Senior general (Myanmar)

Senior general is the highest rank in the Tatmadaw, only held by the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services. A five star rank, it is equivalent to Field Marshal in the British Army and General of the Army in the United States Army. Since 2011, an officer appointed as CinCDS has to be quickly promoted one higher rank every year until he get the rank of Senior general.
An officer holding the rank of Senior general can wear any uniform from any of the branches of the Tatmadaw (armed forces of Myanmar.

History

In 1990, the Myanmar Armed Forces underwent structural changes, during which Commander-in-Chief General Saw Maung elevated himself to the rank of Senior General on 18 March 1990, becoming the first person to hold this rank. Than Shwe was subsequently promoted directly from the rank of General to Senior General on 23 April 1993. He served in this position until his retirement on 30 March 2011. In March 2013, Min Aung Hlaing was promoted to Senior General from his prior role as Vice-senior general.