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Army Major General

O-8 General Officer, U.S. Army
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Army Ranks » Major General RankMG PayMG Rank HistoryPromotion Information

Army Promotion to O-8 Major General

A Major General is a General Officer in the United States Army at DoD paygrade O-8. This page describes how the Army determines who is eligible for the promotion list to Major General.

Promotion to the rank of Mjaor General is even more highly competitive than the struggle for promotion to BG.

In order to be promoted to Major General, candidate officers serving in the grade of Brigadier General are evaluated by already appointed generals, formerly of the candidates’ original branches of service, of the grade of Major General or higher.

Candidates deemed worthy of promotion by the board of generals are recommended for promotion to the Secretary of the Army and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

These two officers give their recommendation on the worthiness of candidates for promotion. Those that they recommend are forwarded to the Secretary of Defense for a further evaluation by that office.

Those that the SECDEF believes should be promoted are submitted to the President for his final approval or disapproval. Approved candidates are given an appointment by the Commander-in-Chief. The issuance of new commission in the new grade and rank is withheld unless the United States Senate approves the appointment/

Upon approval by the senate, appointed officers are permanently promoted to the rank of Major General.

Want to learn more? Read about the Army's Major General rank on Military-Ranks.org.