Are Generals Created Equal.

The purpose of this study was to survey and analyze the characteristics of Colonels selected for Brigadier General in the Active Army, Army Reserve and Army National Guard. The specific descriptors compared and contrasted were age, branch, source of commission, civilian education and military education. In addition, the nature of the position held when promoted to Brigadier General was studied. No attempt was made to compare command and staff experience and Officer Efficiency Ratings, fundamentally significant, were not available and thus not studied. The study was limited to promotion in 1973 because that was the last full year for which biographical sketches were available. This study of Brigadier Generals selected in 1973 in the Army revealed some variances in their preparation which can be attributed to the narrowness of the selection process and the career management procedures for Reserve Component Officers. The author concludes that, to become more mobilization ready, the Reserve Components should more closely imitate the Active Army in subjectively guiding its young officers and in objectively selecting its generals.