Actually US Army doesn't have a permanent 3 and 4-star general also. All 3/4 Star generals go back to 2 stars once their 3- or 4-star appointment expires.
However there are some exceptions where the 4 star general get to keep the 4 stars as an honourary practice. As such where the service personnel retires upon the end of the 4-star post.
In the case of Singapore, the SAF provides for a 4-star GEN rank. But I have seen no documents yet as to when this rank will be utilised.
And no, we are not the only country without a 4-Star rank. Israeli forgoes the 3-star LG rank. And other than the Royal Family, the highest rank in Brunei is COL (not sure about now).
Basically, at the top level, the Rank is mainly a "locally recognised" status, but when dealing with foreigners it is thier Position that matters. E.g., Chief of Defence Forces LG Quek would been deem 'equivalent' to Chairman of the Joint Chief of staff GEN Mullen.
However i added the ' ' to equivalent as it is not a directly comparable position.
My own personal theory as to when SAF will use 4-star rank is during which times our reserves battalion are fully mobilised. When that happens will we have 1 to 2 corps sized strength. Thus justifying the need for a GEN.
At the moment, our army is just division level usually headed by BGs.
US army have 4 star general and admirals, all the time. it is only the 5 star general (general of the army) that is only used in war time scenario.
Don't think singapore will need to use 4 star general. if i not wrong, there is only 1 2 star general, chief of army right now.. if recall the reservisit, maybe can form 3- 4 more armies, than will have 3 armies under chief of defence(3 star). 2 star will be chief of 1st army, or chief of 3rd army, and so on.
Originally posted by skythewood:US army have 4 star general and admirals, all the time. it is only the 5 star general (general of the army) that is only used in war time scenario.
Don't think singapore will need to use 4 star general. if i not wrong, there is only 1 2 star general, chief of army right now.. if recall the reservisit, maybe can form 3- 4 more armies, than will have 3 armies under chief of defence(3 star). 2 star will be chief of 1st army, or chief of 3rd army, and so on.
What i meant is, US Army 3 and 4 star ranks are tied to their posting.
The maximum a career soldier can go is 2 star MG, but if they need to fulfil a posting, a corresponding 3 and 4 star rank is awarded to them after approval from the Senate. once they finish that posting, they will revert back to 2 star MG unless they fulfil the exceptions requirements.
Originally posted by skythewood:US army have 4 star general and admirals, all the time. it is only the 5 star general (general of the army) that is only used in war time scenario.
Don't think singapore will need to use 4 star general. if i not wrong, there is only 1 2 star general, chief of army right now.. if recall the reservisit, maybe can form 3- 4 more armies, than will have 3 armies under chief of defence(3 star). 2 star will be chief of 1st army, or chief of 3rd army, and so on.
Isnt all the reservist battalions are grouped under BDEs under their respective "Combined Arms Concept" Divisions already...?
true... the requirement is 3 years of satisfactory service, they will be eligible to retire at that rank.
Very seldom will the general be demoted to other post. think they will normally just retire bah. Just like singapore's LG. after his time is up, he will be reverted to a lower rank, but normally he will just retire lah.
Originally posted by skythewood:true... the requirement is 3 years of satisfactory service, they will be eligible to retire at that rank.
Very seldom will the general be demoted to other post. think they will normally just retire bah. Just like singapore's LG. after his time is up, he will be reverted to a lower rank, but normally he will just retire lah.
They never retire one lah.. haha
see where our past CDFs are now... haha
Originally posted by Ponders:They never retire one lah.. haha
see where our past CDFs are now... haha
GIC and Temasek Holdings
Originally posted by Ponders:They never retire one lah.. haha
see where our past CDFs are now... haha
LOL. failing at their jobs too.