Colonel (United Kingdom)
| Colonel | |
|---|---|
| Colonel Insignia | |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Service branch | British Army Royal Marines |
| Abbreviation | Col |
| NATO rank code | OF-5 |
| Formation | Mid-16th century |
| Next higher rank | Brigadier |
| Next lower rank | Lieutenant colonel |
| Equivalent ranks | |
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Colonel (Col) is a rank of the British Army and Royal Marines, ranking below brigadier, and above lieutenant colonel. British colonels are not usually field commanders; typically they serve as staff officers between field commands at battalion and brigade level. The insignia is two diamond-shaped pips (properly called "Bath Stars") below a crown. The crown has varied in the past with different monarchs; Elizabeth II's reign used St Edward's Crown. The rank is equivalent to captain in the Royal Navy and group captain in the Royal Air Force.