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10 Responses to 'What is the highest military rank on the battle field?'

1. Angel Marie - January 16th, 2010 at 8:46 pm

   Dont quote me on this but isnt it a five star general.

2. Locke II - January 16th, 2010 at 8:56 pm

   i think it’s general of the army or something. its like a 5 star general. it can only happen during wartime.

3. D L - January 18th, 2010 at 3:31 am

   probably colonel and thats stretching it

4. I Eat Zippos - January 20th, 2010 at 9:52 pm

   Master Chief

5. JD - January 22nd, 2010 at 5:15 am

   Theoretically, a “four star general”, and that’s only because that officer “got lost”!

6. Bryan M - January 22nd, 2010 at 3:10 pm

   4 star general…oh on the battle field command sergeant major

7. Joe D - January 23rd, 2010 at 5:29 am

   The truth – Winner. No one ranks higher than that.

   Seriously, it depends. What part of the battlefield? The higher the rank, the farther from the front lines…traditionally. In todays conventional warfare the battlefield is considered “non-linear”, meaning there are not clearly defined front lines like we used to have in Korea and before.

   It is true that the US does not have five-star general anymore; however, if necessary, we could bring it back. But, it hasn’t been necessary for half a century.

   Now, for the traditional-type answer. If you are reffering to the highest rank usually involved in direct contact with enemy forces on a linear battlefield, that would most precisely be Lieutenant Colonel, or LTC (O-5). LTCs command battalions which are comprised of three to five companies whcih are commanded by Captains. Above LTCs are Colonels (O-6) sometimes called Full-Birds referring to their rank insignia of an eagle. However, brigade commanders (Colonels) are in more of a supporting roll rather than actual combat roll.

8. scandguard - January 29th, 2010 at 6:04 pm

   I say Lieutentant Colonel. Lt Colonels are battalion commanders. The tactial headquarters of a battalion is very close to the front lines. The commanding officer and the operation officer is usually with the tactial headquarters.

9. bobsanden - January 31st, 2010 at 1:25 am

   It depends on the size of the unit. The highest ranking officer you would find physically on the battlefield (US Army) would normally be a one-star Brigadeer General (BG). This would be an assistant division commander. You will see higher ranking generals after areas are secured or in rear echelon areas, but BG’s usually are the highest found when the shooting is still active. Two examples I can give you were on D-Day, 6 June 1944. US Army 4th Infantry Division was led ashore on Utah Beach by BG Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., son of president Theodore Roosevelt. The other example is the 29th Infantry Division led ashore on Omaha Beach by BG Norman Cota.

10. warcry80 - February 2nd, 2010 at 6:50 pm

    5-star general for officers….only in times of war and only in certain branches.

    In peacetime it would be a 4-star general for officers.

    For enlisted always E-9.

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