A brigadier general is a military officer who ranks above a colonel and below a major general, with the first of the general ranks and entitled to a single star. They command a brigade and are expected to maintain a high standard of behavior. The rank is not available in all militaries worldwide, and officers must generally receive their commission from a government representative. Becoming a one-star general requires hard work and dedication to the military.
A brigadier general is a commissioned military officer who ranks above a colonel and below a major general. The rank of brigadier general is the first of the general ranks, entitling officers with this title to a single star. Brigadier Generals are sometimes referred to as “One Star Generals” in reference to this. This military rank is not available in all militaries worldwide, but it is extremely common. The naval equivalent is the title of rear admiral (lower half).
As the title might suggest, a brigadier general commands a brigade, a unit of troops within a division. Historically, people of this rank commanded troops in the field, with the assistance of aides who ensured their work ran smoothly. Some brigadier generals continue to work in the field today, depending on the nations they serve, while others remain at headquarters or in offices, so they can see the big picture, rather than just the limited information available in the field.
Officers who hold a commission must generally receive their commission from a government representative, classically the head of state, such as the president, king or queen. In some regions, the appointment of a petty officer is subject to a confirmation hearing, as is the case in the United States, where the Senate confirms military commissions. To reach the rank of brigadier general, a commissioned officer generally must have served several years, usually decades, of service.
In the United States Army, Brigadier General has a pay grade of O-8. In the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), where standardized rankings are used in an effort to make international military ranks equivalent, the Brigadier General is considered an OF-6. OF ranks in NATO are used to identify officers who hold commissions. Other servicemen may refer to this rank as “Brigadier General”.
Becoming a one-star general requires hard work and a dedication to the military. People who achieve this rank are usually career officers, people who are committed to serving in the military for life. As high-ranking commissioned officers, Brigadier Generals are required to maintain a very high standard of personal and professional behavior, as their actions reflect directly on their head of state and nation. Lower-ranking members of the military are expected to greet brigadier generals when they appear in uniform, addressing them as “Brigadier General” in the first instance and “Ma’am” or “Sir” in future instances.
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