5 stars for General Petraeus?

General General Discussion
1

Interesting move afoot to try to get a 5th star for General Petraeus.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/01/13/petraeus.five.stars/index.html?hpt=T2

2

Isn’t GOA reserved for times of declared war only? I thought the purpose of awarding the 5th star was to ensure that the US commander would be of equal or greater rank than the opposing forces’ general.

Granted it would be great for Petraeus, and he undoubtedly deserves the 5th star, it would diverge from established traditions and practices of the Army. If I remember correctly, the last 5 Star General of the Army was General Bradley

http://www.army.mil/symbols/officerDescription2.html

3

Aw, shucks, just elect him Commander-in-Chief.

4

Purpose was to give parity of our highest ranking generals to British Field Marshals during WWII.

5