Claim: Robin Rand started his Air Force career as a Second Lieutenant in 1979, and rose through the ranks, achieving the four-star rank of General in 2013, the highest achievable officer rank in the Air Force which can be maintained in retirement if conditions are met.
Evidence: Four-star grades go hand-in-hand with the positions of office to which they are linked, so the rank is temporary; the active rank of general can only be held for so long- though upon retirement, if satisfactory service requirements are met, the general or admiral is normally allowed to hold that rank in retirement, rather than reverting to a lower position, as was formerly usually the case. Their active rank expires with the expiration of their term of office, which is usually set by statute.