Christopher W. Lentz, M.D., FACS, FCCM is a board certified burn surgeon and medical director of the INTEGRIS Paul Silverstein Burn Center in Oklahoma City. He was recently promoted to the rank of Brigadier General in the United States Air Force.
Brigadier General is a permanent rank, just above Colonel and directly below Major General. The rank insignia of Brigadier General is a single, silver star.
Promotion to a Brigadier General is a lengthy process. Eligible officers are screened by a promotion board consisting of general officers from their branch of service. This promotion board then generates a list of officers it recommends for promotion to general rank. This list is then sent to the service secretary and the joint chiefs for review before it can be sent to the President, through the defense secretary, for consideration. The President nominates officers to be promoted from this list with the advice of the Secretary of Defense, the service secretary, and if applicable, the service’s chief of staff or commandant. The Senate must then confirm the nominee by a majority vote before the officer can be promoted.
This year, President Obama nominated 36 Air Force colonels for promotion to brigadier general.
Lentz has had an extensive military career, dating back to the 1980s. He moved up the ranks from 2nd Lieutenant in 1984 to Colonel in 2007. He served as a military surgeon and critical care air transport physician on numerous tours and assignments. He has also earned many decorations and awards. Lentz came to INTEGRIS in Jan. 2013.
