Colonel: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search
← Previous edit
VisualWikitext
imported>Zefr
Reverting edit(s) by 2601:985:D80:5D30:2D31:66E2:2F8E:60A5 (talk) to rev. 1289994540 by NaomiAmethyst: non-constructive (RW 16.1)
imported>IvanScrooge98
No edit summary
 
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|Military rank}}
{{short description|Military rank}}
{{about|the military rank in Anglophone countries|the equivalent rank in Slavophone armed forces|Colonel (Eastern Europe)|the equivalent rank in Austria, Switzerland and Germany|Oberst{{!}}''Oberst''|other uses}}
{{about|the military rank in Anglophone countries|the equivalent rank in Slavophone armed forces|Polkovnik|the equivalent rank in Austria, Switzerland and Germany|Oberst{{!}}''Oberst''|other uses}}
{{redirect|Cnel||CNEL (disambiguation){{!}}CNEL}}
{{Military ranks | state=expanded}}
{{Military ranks | state=expanded}}
'''Colonel''' ({{IPAc-en|'|k|ɝ|n|ə|l|audio=LL-Q1860 (eng)-Naomi Persephone Amethyst (NaomiAmethyst)-colonel.wav}} {{respell|KUR|nəl}}; abbreviated as '''Col.''', '''Col''', or '''COL''') is a senior military [[Officer (armed forces)|officer]] rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and [[paramilitary]] organizations.
'''Colonel''' ({{IPAc-en|'|k|ɝ|n|ə|l|audio=LL-Q1860 (eng)-Naomi Persephone Amethyst (NaomiAmethyst)-colonel.wav}} {{respell|KUR|nəl}}; abbreviated as '''Col.''', '''Col''', or '''COL''') is a senior military [[Officer (armed forces)|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 [[Colonel (title)|honorific title]] that may have no direct relationship to military. In some smaller military forces, such as those of [[Monaco]] or the [[Holy See|Vatican]], colonel is the highest [[Military rank|rank]].
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 [[Colonel (title)|honorific title]] that may have no direct military relationship. In some smaller military forces, such as those of [[Monaco]] or the [[Holy See|Vatican]], colonel is the highest [[Military rank|rank]].


Equivalent naval ranks may be called [[Captain (naval)|captain]] or [[ship-of-the-line captain]]. In the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]]'s air force ranking system, the equivalent rank is [[group captain]].
Equivalent naval ranks may be called [[Captain (naval)|captain]] or [[ship-of-the-line captain]]. In the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]]'s air force ranking system, the equivalent rank is [[group captain]].


==History and origins==
==History and origins==
{{more citations needed section|date=April 2012}}
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, {{Circa|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, the units were also confusingly called ''coronelas'', and their commanders ''coronels''.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Oliver |first=Raymond |url=https://media.defense.gov/2011/Jan/11/2001330017/-1/-1/0/Why%20is%20the%20Colonel%20called%20Kernal.pdf |title=Why is the Colonel Called Kernal? |publisher=Office of History, Sacramento Air Logistics Center |year=1983 |location=Sacramento, CA |pages=13 |language=English |access-date=2022-10-04}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":1">[http://www.militar.org.ua/militar/hm/historia-militar-espana-tercios-espanoles-batalla-de-pavia.html#coronelia Los tercios españoles. La batalla de Pavía] at militar.org.ua (in Spanish, unspecified authorship)</ref>
 
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, {{Circa|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,{{explain|date=November 2023}} the units were also confusingly called ''coronelas'', and their commanders ''coronels''.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Oliver |first=Raymond |url=https://media.defense.gov/2011/Jan/11/2001330017/-1/-1/0/Why%20is%20the%20Colonel%20called%20Kernal.pdf |title=Why is the Colonel Called Kernal? |publisher=Office of History, Sacramento Air Logistics Center |year=1983 |location=Sacramento, CA |pages=13 |language=English |access-date=2022-10-04}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":1">[http://www.militar.org.ua/militar/hm/historia-militar-espana-tercios-espanoles-batalla-de-pavia.html#coronelia Los tercios españoles. La batalla de Pavía] at militar.org.ua (in Spanish, unspecified authorship)</ref>


Later, in the 16th century, the French army adopted this organizational structure, renaming ''colunelas'' regiments. Even so, they simply Gallicized ''colunela'' to the French {{lang|fr|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]]: {{lang|la|columna}}; Italian: {{lang|it|colonna}}; French: {{lang|fr|colonne}}) in a similar way that ''brigadier'' is linked to ''brigade'', although in English this relationship is not immediately obvious.<ref name=":0" />
Later, in the 16th century, the French army adopted this organizational structure, renaming ''colunelas'' regiments. Even so, they simply Gallicized ''colunela'' to the French {{lang|fr|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]]: {{lang|la|columna}}; Italian: {{lang|it|colonna}}; French: {{lang|fr|colonne}}) in a similar way that ''brigadier'' is linked to ''brigade'', although in English this relationship is not immediately obvious.<ref name=":0" />


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 {{lang|de|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 in action|killed]].{{citation needed|date=April 2012}}
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 {{lang|de|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 in action|killed]].


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 [[company (military)|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|date=December 2022}}
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 [[company (military)|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.


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 [[French Revolution|Revolution]], a '[[chef de brigade]]'.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}
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 [[French Revolution|Revolution]], a '[[chef de brigade]]'.


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|date=December 2022}}
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.


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|date=December 2022}}
As European military influence expanded throughout the world, the rank of colonel became adopted by nearly every nation (albeit under a variety of names).


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|date=December 2022}}
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]].


===Colonel-in-chief===
===Colonel-in-chief===
Line 33: Line 31:


===Colonel of the Regiment===
===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 officer]]s, [[brigadier]]s or colonels who have a close link to a particular regiment. Non-military personnel, usually for positions within the [[Army Reserve(United Kingdom)|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|date=December 2022}}
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 officer]]s, [[brigadier]]s or colonels who have a close link to a particular regiment. Non-military personnel, usually for positions within the [[Army Reserve(United Kingdom)|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]].


==Colonel by country==
==Colonel by country==

Latest revision as of 21:53, 16 November 2025

Template:Short description Script error: No such module "about". Script error: No such module "redirect hatnote". Template:Military ranks Colonel (Template:IPAc-en Template:Respell; 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 military relationship. 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, Template:Circa, 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, 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 Script error: No such module "Lang". 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: Script error: No such module "Lang".; Italian: Script error: No such module "Lang".; French: Script error: No such module "Lang".) 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 Script error: No such module "Lang".) 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.

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.

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'.

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.

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

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.

Colonel-in-chief

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". 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.

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
File:IFRofursti.PNG
File:Monaco-army-OF-5.svg
File:Mon-sap-off-06.JPG
File:Rank insignia of Oberst (OF-5) Pontifical Swiss Guard.svg

Other uses of colonel ranks

Script error: No such module "labelled list hatnote".

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

Template:Reflist

Bibliography

  • Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

Template:Authority control

  1. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  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. Template:Webarchive
  4. ↑ A webpage by a Scottish regiment concerning their colonel-in-chief. Template:Webarchive
  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
Retrieved from "http://debianws.lexgopc.com/wiki143/index.php?title=Colonel&oldid=3447801"