Lieutenant colonel (UK: /lɛfˈtɛnənt ˈkɜːrnəl/ lef-TEN-ənt KUR-nəl, US: /luːˈtɛn-/ loo-TEN–) is a rank of commissioned officers in the armies, most marine forces and some air forces of the world, above a major and below a colonel. Several police forces, such as in the United States, also use the rank of lieutenant colonel.
Etymology
The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply “colonel” in conversation and in unofficial correspondence. Sometimes, the term ‘half-colonel’ is used in casual conversation in the British Army. Additionally, in the U.S. Army ‘light colonel’ has been used informally in the past.[1] In the British military, it is customary to refer to either a lieutenant colonel or a colonel by their first names when mentioning them, e.g. “Colonel Tim will be at the parade”. In the United States Air Force, the term ‘light bird’ or ‘light bird colonel’ (as opposed to a ‘full bird colonel’) is an acceptable casual reference to the rank but is never used directly towards the rank holder.[citation needed] A lieutenant colonel is typically in charge of a battalion or regiment in the army.
Gallery
Ground forces
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Australian Army
(Lieutenant colonel) -
Bangladesh Army
(Lieutenant colonel) -
Indian Army
(Lieutenant colonel) -
Pakistan Army
(Lieutenant colonel)
Aerospace forces
See also
- Comparative military ranks
- Canadian Forces ranks and insignia
- British Army officer rank insignia
- United States Army officer rank insignia
References
- ^ Bonn, Keith E. (2005). Army Officer’s Guide (50th ed.). Mechanicsville, Pa.: Stackpole Books. p. 14.
- ^ “Officers’ rank insignia”. British Army. Archived from the original on 15 September 2008.
External links
Media related to Lieutenant colonels at Wikimedia Commons