<P> This is a complete list of four - star generals in the United States Air Force . The rank of general (or full general, or four - star general) is the highest rank normally achievable in the U.S. Air Force . It ranks above lieutenant general (three - star general) and below General of the Air Force (five - star general). </P> <P> There have been 215 four - star generals in the history of the U.S. Air Force . Of these, 211 achieved that rank while on active duty, 3 were promoted after retirement, and one was promoted posthumously . Generals entered the Air Force via several paths: 60 were commissioned via the U.S. Military Academy (USMA), 49 via the aviation cadet program, 39 via the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), 38 via Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) at a civilian university, 12 via AFROTC at a senior military college, 8 via Air Force Officer Training School (OTS), 4 via the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), 2 via direct commission, one via Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) at a civilian university, one via the Army National Guard (ARNG), and one via the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). </P>

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