Jenderal

Jenderal is a military rank used in Indonesia, primarily within the Tentara Nasional Indonesia (TNI). It denotes a senior general officer and is the highest general officer rank in the Indonesian armed forces. Officers who hold the rank typically command large formations or serve in high-level strategic positions. The equivalent rank in many other countries is General.

Etymology and usage of the term reflect Indonesia’s historical ties to European military tradition. Jenderal is a loanword derived from the Dutch generaal, itself from the French général and ultimately from the Latin generalis. In Indonesian practice, the rank is often accompanied by a branch designation, such as Jenderal TNI, to indicate service in the Army, Navy, or Air Force, though the word Jenderal by itself is widely understood.

Rank structure and insignia in the TNI place Jenderal above Letnan Jenderal (three-star) and below no higher general officer rank in the standard hierarchy. The four-star insignia typically represents broad command authority or senior staff leadership. The immediate lower ranks are Brigadir Jenderal (one star, Brigadier General), Mayor Jenderal (two stars, Major General), and Letnan Jenderal (three stars, Lieutenant General).

Context and notes: Jenderal is a formal, neutral term used in official titles and media when referring to holders of the rank. While the term is most closely associated with the Indonesian armed forces, similar terminology appears in other Malay-speaking contexts with historical or linguistic ties to Dutch and European military rank structures.