Colonel (rank)

A Colonel, abbreviated to Col., is a senior military officer rank. It resides above that of Lieutenant Colonel and below that of Brigadier. Historically, in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a Colonel was typically the chief commander in charge of a regiment in the British Army (originally the leader of a column). Modern usage, however, varies greatly. A Colonel was the chief acting officer of artillery or engineer regiments is always a colonel, but in the infantry and cavalry he is frequently known as a Lieutenant Colonel, the full rank being often conferred as a honorary distinction upon some Royal or distinguished personage. A colonel or Lt-colonel's pay varies from £328 to £447 a year according to the branch of the service.