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In the US military, a colonel in the Army, Air Force and Marine Corps is equivalent to a captain in the Navy; the insignia for all four positions is a silver eagle (hence the slang term "bird colonel" to distinguish a full colonel from a lieutenant or "light" colonel). American colonels usually command infantry brigades and USMC regiments.

In the British forces, colonels are just below brigadiers. They are not usually field commanders, instead typically serving as staff officers in between field commands at battalion and brigade level. The insignia is two diamond shaped pips (sometimes called "stars") and a crown. The crown has varied in the past with different monarchThis article treats the generic title monarch . For the origins of the word king and its English use, see Germanic king. For other meanings of the word, see Monarch (disambiguation A monarch is a type of ruler or head of state. The word derives from Greeks.

In the Confederate army during the American Civil WarThe American Civil War was fought in the United States from 1861 until 1865 between the northern states, popularly referred to as "the U. the Union," " the North," or "the Yankees"; and the seceding southern states, commonly referred to as "the Confederat a colonel wore an insignia of three stars (not to be confused with the three stars in a wreath worn by Confederate generals). The rank insignia of Colonel was worn by General Robert E Lee throughout his service, even after he became overall commander of the Confederate Armies in 18651865 is a common year starting on Sunday. Events January 31 American Civil War: Confederate General Robert E. Lee becomes general-in-chief. February 17 American Civil War: Columbia, South Carolina burns as Confederate forces flee from advancing Union forc.

1 Colonel of the regiment

In the British ArmyThe British Army is the land armed forces of the United Kingdom. It numbers 99,400 fully trained and professional regulars (as of April 2004). In contrast to the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force, the British Army does not include royal in its title, bec, colonel can also refer to the ceremonial head of a regiment; this is almost always a general officer, often retired, with a close link to the regiment in question. This position is often described as colonel of the regiment to distinguish it from the rank of colonel. See this official list.

Also see colonel-in-chief.

2 See also

• Comparative military ranks
• U.S. Army officer rank insignia
• British Army officer rank insignia

The Colonel is also often a shorthand reference to Harland Sanders, the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken, who was an honorary Kentucky colonel. The title is an honorary title offered to celebrities by the Governor of Kentucky.