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gp38runner
12-23-09, 07:16 PM
Is it common for a Colonel (O-6) to be promoted right to Major General (O-8), and skip Brigadier General (O-7) altogether ? I found this press release on the DOD website.

General Officer Announcement

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced today that the President has made the following nomination:

Marine Corps Col. Vaughn A. Ary has been nominated for appointment to the rank of major general. Ary is currently serving as the deputy staff judge advocate to the commandant of the Marine Corps, Washington, D.C.

http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=13200 (mhtml:{24B0F853-4E0F-442D-A935-318D7CD2A74A}mid://00000001/!x-usc:http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=13200)


It's also on the U.S. Senate website for nominations.

http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/legislative/one_item_and_teasers/nom_cmten.htm (mhtml:{24B0F853-4E0F-442D-A935-318D7CD2A74A}mid://00000001/!x-usc:http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/legislative/one_item_and_teasers/nom_cmten.htm)

Garyius
12-23-09, 07:45 PM
The Judge Advocate General (the head lawyer in the Corps) is a Major General to give him the same standing as a wing/division commander and major activity commander. The jump from O-6 to O-8 is because if he were only an O-7 the division commanders would be telling their junior what they wanted to do legally, instead of asking their equal what they are allowed to do. Big difference.

Garyius
12-23-09, 07:52 PM
I screwed up my last post. The head Marine lawyer is called the Staff Judge Advocate, not the JAG, ooops.

temarti
12-23-09, 11:56 PM
Recently retired, Lt.Gen. Coleman went from Brig. Gen to Lt. Gen, he never wore Maj. Gen.

josephd
12-24-09, 01:04 AM
I have heard of this happening based on the billet that the officer holds...basically like Cpl. Garyius said if he is appointed to a particular job/billet that requires that rank they rate him/her as such.