colonels

Colonel is a senior military officer rank used in many armed forces around the world. The term comes from the Italian colonnello, from colonna meaning column, with the sense of a commander of a column of troops; it entered Western usage through French. In English, the spelling preserves the Latin-tinged form, but pronunciation remained irregular over time.

In most modern armed forces, colonel ranks above lieutenant colonel and below a general officer such as a brigadier or major general. A colonel typically commands a regiment or brigade-sized unit, or serves in high-level staff positions at division or higher headquarters. In some forces, colonels may also oversee large installations, academies, or major departmental functions within the defense establishment. Promotion to colonel reflects many years of service and experience, often including extensive command and staff assignments.

Insignia and rank markings for colonel vary by country and service. Common motifs include birds, crowns, or oak leaves, depending on the tradition of the armed force. For example, in the United States Army, the colonel rank insignia is a silver eagle. Other nations may use different symbols or arrangements to denote the same pay grade and level of responsibility.

Historically, the rank originated from the commander of a column of troops in the field, and over time it became a formal military rank. Across periods and regions, colonels have generally held senior command and staff roles, acting as senior officers within regiments, brigades, or larger formations.