General

The rank and title of General encompasses the highest level of a commissioned officer in an army organization, and is occasionally used by some starfighter operations. A General is also referred to as a Flag Officer on some occasions. Generals are always in charge of something, whether that be a base, a corps of troops, a wing of starfighters, or as the chief commander of an entire armed forces branch.

There were several derivatives of the General rank, based on seniority and capability. They included Major General and Lieutenant General below, and (in the Galactic Empire) Surface Marshal and Grand General above. In the New Republic, the only rank senior to General was General of the Army.

Galactic Empire
In the Imperial Army, a general commanded a field army, consisting of four corps. In the Stormtrooper Corps, a general usually commanded a legion. Generals also commanded individual garrisons or special task forces.

New Republic
The rank of general was awarded to very few officers in each branch, the New Republic Army and Starfighter Corps. Generals typically headed departments at Army or Starfighter Command, or commanded large task forces.

Other usage
Many planetary security forces used the rank of general.