<P> A five - star rank is a very senior military rank, first established in the United States in 1944, with a five - star general insignia, and corresponding ranks in other countries . The rank is that of the most senior operational military commanders, and within NATO's "standard rank scale" it is designated by the code OF - 10 . </P> <P> Not all armed forces have such a rank, and in those that do the actual insignia of the "five - star ranks" may not contain five stars . For example: the insignia for the French OF - 10 rank maréchal de France contains 7 stars; the insignia for the Portuguese marechal contains four gold stars; and many of the insignia of the ranks in Commonwealth of Nations contain no stars at all . </P> <P> Typically, five - star officers hold the rank of general of the army, admiral of the fleet, field marshal, marshal or general of the air force, and several other similarly named ranks . Five - star ranks are extremely senior--usually the highest ranks . As an active rank, the position exists only in a minority of countries and is usually held by only a very few officers during wartime . In times of peace, it is usually held only as an honorary rank . </P> <P> Despite the rarity and seniority of five - star officers, even more senior ranks have been adopted in the United States, namely, admiral of the navy and general of the armies . Other names for highly senior ranks from the twentieth century include généralissime (France), generalisimo (Spain) and generalissimus (USSR). </P>

Is there such thing as a 5 star general