Yup. My dad retired as a bird colonel and went to Baylor, then OCS. And I think Colonel Day who lived across the street came from a random university in Iowa.

Yup. My dad retired as a bird colonel and went to Baylor, then OCS. And I think Colonel Day who lived across the street came from a random university in Iowa. But my dad had more than 10 air medals, a couple DFCs, multiple-award silver star, bronze star w/ V and Colonel Day had the most amazing array of ribbons topped with a CMH. So another way is to kick ass and get a lot of awards. Though I don't know if that gets you into the General ranks. I think there's an assumption that Generals have to be pretty politically aware and people who rack up the medals and awards may be "opinionated." I mean... there's a reason John McCain retired as a Captain and not an Admiral, despite family connections. Which is to say... I think you're onto a general rule, but like everything else there are exceptions.