Lieutenant colonel ( , ) is a rank of
commissioned officers in the
armies, most
marine forces
Marines, or naval infantry, are typically a military force trained to operate in littoral zones in support of naval operations. Historically, tasks undertaken by marines have included helping maintain discipline and order aboard the ship (refle ...
and some air forces of the world, above a
major
Major (commandant in certain jurisdictions) is a military rank of commissioned officer status, with corresponding ranks existing in many military forces throughout the world. When used unhyphenated and in conjunction with no other indicators ...
and below a
colonel
Colonel (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 ...
. Several police forces in the United States use the rank of
lieutenant colonel
Colonel (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 ...
. 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. 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. A lieutenant colonel is typically in charge of a
battalion
A battalion is a military unit, typically consisting of 300 to 1,200 soldiers commanded by a lieutenant colonel, and subdivided into a number of companies (usually each commanded by a major or a captain). In some countries, battalions are ...
or
regiment
A regiment is a military unit. Its role and size varies markedly, depending on the country, service and/or a specialisation.
In Medieval Europe, the term "regiment" denoted any large body of front-line soldiers, recruited or conscripted ...
in the army.
The following articles deal with the rank of lieutenant colonel:
*
Lieutenant-colonel (Canada)
*
Lieutenant colonel (Eastern Europe)
*
Lieutenant colonel (Turkey)
Yarbay is the Turkish military rank of lieutenant colonel.
In normal circumstance they serve 3 years (shorter than others) because of ''preparation rank''. In the Turkish Army (Kara Kuvvetleri) and Turkish Gendarmerie (Jandarma) they serve as ba ...
*
Lieutenant colonel (Sri Lanka)
*
Lieutenant colonel (United Kingdom)
*
Lieutenant colonel (United States)
Gallery
Army
File:Bangladesh-army-OF-4.svg, Bangladesh Army
(''Lieutenant Colonel'')
File:Army-BEL-OF-04.svg, Belgian Army
(
)
File:Tenente-Coronel-V.gif, Brazilian Army
()
File:Canadian Army OF-4.svg, Canadian Army
The Canadian Army (french: Armée canadienne) is the command (military formation), command responsible for the operational readiness of the conventional ground forces of the Canadian Armed Forces. It maintains regular forces units at bases acr ...
(''Lieutenant Colonel'')
File: CzArmy 2011 OF4-Podplukovnik shoulder.svg, Czech Army
()
File:Rank insignia of oberstløjnant of the Royal Danish Army.svg, Danish Army
()
File:Army France OF4 V.png, French Army
()
File:OF04 Heer.png, German Army
()
File:Lieutenant Colonel of the Indian Army.svg, Indian Army (''Lieutenant Colonel'')
File:17-TNI Army-LTC.svg, Indonesian Army
The Indonesian Army ( id, Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Darat (TNI-AD), ) is the land branch of the Indonesian National Armed Forces. It has an estimated strength of 300,000 active personnel. The history of the Indonesian Army has its ...
()
File:IT-Army-OF4.svg, Italian Army
()
File:Nl-landmacht-luitenant kolonel.svg, Royal Netherlands Army
The Royal Netherlands Army ( nl, Koninklijke Landmacht) is the land branch of the Netherlands Armed Forces. Though the Royal Netherlands Army was raised on 9 January 1814, its origins date back to 1572, when the was raised – making the Dutc ...
()
File:Norway-army-OF-4.svg, Norwegian Army
()
File:Lt. Colonel Pakistan Army.jpg, alt=Pakistan Army Lieutenant Colonel, Pakistan Army
The Pakistan Army (, ) is the Army, land service branch of the Pakistan Armed Forces. The roots of its modern existence trace back to the British Indian Army that ceased to exist following the partition of India, Partition of British India, wh ...
(Lieutenant Colonel)
File:PA LTC Svc.svg, Philippine Army
(/)
File:17 - Tenente-coronel.svg, Portuguese Army
The Portuguese Army ( pt, Exército Português) is the land component of the Armed Forces of Portugal and is also its largest branch. It is charged with the defence of Portugal, in co-operation with other branches of the Armed Forces. With its ...
()
File:Russia-Army-OF-4-1994-field.svg, alt=, Russian Ground Forces
The Russian Ground Forces (russian: Сухопутные войска �В Sukhoputnyye voyska V, also known as the Russian Army (, ), are the Army, land forces of the Russian Armed Forces.
The primary responsibilities of the Russian Gro ...
()
File:Spain-Army-OF-4.svg, Spanish Army
The Spanish Army ( es, Ejército de Tierra, lit=Land Army) is the terrestrial army of the Spanish Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is one of the oldest active armies — dating back to the late 15th century.
The ...
()
File:British Army OF-4.svg, British Army
The British Army is the principal land warfare force of the United Kingdom, a part of the British Armed Forces along with the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. , the British Army comprises 79,380 regular full-time personnel, 4,090 Gur ...
(United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
)
(''Lieutenant Colonel'')
File:US Army O5 (Army greens).svg, United States Army
The United States Army (USA) is the land warfare, land military branch, service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight Uniformed services of the United States, U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army o ...
(''Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant colonel ( , ) 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 in the United States use the rank of lieutenant colonel ...
'')
File:TCNELEJB-GNB.png, Venezuela
Venezuela (; ), officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela ( es, link=no, República Bolivariana de Venezuela), is a country on the northern coast of South America, consisting of a continental landmass and many islands and islets in ...
()
Air Force
File:BE-Air Force-OF4.svg, Belgian Air Force
(
)
File:RDAF Lt Col.svg, Danish Air Force
()
File:Netherlands-AirForce-OF-4.svg, Royal Netherlands Air Force
, colours =
, colours_label =
, march = ''Parade March of the Royal Netherlands Air Force''
, mascot =
, anniversaries =
, equipment ...
()
File:Norway-air force-OF-4.svg, Norwegian Air Force
()
File:PAF LTC Svc.svg, Philippine Air Force
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) ( tgl, Hukbong Himpapawid ng Pilipinas, , Army of the Air of the Philippines) ( es, Ejército Aérea del Filipinas, , Ejército de la Aérea de la Filipinas) is the aerial warfare service branch of the Armed Forc ...
(/)
File:Russia-AirForce-OF-4-1994-parade.svg, alt=, Russian Air Force
" Air March"
, mascot =
, anniversaries = 12 August
, equipment =
, equipment_label =
, battles =
, decorations =
, bat ...
()
File:US Air Force O5 shoulderboard.svg, United States Air Force
The United States Air Force (USAF) is the air service branch of the United States Armed Forces, and is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Originally created on 1 August 1907, as a part of the United States Army S ...
(''Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant colonel ( , ) 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 in the United States use the rank of lieutenant colonel ...
'')
Other services
File:US Space-force O5 (interim).svg, United States Space Force
(''Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant colonel ( , ) 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 in the United States use the rank of lieutenant colonel ...
'')
See also
*
Comparative military ranks
*
Canadian Forces ranks and insignia
*
British Army officer rank insignia
*
United States Army officer rank insignia
References
{{Authority control
Military ranks
Military ranks of Singapore
Military ranks of the Nepali Army