Général is the French word for general. There are two main categories of generals: the general officers (officiers généraux), which are the highest-ranking commanding officers in the armed forces, and the specialist officers with flag rank (officiers des services avec rang d'officer général), which are high-level officers in the other uniformed services.

General officers

Army

History

The French army of the monarchy had several ranks of general officer: During the French Revolution, the ranks of maréchal de camp and lieutenant general were renamed général de brigade and général de division, and the appointment of général was renamed général en chef. In 1793, the dignity of maréchal de France was abolished. Napoléon Bonaparte reinstated the dignity of maréchal de France, now named maréchal d'empire. In 1814, the ranks of général de brigade and général de division reverted to maréchal de camp and lieutenant général, but were changed back again in 1848. The Third Republic of the 1880s reorganised the ranks of général: World War I Established in 1921

Ranks as of 2013

In France, army generals are named after the type of unit they command.

Air force

Specialist officers

Armament

Maritime Administration

Military Administration

Military engineering