Colonel

Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col, or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations.

In the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge of a regiment in an army. Modern usage varies greatly, and in some cases, the term is used as an honorific title that may have no direct relationship to military. In some smaller military forces, such as those of Monaco or the Vatican, colonel is the highest rank.

Equivalent naval ranks may be called captain or ship-of-the-line captain. In the Commonwealth's air force ranking system, the equivalent rank is group captain.

History and origins

By the end of the late medieval period, a group of "companies" was referred to as a "column" of an army. According to Raymond Oliver, c. 1500, the Spanish began explicitly reorganizing part of their army into 20 colunelas or columns of approximately 1,000–1,250 soldiers. Each colunela was commanded by a cabo de colunela or column head. Because they were crown units who are directly under the control of the monarch or sovereign of a country,[further explanation needed] the units were also confusingly called coronelas, and their commanders coronels.[1] Evidence of this can be seen when Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba, nicknamed "the Great Captain", divided his armies in coronelías, each led by a coronel, in 1508.[2]

Later, in the 16th century, the French army adopted this organizational structure, renaming colunelas regiments. Even so, they simply Gallicized colunela to the French colonel and pronounced it as written. The English then copied the unit and rank from the French. However, for reasons unknown, the English adopted the Spanish pronunciation of coronel, and after several decades of use shortened it to its current two-syllable pronunciation "kernel". Colonel is linked to the word column (from Latin: columna; Italian: colonna; French: colonne) in a similar way that brigadier is linked to brigade, although in English this relationship is not immediately obvious.[1]

With the shift from primarily mercenary to primarily national armies in the course of the 17th century, a colonel (normally a member of the aristocracy) became a holder (German Inhaber) or proprietor of a military contract with a sovereign. The colonel purchased the regimental contract—the right to hold the regiment—from the previous holder of that right or directly from the sovereign when a new regiment was formed or an incumbent was killed.[citation needed]

As the office of colonel became an established practice, the colonel became the senior captain in a group of companies that were all sworn to observe his personal authority—to be ruled or regimented by him. This regiment, or governance, was to some extent embodied in a contract and set of written rules, also referred to as the colonel's regiment or standing regulation(s). By extension, the group of companies subject to a colonel's regiment (in the foregoing sense) came to be referred to as his regiment (in the modern sense) as well.[citation needed]

In French usage of this period, the senior colonel in the army or, in a field force, the senior military contractor, was the colonel general, and, in the absence of the sovereign or his designate, the colonel general might serve as the commander of a force. The position, however, was primarily contractual and it became progressively more of a functionless sinecure. The head of a single regiment or demi-brigade would be called a 'mestre de camp' or, after the Revolution, a 'chef de brigade'.[citation needed]

By the late 19th century, colonel had evolved to a professional military rank that was still held typically by an officer in command of a regiment or equivalent unit. Along with other ranks, it has become progressively more a matter of ranked duties, qualifications, and experience, as well as of corresponding titles and pay scale, than of functional office in a particular organization.[citation needed]

As European military influence expanded throughout the world, the rank of colonel became adopted by nearly every nation (albeit under a variety of names).[citation needed]

During the 20th century, with the rise of communism, some of the large communist militaries saw fit to expand the colonel rank into several grades, resulting, for example, in the unique senior colonel rank, which was found and is still used in such nations as China and North Korea.[citation needed]

Colonel-in-chief

In many modern armies, the regiment has more importance as a ceremonial unit or a focus of members' loyalty than as an actual battle formation. Troops tend to be deployed in battalions (commanded by a lieutenant colonel) as a more convenient size of military unit and, as such, colonels have tended to have a higher profile in specialist and command roles than as actual commanders of regiments. However, in Commonwealth armies, the position of the colonel as the figurehead of a regiment is maintained in the honorary role of "colonel-in-chief", usually held by a member of the royal family,[3] the nobility, or a retired senior military officer. The colonel-in-chief wears a colonel's uniform and encourages the members of the regiment, but takes no active part in the actual command structure or in any operational duties.[4]

Colonel of the Regiment

The title Colonel of the Regiment (to distinguish it from the military rank of colonel) continues to be used in the modern British Army. The ceremonial position is often conferred on retired general officers, brigadiers or colonels who have a close link to a particular regiment. Non-military personnel, usually for positions within the Army Reserve may also be appointed to the ceremonial position. When attending functions as "Colonel of the Regiment", the titleholder wears the regimental uniform with rank insignia of (full) colonel, regardless of their official rank. A member of the Royal Family is known as a Royal Colonel. A Colonel of the Regiment is expected to work closely with a regiment and its Regimental Association.[citation needed]

Colonel by country

Insignia

Insignia of army colonels

Insignia of air force colonels

Insignia of naval infantry colonels

Insignia of colonels of other services

Colonel as highest-ranking officer

Some military forces have a colonel as their highest-ranking officer, with no 'general' ranks, and no superior authority (except, perhaps, the head of state as a titular commander-in-chief) other than the respective national government. Examples include the following (arranged alphabetically by country name):

Rank insignia for a colonel in several nations which have no higher military rank
Iceland Monaco Vatican City
Colonel CCP Colonel CSP

Other uses of colonel ranks

The term colonel is also used as a title for auctioneers in the United States; there are a variety of theories or folk etymologies to explain the use of the term.[6] One of these is the claim that during the American Civil War goods seized by armies were sold at auction by the colonel of the division.[7]

Kentucky colonel is the highest title of honor bestowed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Commissions for Kentucky colonels are given by the Governor and the Secretary of State to individuals in recognition of noteworthy accomplishments and outstanding service to a community, state or the nation. This is the equivalent to a full colonel in the militia. The sitting governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky bestows the honor of a colonel's Commission, by issuance of letters patent. Perhaps the best known Kentucky colonel is Harland Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken fame.

The rank of colonel is also used by some police forces and paramilitary organizations.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Oliver, Raymond (1983). Why is the Colonel Called Kernal? (PDF). Sacramento, CA: Office of History, Sacramento Air Logistics Center. p. 13. Retrieved 2022-10-04.
  2. ^ Los tercios españoles. La batalla de Pavía at militar.org.ua (in Spanish, unspecified authorship)
  3. ^ See this list of colonel-in-chief appointments held by The Prince of Wales. Archived 2012-10-17 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ A webpage by a Scottish regiment concerning their colonel-in-chief. Archived 2007-12-19 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ "Minister Benschop bevorderd tot Generaal-Majoor". Suriname.nu (in Dutch). Archived from the original on June 24, 2020. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  6. ^ Leab, Daniel J.; Leab, Katharine Kyes (29 December 1981). The auction companion. Harper & Row. ISBN 9780060125561 – via Google Books.
  7. ^ Doyle, Robert A.; Baska, Steve (November 2002), "History of Auctions: From ancient Rome to todays high-tech auctions", Auctioneer, archived from the original on May 17, 2008, retrieved 2008-06-22

Bibliography

  • Keegan, John; Wheatcroft, Andrew (1996). Who's Who in Military History: From 1453 to the Present Day. London: Routledge.

Read other articles:

1975 single by David Martin This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: Can't Smile Without You – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (December 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) Can't Smile Without YouSingle by David MartinB-sideMagic RoundaboutReleased25 July 1975GenrePo...

Veľké Solisko Veľké Solisko von Norden her Höhe 2412 m n.m. Lage Slowakei Gebirge Hohe Tatra Koordinaten 49° 9′ 46″ N, 20° 1′ 55″ O49.16269420.0319722412Koordinaten: 49° 9′ 46″ N, 20° 1′ 55″ O Veľké Solisko (Slowakei) Typ Felsgipfel Erstbesteigung 1903 durch Karol Englisch und Paul Spitzkopf Der Berg mit einem Teil des Bergsees Vyšné Wahlenbergovo pleso Der „Amboss“ am Gipfel Veľké Solisko...

Global investment bank RBC Capital MarketsTypeSubsidiaryIndustryFinancial servicesFoundedHalifax, Nova Scotia, Canada in 1864HeadquartersToronto, Canada with 58 offices through 14 countriesArea servedWorldwideKey peopleChairman: Doug McGregor CEO: Derek NeldnerProductsInvestment Banking, Sales and Trading, Global Markets, US Municipal FinanceRevenueC$8.39 billion in fiscal year 2018Net incomeC$2.77 billion in 2018Number of employeesOver 7,800ParentRoyal Bank of CanadaRatingA1 / AA- (Moody's /...

Seyssuel Seyssuel (Frankreich) Staat Frankreich Region Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Département (Nr.) Isère (38) Arrondissement Vienne Kanton Vienne-1 Gemeindeverband Vienne Condrieu Koordinaten 45° 34′ N, 4° 51′ O45.5608333333334.8461111111111Koordinaten: 45° 34′ N, 4° 51′ O Höhe 141–357 m Fläche 9,75 km² Einwohner 2.063 (1. Januar 2020) Bevölkerungsdichte 212 Einw./km² Postleitzahl 38200 INSEE-Code 38487 Website https://ww...

Artikel ini sebatang kara, artinya tidak ada artikel lain yang memiliki pranala balik ke halaman ini.Bantulah menambah pranala ke artikel ini dari artikel yang berhubungan atau coba peralatan pencari pranala.Tag ini diberikan pada Januari 2023. Tope OshinOshin in 2015LahirTemitope Aina Oshin10 Juni 1979 (umur 44)Lagos, NigeriaKebangsaanNigeriaAlmamaterLagos State University, NigeriaColorado Film School, Community College of Aurora, DenverMet Film School, London.PekerjaanPembuat film, sut...

American basketball player Shavar NewkirkShavar Newkirk in 2022SK Slavia PrahaPositionPoint guardLeagueNational Basketball LeaguePersonal informationBorn (1996-05-06) May 6, 1996 (age 27)Bronx, New YorkNationalityAmericanListed height183 cm (6 ft 0 in)Listed weight79 kg (174 lb)Career informationHigh school Rice (Manhattan, New York) Cardinal Hayes (Bronx, New York) CollegeSaint Joseph's (2014–2018)NBA draft2018: undraftedPlaying career2018–presentCareer hist...

一例 ヴェックマン(独: Weckmann)は、ドイツにおけるパン菓子の一つ。主に人型をしている(動物の形の場合も)。 地域によって呼称はまちまちで、シュトゥーテンケアル(独: Stutenkerl)[1]や、スイスではグリティベンツ(Grittibänz)などとも呼ばれる。 現在のドイツでは、聖マーティン(トゥールのマルティヌス)の日である11月11日、マルティン・ルター...

Nama ini menggunakan cara penamaan Portugis. Nama keluarga pertama atau maternalnya adalah Silva dan nama keluarga kedua atau paternalnya adalah Duarte. Mário Rui Informasi pribadiNama lengkap Mário Rui Silva Duarte[1]Tanggal lahir 27 Mei 1991 (umur 32)[2]Tempat lahir Sines, Portugal[2]Tinggi 168 cm (5 ft 6 in)[3]Posisi bermain Bek kiriInformasi klubKlub saat ini NapoliNomor 6Karier junior2001–2003 Vasco Gama Sines2003–2007 Sportin...

Airport serving Curitiba, Brazil Curitiba–Afonso Pena International AirportAeroporto Internacional de Curitiba–Afonso PenaIATA: CWBICAO: SBCTSummaryAirport typePublicOperator Infraero (1974–2021) CCR (2021–present) ServesCuritibaLocationSão José dos Pinhais, BrazilFocus city forAzul Brazilian AirlinesTime zoneBRT (UTC−03:00)Elevation AMSL911 m / 2,988 ftCoordinates25°31′54″S 049°10′34″W / 25.53167°S 49.17611°W / -25.53167; -49.176...

Belief that the divine encompasses or is manifested in the material world Not to be confused with imminence or eminence. Immanent redirects here. Not to be confused with immanant. This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: Immanence – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (August 2014) (Learn how ...

American judge (born 1957) Steve C. JonesJudge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of GeorgiaIncumbentAssumed office March 3, 2011Appointed byBarack ObamaPreceded byOrinda Dale EvansJudge of the Georgia Superior Court for the Western Judicial CircuitIn office1995–2011Appointed byZell MillerJudge of the Municipal Court of Athens-Clarke CountyIn office1993–1995 Personal detailsBornSteve CarMichael Jones (1957-01-26) January 26, 1957 (age 66)Athens, Georgia...

Stasiun Warungdowo Warungdowo Stasiun Warung-Dowo ketika masih aktif dikelola PsSMLokasiJalan Raya Pasuruan-WarungdowoWarungdowo, Pohjentrek, Pasuruan, Jawa Timur 67171IndonesiaOperatorKereta Api IndonesiaDaerah Operasi IX JemberLetak dari pangkalkm 6+205 lintas Pasuruan–Warungdowo-Winongan[1]Informasi lainKode stasiunWDO-[2]SejarahDibuka21 Mei 1896Ditutup1988Nama sebelumnyaStation WaroengdowoPerusahaan awalPasoeroean Stoomtram MaatschappijOperasi layanan - Lokasi pada petaS...

Prado Estación PradoUbicaciónCoordenadas 6°15′25″N 75°33′58″O / 6.25694, -75.5661Dirección Carrera 51D # 57-100Barrio Prado (Medellín)Comuna La CandelariaMunicipio MedellínDatos de la estaciónInauguración 30 de noviembre de 1995N.º de vías 2Plataformas 2Tipología ElevadaOperador ETMVAServicios detalladosServicios dela estación Baños públicos Elementos de accesibilidadRutas integradas C6-008 C6-009 C6-022LíneasLínea(s) Línea A « Hospital ← → Parqu...

Amylopectin Identifiers CAS Number 9037-22-3 Y ChemSpider None ECHA InfoCard 100.029.907 EC Number 232-911-6 KEGG C00317 PubChem CID 439207 UNII 4XO4QFV777 Y CompTox Dashboard (EPA) DTXSID1093880 Properties Chemical formula [C6H10O5]n Molar mass Variable Appearance White powder Solubility in water Insoluble Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). N verify (what is...

Cobalt(II) naphthenatTên khácNaphtolitCobalt dinaphthenatNhận dạngSố CAS61789-51-3PubChem14048876Số RTECSQK8925000Ảnh Jmol-3DảnhSMILES đầy đủ c1ccc2cc(ccc2c1)C(=O)[O-].c1ccc2cc(ccc2c1)C(=O)[O-].[Co+2] InChI đầy đủ 1/2C11H8O2.Co/c2*12-11(13)10-6-5-8-3-1-2-4-9(8)7-10;/h2*1-7H,(H,12,13);/q;;+2/p-2 Thuộc tínhCông thức phân tửCo(C11H7O2)2Khối lượng mol401,28376 g/molBề ngoàichất rắn màu nâu hoặc đỏ tím vô định hìnhKhối lượng riêng0,...

Comic book series Dark MatterCover to Dark Matter #1, art by Garry BrownCreated byJoseph MallozziPaul MulliePublication informationPublisherDark Horse ComicsScheduleMonthly Title(s)Rebirth #1-4 FormatsLimited SeriesOriginal languageEnglishGenreScience fiction comicsPublication dateJanuary–April 2012Number of issues4Main character(s)Jace Corso (One), Portia Lin (Two), Marcus Boone (Three), Ryo Tetsuda (Four), unnamed girl (Five), Griffin Jones (Six), The AndroidCreative teamWriter(s)Jose...

This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (November 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) The Basilica of Jesus de Medinaceli or the full name in Spanish: Basílica de Nuestro Padre Jesús de Medinaceli is a Roman Catholic church, specifically a basilica, located in central Madrid. Basílica de J...

Educating RitaPoster rilis teatrikalSutradaraLewis GilbertProduserLewis GilbertSkenarioWilly RussellBerdasarkanEducating Ritaoleh Willy RussellPemeran Michael Caine Julie Walters Penata musikDavid HentschelSinematograferFrank WattsPenyuntingGarth CravenPerusahaanproduksiAcorn PicturesDistributorColumbia PicturesTanggal rilis 14 September 1983 (1983-09-14) (Toronto) Durasi110 menitNegaraBritania RayaBahasaInggrisAnggaran₤4 juta[1]Pendapatankotor$14.6 juta (AS)[2 ...

Stammliste des Hauses Hessen mit den in der Wikipedia vertretenen Personen und wichtigen Zwischengliedern. Stammwappen des Hauses Hessen Inhaltsverzeichnis 1 Haus Hessen 1.1 Linie Hessen-Kassel (bis Karl (Hessen-Kassel)) 1.1.1 Linie Hessen-Kassel (ab Karl (Hessen-Kassel)) 1.1.1.1 Linie Hessen-Rumpenheim 1.1.2 Linie Hessen-Philippsthal 1.1.3 Linie Hessen-Rotenburg 1.2 Linie Hessen-Darmstadt 1.2.1 Linie Hessen-Darmstadt (ab Ernst Ludwig (Hessen-Darmstadt, Landgraf)) 1.2.2 Linie Hessen-Homburg 1...

Art used in law enforcement or legal proceedings This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: Forensic arts – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (August 2011) (Learn how and when to remove this message) Part of a series onForensic science Physiological Anthropology Biology Bloodstain pattern anal...