a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
a high-ranking officer who issues commands to the staff
a high rank or level in the military
a senior regimental commander
A commissioned officer commanding a regiment. Ranking above a Lieutenant Colonel. Primary task to command units, provide tactical plans and make decisions.
an army officer, ranked below a general but above a major
Colonel ( or ) is a military rank of a commissioned officer, with the corresponding ranks existing in nearly every country in the world. The rank of Colonel is one of the oldest in existence, dating as far back as the time of the Roman Empire.
The title colonel is conferred as an honor by some southern states in the United States of America. The origins of the southern colonelcy can be traced back to colonial and antebellum times when plantation masters were given the title for financing the local militia without actual expectations of command. This practice can actually be traced back to the English Renaissance when a colonelcy was purchased by a lord or prominent gentleman but the actual command would fall to a lieutenant colonel, who would deputise for the proprietor.
Please see "Colonel" for other countries which use this rank
Pakistan Army has followed British Army rank system since its independence from British Empire in 1947. However, crown in the ranks has been replaced with a star and crescent, which symbolizes the sovereignty of Government of Pakistan.
