It is rare for four-star officers to be relieved of command.

It is headed by a four-star officer designated as Chairman.

It is extraordinarily rare for a four-star officer not to retire in that grade.

"We're constantly reading the tea leaves very carefully," said one four-star officer with experience in the Middle East.

"We need to see something more than handshakes and speeches," a four-star military officer said.

All two-, three- and four-star officers get the same base pay, with small differences for length of service.

But the pay of three- and four-star officers will increase only to $72,500, still well below their authorized amounts.

General Casey is already a four-star officer, and presumably could be installed in the new position more rapidly.

Because of the cap on their seniors, they make only $25.20 a year less than the three- and four-star officers.

The Senate must confirm the retirement ranks of all three- and four-star officers.