Army general

Description

Army generals command large divisions of the army. They perform management duties, administrative duties, and planning and strategic duties. They develop policies for the improvement of the military and general defence, and ensure the nation’s safety.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to army general:

lieutenant general
military general
major general
general
general military
armed forces general

Minimum qualifications

High school diploma is generally required to work as army general. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

  • the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
  • the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
  • the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Army general is a Skill level 4 occupation.

Army general career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to army general.

brigadier
colonel
fleet commander
army major
lieutenant

Long term prospects

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of army general. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of army general with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of army general.

Military logistics: The operations of the supply and demand of goods and recources on military bases and during military operations on the field, the disruption of enemy supplies, cost analysis, equipment demands, and other military logistics activities.

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of army general.

Manage budgets: Plan, monitor and report on the budget.
Manage staff: Manage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the workers to meet the company objectives. Monitor and measure how an employee undertakes their responsibilities and how well these activities are executed. Identify areas for improvement and make suggestions to achieve this. Lead a group of people to help them achieve goals and maintain an effective working relationship among staff.
Ensure public safety and security: Implement the relevant procedures, strategies and use the proper equipment to promote local or national security activities for the protection of data, people, institutions, and property.
Defend human rights: Protect human rights towards and between colleagues and also towards the civil populations one is in contact with.
Manage administrative systems: Ensure administrative systems, processes and databases are efficient and well managed and give the sound basis to work together with the administrative officer/staff/professional.
Set organisational policies: Participate in setting organisational policies that cover issues such as participant eligibility, program requirements, and program benefits for the service users.
Delegate activities: Delegate activities and tasks to others according to the ability, level of preparation, competence and legal scope of practice. Make sure that people understand what they should do and when they should do it.
Develop defence policies: Develop strategies for the development and implementation of defence policies, for national or international defence organisations and operations, to improve security and to better operate in dangerous situations and against threats.
Maintain operational communications: Maintain communications between different departments of an organisation, between the staff, or during specific operations or missions, to ensure that the operation or mission is successful, or that the organisation functions smoothly.
Manage military logistics: Manage the supply and demand of resources on a military base or during a mission on field to troops in need, analyse equipment needs, interfere with enemy supplies, perform cost analysis, and other logistics activities specific to military operations.
Analyse potential threats against national security: Analyse the possibilities of potential threats and actions taken against national security in order to develop preventive measures and aid with the development of military tactics and operations.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of army general. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Military code: The code language used in specific intelligence or military organisations and operations, how to use and decipher them.
Military combat techniques: The fighting techniques specific to military operations, using military weapons and equipment, and the regulations concerning military combat actions.
Military weaponry: The types of arms used by different military organisations, such as army, navy or air force and in different nations worldwide; the weapons’ aspects, damage potential and ways to defend against them.
Military drill: The marching techniques and use of weapons, and other disciplinary methods applied in military operations.

Optional skills and competences

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of army general. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Undertake inspections: Undertake safety inspections in areas of concern to identify and report potential hazards or security breaches; take measures to maximise safety standards.
Manage troop deployment: Manage the deployment of troops to areas in conflict, or in need of aid, and oversee the deployment procedures. Manage the deployment of the troops within an area for specific missions, and ensure the troops and resources are allocated to the missions in compliance with tactical considerations and safety of the troops.
Ensure information security: Ensure that the information gathered during surveillance or investigations remains in the hands of those authorised to receive and use it, and does not fall into enemy or otherwise non-authorised individuals’ hands.
Manage security clearance: Manage the systems and monitor the functioning of the security clearance system and staff working to ensure security of the facility, to ensure no non-authorised individuals acquire access and to monitor potential risks and threats.
Devise military tactics: Devise the strategic and tactical components of a military operation, taking into account the available equipment and assigning tasks to the different troops, and supervising the use of weapons and other battle equipment.
Identify security threats: Identify security threats during investigations, inspections, or patrols, and perform the necessary actions to minimise or neutralise the threat.
Apply health and safety standards: Adhere to standards of hygiene and safety established by respective authorities.
Monitor military equipment use: Monitor the use by military staff of specific military equipment to ensure that no unauthorised personnel gains access to specific types of equipment, that everyone handles the equipment according to regulations, and that it is only used in appropriate circumstances.
Conduct public presentations: Speak in public and interact with those present. Prepare notices, plans, charts, and other information to support the presentation.

ISCO group and title

110 – Commissioned armed forces officers

 

 


 

 

References
  1. Army general – ESCO
Last updated on August 8, 2022