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The military rank of general in Canada is typically held by only one officer whose position is Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) and the senior uniformed officer of the Canadian Forces. The rank is referred to as 'four-star', a reference to its American equivalent. It is the equivalent of the naval rank of admiral. Prior to the 1968 unification of the Canadian Forces, the equivalent rank in the Royal Canadian Air Force was air chief marshal.
The current incumbent of the position of CDS is Jonathan Vance.
The rank insignia for a general in the Royal Canadian Air Force is a wide braid below three narrow braid on the cuff, as well as four silver maple leaves, beneath crossed sword and baton, all surmounted by St. Edward's Crown, worn on the shoulder straps of the Service Dress tunic. In the Canadian Army, the rank insignia is a wide braid on the cuff, as well as four gold maple leaves, beneath crossed sword and baton, all surmounted by St. Edward's Crown, worn on the shoulder straps of the Service Dress tunic. The rank is also worn on slip-ons on other uniforms. On the visor of the service cap are two rows of gold oak leaves.