The design of the Marine Corps’ Service Aiguillettes is tailored to reflect the rank of the officer or official whom an aide or attachés has been assigned. Aides to Lieutenant Generals or Vice Admirals, who hold a three-star rank, wear an aiguillette made of three cords of gold wire with scarlet bands.
U.S. Statute sets limits not only on the total number of General Officers in each of the branches of the Armed Forces, but also the maximum serving at a given rank such as Lieutenant General. The number of Marine Corps General Officers from one-star Brigadier Generals to four-star general is capped at 62 ( the minimum is 21 and falls to 17 in 2022). Of the 62, 17 may be serving as either General (capped at just 2) or Lieutenant General at any one time.
The rank of Lieutenant General is a temporary one, often associated with a specific billet or command. Many of generals appointed as Deputy Commandants (DC) of various departments at Headquarters Marine Corps Aviation, Programs and Resources, and Combat Development and Integration hold the rank of Lieutenant General. In the Marine Corps, Lieutenant Generals also command Marine Expeditionary Forces, which are comprised of ground combat units, aerial wings, and force support units and can exceeed 45,000 personnel.