The command is responsible for the combat readiness of active Army and Army Reserve units, as well as the training and supervision of the Army National Guard during peacetime. It sounds like a relatively simple description, but in fact, encompasses all strategic decision-making during wartime and peacetime. The president nominates officers for the rank of general, and the U.S. Senate must confirm the appointment. When a general retires or loses the rank for some other reason, the president suggests a replacement from a list of nominees. The mandatory retirement age is 62, though it can be pushed to 64 in some cases.
