General (Canada)

General
Shoulder insignia Left: Army Right: Air Force
Country	Canada
Service branch	Canadian Army Royal Canadian Air Force
Abbreviation	GEN or Gen.
Rank	Four-maple leaf (four-star)
NATO rank	OF-9
Non-NATO rank	O-10
Formation	19th century
Next higher rank	Governor General of Canada (highest)
Next lower rank	Lieutenant-general
Equivalent ranks	Admiral (Royal Canadian Navy)

The military rank of general in Canada is typically held by only one officer whose position is Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) and the senior uniformed officer of the Canadian Forces. The rank is referred to as 'four-star', a reference to its American equivalent. It is the equivalent of the naval rank of admiral. Prior to the 1968 unification of the Canadian Forces, the equivalent rank in the Royal Canadian Air Force was air chief marshal.

The current incumbent of the position of CDS is Jonathan Vance.

The rank insignia for a general in the Royal Canadian Air Force is a wide braid below three narrow braid on the cuff, as well as four silver maple leaves, beneath crossed sword and baton, all surmounted by St. Edward's Crown, worn on the shoulder straps of the Service Dress tunic. In the Canadian Army, the rank insignia is a wide braid on the cuff, as well as four gold maple leaves, beneath crossed sword and baton, all surmounted by St. Edward's Crown, worn on the shoulder straps of the Service Dress tunic. The rank is also worn on slip-ons on other uniforms. On the visor of the service cap are two rows of gold oak leaves.

• Army uniform variations
• 
  Dress uniform tunic - sleeve
• 
  Uniform shirts (insignia used 2013-2016)

• Air Force uniform variations
• 
  Dress uniform tunic - sleeve
• 
  CADPAT uniform

See also

• Canadian Forces ranks and insignia