF-88) and Commander, Task Force 46 (CTF-46) |
Vice Admiral William J. Houston |
U.S. Navy | |
| Commander, Naval Surface Forces (COMNAVSURFOR) and Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMNAVSURFPAC) |
Vice Admiral Roy I. Kitchener |
U.S. Navy | ||
| Operating forces (and subordinated units) | ||||
  |
Deputy Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFF), Deputy Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Northern Command (NAVNORTH), Deputy Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Strategic Command (NAVSTRAT) and Commander, Task Force 80 (CTF-80) |
Vice Admiral James W. Kilby |
U.S. Navy | |
   |
Commander, U.S. Second Fleet (C2F), Commander, Joint Force Command – Norfolk (JFC-NF) and Director, Combined Joint Operations from the Sea Center of Excellence (CJOS COE) |
Vice Admiral Daniel W. Dwyer |
U.S. Navy | |
  |
Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet (C6F), Commander, Task Force Six, Commander, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (COMSTRIKFORNATO), Deputy Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (CNE-CNA) and Joint Force Maritime Component Commander Europe |
Vice Admiral Eugene H. Black III |
U.S. Navy | |
| Commander, U.S. Third Fleet (C3F) | Vice Admiral Michael E. Boyle |
U.S. Navy | ||
| Commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet (C7F) | Vice Admiral Karl O. Thomas |
U.S. Navy | ||
   |
Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), Commander, U.S. Fifth Fleet (C5F) and Commander, Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) |
Vice Admiral Charles B. Cooper II |
U.S. Navy | |
   |
Commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command (FCC), Commander, U.S. Tenth Fleet (C10F) and Commander, U.S. Navy Space Command (CNSC) |
Vice Admiral Craig A. Clapperton |
U.S. Navy | |
| Shore establishment | ||||
| Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) | Vice Admiral William J. Galinis |
U.S. Navy | ||
| Commander, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) | Vice Admiral Carl P. Chebi |
U.S. Navy | ||
| Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) | Vice Admiral Yancy B. Lindsey |
U.S. Navy | ||
| Director for Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) | Vice Admiral Johnny R. Wolfe Jr. |
U.S. Navy | ||
| Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy (USNA) | Vice Admiral Sean S. Buck |
U.S. Navy | ||
| Position insignia | Position | Photo | Incumbent | Service branch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Office of the Secretary | ||||
| Military Deputy, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (SAF/AQ) | Vacant | U.S. Air Force | ||
| Inspector General of the Department of the Air Force (DAF/IG) | Lieutenant General Stephen L. Davis |
U.S. Air Force | ||
| Position insignia | Position | Photo | Incumbent | Service branch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Space Staff | ||||
| Director of Staff of the United States Space Force (SF/DS) | Lieutenant General Nina M. Armagno |
U.S. Space Force | ||
| Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Operations, Cyber, and Nuclear (S2/3/4/6/7/10) | Lieutenant General B. Chance Saltzman |
U.S. Space Force | ||
| Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Strategy, Plans, Programs, Requirements, and Analysis (S5/8) | Lieutenant General Philip A. Garrant |
U.S. Space Force | ||
| Field commands | ||||
| Commander, Space Operations Command (SpOC) | Lieutenant General Stephen N. Whiting |
U.S. Space Force | ||
| Commander, Space Systems Command (SSC) | Lieutenant General Michael A. Guetlein |
U.S. Space Force | ||
| Position insignia | Position | Photo | Incumbent | Service branch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Headquarters support units | ||||
| Deputy Commandant for Operations (DCO) | Vice Admiral Peter W. Gautier |
U.S. Coast Guard | ||
| Deputy Commandant for Mission Support (DCMS) | Vice Admiral Paul F. Thomas |
U.S. Coast Guard | ||
| Area commands | ||||
| Commander, Coast Guard Atlantic Area (USCGLANTAREA) and Director, Department of Homeland Security Joint Task Force – East (JTF-E) |
Vice Admiral Kevin E. Lunday |
U.S. Coast Guard | ||
| Commander, Coast Guard Pacific Area (PACAREA) and Commander, Defense Force West |
Vice Admiral Andrew J. Tiongson |
U.S. Coast Guard | ||
| Position insignia | Position | Photo | Incumbent | Service branch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Office of the Surgeon General | ||||
| Surgeon General of the United States (SG) | Vice Admiral Vivek H. Murthy |
U.S. Public Health Service | ||
| Current position | Designated position insignia | Designated position | Photo | Name | Service branch | Status and date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joint assignments | ||||||
| Vice Director for Operations (J-3), Joint Staff | Director for Joint Force Development (J-7), Joint Staff | Major General Dagvin R.M. Anderson |
U.S. Air Force |
Confirmed by the Senate 1 August 2022[10][11] | ||
| In transit | Deputy Commander, U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) | Rear Admiral Richard A. Correll |
U.S. Navy |
Confirmed by the Senate 23 June 2022[12][13] Scheduled to assume office September 2022[14] | ||
| In transit | Commander, Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) and Commander, Joint Special Operations Command Forward, U.S. Special Operations Command |
Rear Admiral Frank M. Bradley |
U.S. Navy |
Confirmed by the Senate 26 May 2022[15][13] Scheduled to assume office August 2022[16] | ||
| United States Army | ||||||
| Commanding General, U.S. Army Recruiting Command (USAREC) | Deputy Chief of Staff for Installations (G-9) | Major General Kevin Vereen |
U.S. Army |
Confirmed by the Senate 26 May 2022[17][18] | ||
| Director, Next Generation Combat Vehicles Cross-Functional Team (NGCV CFT) | Deputy Commanding General for Combat Development, U.S. Army Futures Command (AFC) | Major General Richard R. Coffman |
U.S. Army |
Confirmed by the Senate 23 June 2022[19][20] | ||
| Commanding General, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) and Commanding General, Fort Drum |
   |
Commanding General, U.S. Army Combined Arms Center (USACAC), Commandant, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC) Executive Vice Chancellor, Army University (ArmyU) and Commanding General, Fort Leavenworth |
Major General Milford H. Beagle Jr. |
U.S. Army |
Confirmed by the Senate 26 May 2022[21][18] | |
| Deputy Surgeon General of the United States Army (DSG) and Chief, Medical Corps (MC) |
   |
Surgeon General of the United States Army (TSG), Commanding General, U.S. Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) and Chief, Army Medical Department (AMEDD) |
Major General Telita Crosland |
U.S. Army |
Nomination sent to the Senate 10 May 2022[22] | |
| In transit | Commanding General, III Corps and Commanding General, Fort Hood |
Major General Sean C. Bernabe |
U.S. Army |
Confirmed by the Senate 28 April 2022[23][24] | ||
| Program Executive Officer, Missiles and Space (PEO MS) | TBA | Major General Robert A. Rasch Jr. |
U.S. Army |
Confirmed by the Senate 1 August 2022[25] | ||
| United States Marine Corps | ||||||
| In transit | |
Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command (MARFORCOM), Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Northern Command (MARFORNORTH) and Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic (FMFLANT) |
Major General Brian W. Cavanaugh |
U.S. Marine Corps |
Confirmed by the Senate 26 May 2022[26][27] | |
| In transit | Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific (MARFORPAC) and Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific (FMFPAC) |
Lieutenant General William M. Jurney |
U.S. Marine Corps |
Confirmed by the Senate 23 June 2022[28][29] | ||
| United States Navy | ||||||
| Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet (C6F), Commander, Task Force Six, Commander, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (COMSTRIKFORNATO), Deputy Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (CNE-CNA) and Joint Force Maritime Component Commander Europe |
Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans and Strategy (N3/N5) | Vice Admiral Eugene H. Black III |
U.S. Navy |
Confirmed by the Senate 23 June 2022[30][31] | ||
| In transit | |
Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet (C6F), Commander, Task Force Six, Commander, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (COMSTRIKFORNATO), Deputy Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (CNE-CNA) and Joint Force Maritime Component Commander Europe |
Rear Admiral Thomas E. Ishee |
U.S. Navy |
Confirmed by the Senate 23 June 2022[32][33] | |
| United States Air Force | ||||||
| Deputy Director and Commander of the Space Force Element, National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) | Military Deputy, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (SAF/AQ) | Major General Donna D. Shipton |
U.S. Air Force |
Confirmed by the Senate 1 August 2022[34][35] | ||
| Vice Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) | Commander, Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) | Lieutenant General Tony D. Bauernfeind |
U.S. Air Force |
Confirmed by the Senate 1 August 2022[36][37] | ||
|
See also: List of active duty United States four-star officers § Statutory limits |
As with four-star officers, the U.S. Code explicitly limits the number of three-star officers that may be on active duty at any given time. The total number of active-duty general or flag officers is capped at 231 for the Army, 162 for the Navy, 198 for the Air Force, and 62 for the Marine Corps.[38] From December 31, 2022, the cap will be reduced further to 220 for the Army, 151 for the Navy, 187 for the Air Force, and 62 for the Marine Corps.[39] For the Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force, no more than about 21%[c] of each service's active-duty general or flag officers may have more than two stars,[40] and statute sets the total number of three-star officers allowed in each service.[40] This is set at 38 three-star Army generals,[40][d] 27 three-star Navy admirals,[40][e] 30 three-star Air Force generals,[40][f] 15 three-star Marine generals[40][g] and 5 three-star Space Force generals.[h]
While a number of these positions are set by statute, most do not have the accompanying statutory three-star grade. By convention, however:
The President may also designate positions of importance and responsibility to other agencies in the executive branch aside from the Coast Guard and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to be held by an officer with the grade of vice admiral, with corresponding pay and allowance.[61]
Exceptions exist that allow for the promotion of three-star officers beyond statutory limits. The secretary of defense can designate up to 49[i] three-star officers,[38] who do not count against any service's general- or flag-officer limit,[38] to serve in one of several joint positions.[63] For three-star officers, these may include senior positions on the Joint Staff such as the director of the Joint Staff,[64] vice chief of the National Guard Bureau,[65] and deputy commanders of unified combatant commands. Officers serving in certain intelligence positions are not counted against statutory limit, including the deputy director of the Central Intelligence Agency,[66] associate director for military affairs of the Central Intelligence Agency,[66] and the advisor for military affairs to the director of National Intelligence.[63][66] The President may also add up to 15 three-star slots to one service if they are offset by removing an equivalent number from other services.[40] Finally, all statutory limits may be waived at the President's discretion during time of war or national emergency.[67]
Like four-star ranks, three-star ranks are temporary in nature, being tied to positions where the officeholder is authorized to assume said rank.[68] The officeholder's rank expires with the expiration of their term of office, which is normally set by statute.[68] The president nominates three-star officers from any eligible officers holding a one-star grade and above who also meets the other requirements for the position, under the advice and/or suggestion of their respective executive department secretary, service secretary, and if applicable the joint chiefs.[68] The nominee must be confirmed via majority by the Senate before the appointee can take office and thus assume the rank.[68] The Senate (normally in committee[j]) may hold hearings to consider any nominee for appointment to three-star grade,[69] but usually only convene for nominations of selected four-star positions.
While it is rare for three-star or four-star nominations to face even token opposition in the Senate, nominations that do face opposition due to controversy surrounding the nominee in question are typically withdrawn.[70]
Nominations that are not withdrawn are allowed to expire without action at the end of the legislative session, with said nominations being returned to the President.[70][69]
Additionally, events that take place after Senate confirmation may still delay or even prevent the nominee from assuming office, necessitating that another nominee be selected and considered by the Senate. Even after the nominee assumes command, various events can occur that alter his or her circumstances in holding the office.
Any billet in the armed forces may be designated as a position of importance requiring the holder of the position to be of three-star or four-star rank.[68] One-star and two-star billets may be elevated to three-star or four-star level as appropriate, either by act of Congress, or within statutory limits by the services at their discretion. Congress may propose such elevations or reductions to the President and U.S. Department of Defense.[103] Due to the higher number of three-star appointments available by statute compared to four-star appointments, shuffling of such billets within services and between services occurs at a relatively steady pace, with significant changes on average every two to three years, compared to those at four-star grade which shuffle on average every four to five years.
The existing commander of a lower-level command or office elevated to three-star rank can be appointed to grade in their present position, reassigned to another office of equal grade, or face retirement if another nominee is selected as their relief.
A two-star billet may be elevated to three-star level, in accordance to being designated as a position of importance, to highlight importance to the defense apparatus as a whole or achieve parity with equivalent commands in the same area of responsibility or service branch.
A four-star billet may also be reduced to three-star level, usually to compensate for another billet being elevated to four-star level and thus remain within statutory limits. Congressional approval must be obtained if it is determined that a new three-star appointment beyond statutory limits is necessary.
The standard tour length for a three-star officer is three years, specifically a two-year term with a one-year extension. Unlike with grade, many three-star positions do have stipulated term lengths in the U.S. Code, which may not necessarily equate to the standard term length:
All appointees serve at the pleasure of the president. Extensions of the standard tour length can be approved, within statutory limits, by their respective service secretaries, the secretary of defense, the president, and/or Congress but these are rare, as they block other officers from being promoted. Some statutory limits of tour length under the U.S. Code can be waived in times of national emergency or war.[123][124] Three-star ranks may also be given by act of Congress but this is extremely rare.
Besides voluntary retirement, statute sets a number of mandates for retirement. A three-star officer may serve for a maximum of 38 years of commissioned service unless reappointed to grade to serve longer or appointed to a higher grade.[127] Three-star officers on reserve active duty must retire after five years in grade or 30 days after completion of 38 years of commissioned service, whichever is later, unless reappointed to grade to serve longer.[128] Three-star reserve officers of the Army and Air Force can have their retirements deferred by their service secretary until the officer's 66th birthday,[129] which the secretary of defense may do for all active-duty officers,[130] and the president can defer it until the officer's 68th birthday.[130] Otherwise all general and flag officers must retire the month after their 64th birthday.[130] Officers that served several years in the enlisted ranks prior to receiving their commission typically don't make it to the 38 years in commission mark, because they are still subject to the age restrictions for retirement. As holders of the second-highest grade, three-star officers rarely receive deferment to serve beyond their 64th birthday, a more common case for officers who are promoted to four-star rank.
By statute, any three-star officer assigned as superintendent of the United States Military Academy,[131] superintendent of the United States Naval Academy,[132] and superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy[133] must retire upon completion of their assignment,[134][132][135] unless a waiver is granted by the secretary of defense[136][137][138] with the approval of the House and Senate Armed Services committees,[136][137][138] and a written notification of intent from the president to nominate the officer for reassignment.[136][137][138]
Senior officers typically retire well in advance of the statutory age and service limits, so as not to impede the upward career mobility of their juniors. The higher number of available three-star slots overall (ranging from around 100 to 200) means that lateral promotion is more likely for officers at grade before they either retire or are appointed to a higher grade.[s] An officer who vacates a position bearing that rank has no more than 60 days to be appointed or reappointed to a position of equal or greater importance, including positions of four-star grade, before involuntary retirement.[68]
A three-star officer may also be reduced to their permanent rank pending circumstances that delay appointment to another three-star position of importance. Historically, officers leaving three-star or four-star positions were allowed to revert to their permanent two-star ranks to mark time in lesser jobs until statutory retirement, but now such officers are expected to retire immediately to avoid obstructing the promotion flow.
To retire at three-star grade, an officer must accumulate at least three years of satisfactory active-duty service in that grade, as determined by the secretary of defense.[147] The president and Congress must also receive certification by either the under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness, the deputy under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness, or the secretary of defense that the retiree served satisfactorily in grade.[147] The secretary of defense may reduce this requirement to two years, but only if the officer is not being investigated for misconduct.[148] The president may also reduce these requirements even further, or waive the requirements altogether, if he so chooses.[147][148] Three-star officers who do not meet the service-in-grade requirement will retire at the last permanent rank satisfactorily held for six months.[147] The retiree may also be subject to congressional approval by the Senate before the retiree can retire in grade.[u] It is extraordinarily rare for a three-star or four-star officer not to be certified to retire in grade or for the Senate to seek final approval.
Officers who are under investigation for misconduct typically are not allowed to retire until the investigation completes, so that the secretary of defense can decide whether to certify that their performance was satisfactory enough to retire in their highest grade.[147]
Furthermore, all retired officers may still be subjected to the Uniform Code of Military Justice and disciplinary action, including reduction in retirement rank, by the secretary of defense or the president if they are deemed to have served unsatisfactorily in rank, post their retirement.[166]
Officers holding a temporary three-star or four-star rank typically step down from their posts up to 60 days in advance of their official retirement dates. Officers retire on the first day of the month, so once a retirement month has been selected, the relief and retirement ceremonies are scheduled by counting backwards from that date by the number of days of accumulated leave remaining to the retiring officer. During this period, termed transition leave or terminal leave, the officer is considered to be awaiting retirement but still on active duty.
A statutory limit can be waived by the president with the consent of Congress if it serves national interest. However, this is extremely rare. Only two four-star officers have been granted such a waiver in American history: General Lewis B. Hershey, who served as director of the Selective Service System from 1941 to 1970, and Admiral Hyman G. Rickover, who served as director of Naval Reactors from 1949 to 1982.
