List of active duty United States three-star officers

By convention, however: The president may also designate positions of importance and responsibility to other agencies in the executive branch aside from the Coast Guard and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to be held by an officer with the rank of vice admiral, with corresponding pay and allowance.

[201] Finally, all statutory limits may be waived at the president's discretion during time of war or national emergency.

[229] One-star and two-star billets may be elevated to three-star or four-star level as appropriate, either by act of Congress, or within statutory limits by the services at their discretion.

The standard tour length for a three-star officer is three years, specifically a two-year term with a one-year extension.

Unlike with four-star ranks, many three-star positions have stipulated term lengths in the U.S. Code: All appointees serve at the pleasure of the president.

Some statutory limits of tour length under the U.S. Code can be waived in times of national emergency or war.

[300][301][302] The secretary of defense must also notify the House and Senate Armed Services committees and include a written notification of intent from the president to nominate the officer for reassignment.

[300][301][302] Senior officers typically retire well in advance of the statutory age and service limits, so as not to impede the upward career mobility of their juniors.

Historically, officers leaving three-star or four-star positions were allowed to revert to their permanent two-star ranks to mark time in lesser jobs until statutory retirement, but now such officers are expected to retire immediately to avoid obstructing the promotion flow.

[314][315] Three-star officers who do not meet the service-in-rank requirement will retire at the last permanent rank satisfactorily held for six months.

It is extraordinarily rare for a three-star or four-star officer not to be certified to retire in grade or for the Senate to seek final approval.

[332] Officers holding a temporary three-star or four-star rank typically step down from their posts up to 60 days in advance of their official retirement dates.