The rank can also be held by Royal Marines officers in tri-service posts, for example, Generals Sir Gordon Messenger and Gwyn Jenkins, former and current Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff.

[1] It is equivalent to a full admiral in the Royal Navy or an air chief marshal in the Royal Air Force.

Officers holding the ranks of lieutenant-general and major-general may be generically considered to be generals.

A general's insignia is a crossed sword and baton.

The insignia for the highest rank, that of Field Marshal, consists of crossed batons within a wreath and surmounted by a crown.