generals

A general is a senior commissioned officer in land-based armed forces who typically commands large military formations and exercises strategic-level authority over operations, training, and logistics. In peacetime and war, generals may oversee divisions, corps, or entire armies, develop operational plans, and coordinate with other services and civilian authorities. They also manage staff, resources, and communications, and may serve as senior advisors to political leaders or defense ministries.

General ranks vary by country but usually form a tier known as general officers. Common sequences include brigadier general or brigadier, major general, lieutenant general, and general. Some nations also assign field marshal, colonel-general, or analogous titles for the highest rank; insignia and prerequisites differ by nation. Promotion generally requires extensive service as a commissioned officer, command experience, and completion of professional military education, with selection influenced by merit, seniority, and, in some systems, political appointment.

Generals operate within professional military cultures that emphasize strategic thinking, interoperability, and the integration of combat arms with logistics, intelligence, and planning functions. They may serve in staff roles or as field commanders during operations, and their decisions can shape campaigns and conflicts.

Notable generals include Napoleon Bonaparte of France, George Washington of the United States, and Dwight D. Eisenhower, who also served as a head of state; General George S. Patton is another widely recognized example. Across history, the general has been a central figure in warfare, though the exact role has varied with doctrine and era.