Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General.
In modern armies, Lieutenant General normally ranks immediately below General and above Major General; it is equivalent to the navy rank of Vice Admiral, and in Air Forces with a separate rank structure, it is equivalent to Air Marshal.
The term Major General is a shortened version of the previous term Sergeant Major General, which was also subordinate to Lieutenant General. This is why a Lieutenant General outranks a Major General, whereas a Major is senior to a Lieutenant.
In many countries, the rank of Corps General has replaced the earlier rank of Lieutenant General (e.g. France, Italy). (The ranks of corps general and lieutenant colonel general are intended to solve the apparent Lieutenant General / Major General anomaly). However, for convenience, this is often translated into English as Lieutenant General.
Lieutenant General ranks by country
Lieutenant General equivalent ranks
Other Lieutenant General ranks
Ireland
- The Irish defence forces Chief of Staff is a Lieutentant General as the force is too small to require a higher rank
See also
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