Canada's prime minister announced Wednesday the appointment of Lieutenant-General Jennie Carignan as the first woman to lead the G7 and NATO member nation's military.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ca/post/25268260

Canada’s prime minister announced Wednesday the appointment of Lieutenant-General Jennie Carignan as the first woman to lead the G7 and NATO member nation’s military.

  • atro_city@fedia.io
    3·
    4 months ago

    I thought there were multiple generals. Or is there a general on top of other generals?

    • BenVimes@lemmy.caEnglish
      8·
      4 months ago

      Canada’s military is small enough that there is typically only one officer with the rank of General (or Admiral if they are from the navy), and their position is the Chief of Defence Staff. I think a second General is appointed if Canada gets a seat on the UN Security Council, to act as the senior military advisor for the delegation.

      There are more Lieutenant Generals (and Vice Admirals), and the CDS is appointed from their ranks when a new one is needed.

      EDIT: To clarify further, there are multiple ranks with the word “general” in them. In order of increasing seniority, they are (with equivalent navy ranks in parentheses):

      1. Brigadier General (Commodore)
      2. Major General (Rear Admiral)
      3. Lieutenant General (Vice Admiral)
      4. General (Admiral)