Lieutenant general facts for kids

A lieutenant general is a very important rank in the military, like a high-level manager in an army! It's a rank used in many countries around the world. Think of it as a step below the very top "general" rank, but still a super important leader. This rank is part of a system called NATO code OF-8, which helps different countries understand each other's military ranks.

Lt Gen US Military

A Look Back in Time

The idea of a lieutenant general started a long, long time ago in the Middle Ages. Back then, a lieutenant general was usually the second-in-command on the battlefield. This means they were the main helper and assistant to the top commander, who was often called a "captain general." So, if the captain general was busy or needed help, the lieutenant general would step in to lead.

What a Lieutenant General Does Today

In most modern armies, a lieutenant general is a very senior officer. They usually rank just below a full general and above a major general. It's a bit like a ladder of command, and the lieutenant general is high up on that ladder.

This rank has equivalents in other parts of the military too:

• In the navy, the equivalent rank is a vice admiral.
• In air forces that have their own special rank system, the equivalent is often an air marshal.

In the US Army, a lieutenant general often commands a large group of soldiers called an army corps. An army corps is a very big military unit, so leading one means a lot of responsibility!

Lieutenant Generals Around the World

In some countries, the rank of lieutenant general is actually the highest army rank that is actively used. For example:

• In Latvia and Lithuania, the person in charge of all defence forces is a lieutenant general.
• In the Irish Defence Forces and Israeli forces, the Chief of Staff (the top military leader) holds this rank.

So, while it's a high rank everywhere, its exact position and importance can vary a little from country to country.

Images for kids

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  Generalleutnant (Austrian Army)

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  General-leytenant (Azerbaijani Land Forces)

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  Генерал-лейтенант General-leytenant (Bulgarian Land Forces)

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  Ģenerālleitnants (Latvian Land Forces)

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  Lieutenant general (Philippine Army)

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  Генерал-лейтенант General-lejtenant (Tajik National Army)

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  Teniente general (Spanish Marine Infantry)

See also

In Spanish: Teniente general para niños