Editing Colonel

{{Inner Sphere Military Ranks}}
'''Colonels''' typically command [[regiment]]s of ground troops. This rank is generally the highest rank in any mercenary unit; even mercenary groups with multiple regiments typically use Colonel for their commanding officer. Occasionally this officer is identified by "Senior Colonel."

== SLDF ==
To achieve the rank of Colonel in the [[SLDF]], a soldier had to serve for at least ten years. This also showed that the officer had a great deal of tactical skill. The SLDF Navy used the rank of [[Commodore]] for this rank. Each rank used a small star as their insignia.<ref>''The Star League'', p. 112</ref>
{|class="wikitable"
|+ [[SLDF]] Rank insignia
! Rank !! Insignia (First SLDF)<ref>''The Star League'', p. 113</ref> !! Insignia (Second SLDF)<ref>''Field Manual: ComStar''</ref>
|-
! [[Colonel]]<br>[[Commodore]]
|align="center"|[[File:SLDF-Colonel.png]]
|align="center"|[[File:SLDF-Colonel.png]]
|}

== Lyran Commonwealth and Lyran Alliance ==
Like their AFFS counterparts colonels in the [[LCAF]] command regiments.<ref>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', p. 118</ref> To show their rank they wore two silver pips. The LCAF Navy used the rank of '''Kaptain'''.
{|class="wikitable"
|+ [[LAAF]] Military Rank Insignia
! Rank !! Insignia
|-
! [[Colonel]]<br>Kaptain
|align="center"|[[File:ColonelLAAF.png]]
|}

== Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery ==
In the [[DCMS]], "colonel" is known as ''Tai-sa''. In [[3025]], a DCMS ''Tai-sa'' was a battalion commander and wore an apple green stylized ''katakana'' numeral "3" as their rank insignia.<ref>''House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)'', p. 130</ref> In the Draconis Combine Admirality, the equivalent rank is "Captain."
{|class="wikitable"
|+ [[DCMS]] ''Tai-sa'' insignia by branch of service
|-
! Rank !! MechWarrior !! Aerospace Fighter !! Infantry !! Armor !!Artillery!! Naval Crew<br>[[Draconis Combine Admiralty]] !! Technical<br> Service
|-
! ''Tai-sa''<br>([[Colonel]])
|align="center"|[[File:Taisa-mech.png]]
|align="center"|[[File:Taisa-asf.png]]
|align="center"|[[File:Taisa-infantry.png]]
|align="center"|[[File:Taisa-armor.png]]
|align="center"|[[File:Taisa-artillery.png]]
|align="center"|[[File:Taisa-naval.png]]
|align="center"|[[File:Taisa-tech.png]]
|}

== Armed Forces of the Federated Suns ==
A [[Military_Ranks|rank]] in the [[Federated Suns]] military structure, Colonels usually command [[regiment]]s. Colonels in the [[AFFS]] wear epaulets with two broad bands across the bottom as their symbol of rank. This epaulet is also used by the AFFS' Navy to indicate the rank of [[Commodore]].<ref>''House Davion (The Federated Suns)'', p. 128</ref>

{|class="wikitable"
|+ [[AFFS]] Colonel (Commodore) insignia by branch of service
! Rank !! MechWarrior !! Aerospace Fighter !! Infantry !! Armor !! Naval Crew !! Technical<br> Service !! Administrative !! Medical !! Legal !! Logistics/<br>Transportation
|-
! Colonel<br> (Commodore)
|align="center"|[[File:ColonelMW.png]]
|align="center"|[[File:ColonelASF.png]]
|align="center"|[[File:ColonelInf.png]]
|align="center"|[[File:Colonelarmor.png]]
|align="center"|[[File:Colonelnaval.png]]
|align="center"|[[File:Coloneltech.png]]
|align="center"|[[File:Coloneladmin.png]]
|align="center"|[[File:Colonelmedical.png]]
|align="center"|[[File:Colonellegal.png]]
|align="center"|[[File:Colonellogistics.png]]
|}

== Capellan Confederation Armed Forces ==

In 2451 a regiment of the [[CCAF]] revolted, killing the Capellan Chancellor's brother. Chancellor [[Jasmine Liao]], as part of her purge of the officer corps, took control of all powers held by divisional and sector level commanders (generals) and prohibited any rank higher than Colonel.<ref>''House Liao (The Capellan Confederation)'', p. 34</ref> For the next six centuries, CCAF Colonels were either Regimental Colonels that commanded regiments or '''Senior Colonels''' who were the military directors of a Capellan Commonality. These officers were also responsible for logistics and strategic planning in their Commonality.<ref>''House Liao (The Capellan Confederation)'', p. 68</ref> When [[Sun-Tzu Liao]] took the throne in [[3052]], he created the rank of ''Sang-shao'' to replace the rank of Colonel. The CCAF Naval version of this rank became ''Kong-sang-shao''. In both cases, CCAF officers with this rank use a silver triangle to indicate their rank.
{|class="wikitable"
|+ [[CCAF]] Military Ranks
|-
! ''[[Sang-shao]]''<br>''[[Kong-sang-shao]]''<br>([[Colonel]])
|align="center"|[[File:Sangshao.png ]]
|}

As they are independent of CCAF command, [[Warrior House]] regiments do not use the rank of ''Sang-shao''. Commanders of Warrior House regiments use the rank of ''Shiao-zhang'' (Lord Colonel) instead.

==Free Worlds League Military ==
In the [[FWLM]] a colonel commanded regimental sized troop formations. Provincial rulers were usually given the honorary rank of Colonel. The commanding officers of mercenary units frequently had a rider in their contract that would give them this rank, regardless of formation size.<ref>''House Marik (The Free Worlds League)'', p. 86</ref>

Colonels in the FWLM used three broad gold bars and one narrow gold bar on a purple background as their rank insignia.
{|class="wikitable"
|+ [[FWLM]] Colonel's Rank Insignia
! Rank !! Insignia
|-
! [[Colonel]]
|align="center"|[[File:ColonelFWL.png]]
|}

== The Clans ==
The [[Clans]] use the rank of '''[[The Clans#Ranks and Units|Star Colonel]]''' for officers who command Clusters (roughly 45-75 'Mechs).

The equivalent rank in Clan Naval units is '''[[Star Commodore]]'''. They command [[DropShip]] or [[JumpShip]] squadrons, or a single [[WarShip]].

===Clan Blood Spirit===
{|class="wikitable" width="300"
|+ [[Clan Blood Spirit]] Military Rank Insignia
! Rank !! Insignia
|-
! [[Star Colonel]]<br>[[Star Commodore]]
|align="center"|[[File:Blood-Spirits-Star-Colonel.png]]
|}

===Clan Cloud Cobra===
{|class="wikitable" width="400"
|+ [[Clan Cloud Cobra]] Military Rank Insignia
! Rank !! Insignia
|-
! [[Star Colonel]]
|align="center"|[[File:CloudCobra-StarColonel.png]]
|}
===Clan Coyote===
{|class="wikitable" width="400"
|+ [[Clan Coyote]] Military Rank Insignia<ref>''Field Manual: Warden Clans'', p. 48</ref>
! Rank !! Insignia
|-
! [[Star Colonel]]
|align="center"|[[File:Coyote-StarColonel.png]]
|}
===Clan Diamond Shark===
{|class="wikitable" width="400"
|+ [[Clan Diamond Shark]] Military Rank Insignia
! Rank !! Insignia
|-
! [[Star Colonel]]
|align="center"|[[File:DiamondShark-StarColonel.png]]
|}

===Clan Fire Mandrill===
{|class="wikitable"
|+ [[Clan Fire Mandrill]] Rank Insignia by service branch<ref>''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', p. 45</ref>
! Rank !! [[MechWarrior (pilot)|MechWarrior]] !! [[Aerospace Fighter]] !! [[Elemental]]
|-
! Star Colonel
|align="center"|[[File:FireMandrill-StarColonel-MW.png]]
|align="center"|[[File:FireMandrill-StarColonel-ASF.png]]
|align="center"|[[File:FireMandrill-StarColonel-Elemental.png]]
|}

===Clan Ghost Bear===
{|class="wikitable" width="400"
|+ [[Clan Ghost Bear]] Military Rank Insignia
! Rank !! Insignia
|-
! [[Star Colonel]]
|align="center"|[[File:GhostBear-StarColonel.png]]
|}

===Clan Goliath Scorpion===
{|class="wikitable" width="400"
|+ [[Clan Goliath Scorpion]] Military Rank Insignia
! Rank !! Insignia
|-
! [[Star Colonel]]
|align="center"|[[File:GoliathScorpion-StarColonel.png]]
|}

===Clan Hell's Horses===
{|class="wikitable" width="400"
|+ [[Clan Hell's Horses]] Military Rank Insignia
! Rank !! Insignia
|-
! [[Star Colonel]]
|align="center"|[[File:HellsHorses-StarColonel.png]]
|}

===Clan Ice Hellion===
{|class="wikitable" width="400"
|+ [[Clan Ice Hellion]] Military Rank Insignia
! Rank !! Insignia
|-
! [[Star Colonel]]
|align="center"|[[File:IceHellion-StarColonel.png]]
|}

===Clan Jade Falcon===
{|class="wikitable"
|+ [[Clan Jade Falcon]] Officer Rank Insignia<ref>''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', p. 97</ref>
! Rank !! Trueborn !! Freeborn
|-
! Star Colonel
|align="center"|[[File:JadeFalcon-TBStarColonel.png]]
|align="center"|[[File:JadeFalcon-FBStarColonel.png]]<ref>Theoretical rank insignia. No freeborn has ever held this rank in Jade Falcon ''touman.''</ref>
|}
===Clan Nova Cat (SLDF)===
{|class="wikitable" width="400"
|+ [[Clan Nova Cat]] Military Rank Insignia<ref>''Field Manual: ComStar'', p. 112</ref>
! Rank !! Insignia
|-
! [[Star Colonel]]
|align="center"|[[File:NovaCat-StarColonel.png]]
|}

===Clan Smoke Jaguar===
{|class="wikitable" width="400"
|+ [[Clan Smoke Jaguar]] Military Rank Insignia
! Rank !! Insignia
|-
! [[Star Colonel]]
|align="center"|[[File:SmokeJaguar-StarColonel.png]]
|}

=== Clan Snow Raven ===
{|class="wikitable"
|+ [[Clan Snow Raven]] Rank Insignia by service branch<ref>''Field Manual: Warden Clans'', p. 127</ref>
! Rank !! [[MechWarrior (pilot)|MechWarrior]] !! [[Aerospace Fighter]] !! [[Elemental]] !! Naval Crew !! Armor !! Infantry !! Support
|-
! Star Colonel
|align="center"|[[File:SnowRaven-StarColonel-MW.png]]
|align="center"|[[File:SnowRaven-StarColonel-ASF.png]]
|align="center"|[[File:SnowRaven-StarColonel-Elemental.png]]
|align="center"|[[File:SnowRaven-StarColonel-Naval.png]]
|align="center"|[[File:SnowRaven-StarColonel-Armor.png]]
|align="center"|[[File:SnowRaven-StarColonel-Infantry.png]]
|align="center"|[[File:SnowRaven-StarColonel-Support.png]]
|}

===Clan Star Adder===
{|class="wikitable"
|+ [[Clan Star Adder]] Rank Insignia by service branch<ref>''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', p. 120</ref>
! Rank !! [[MechWarrior (pilot)|MechWarrior]] !! [[AeroSpace Fighter]] !! [[Elemental]] !! Naval Crew
|-
! Star Colonel
|align="center"|[[File:Star-Adder-StarColonel-MW.png]]
|align="center"|[[File:Star-Adder-StarColonel-ASF.png]]
|align="center"|[[File:Star-Adder-StarColonel-Elemental.png]]
|align="center"|[[File:Star-Adder-StarColonel-Naval.png]]
|}

===Clan Steel Viper===
{|class="wikitable" width="400"
|+ [[Clan Steel Viper]] Military Rank Insignia
! Rank !! Insignia
|-
! [[Star Colonel]]
|align="center"|[[File:SteelViper-StarColonel.png]]
|}

===Clan Wolf/Clan Wolf-in-Exile ===
{|class="wikitable" width="400"
|+ [[Clan Wolf]]/[[Clan Wolf-in-Exile]] Military Rank Insignia
! Rank !! Insignia
|-
! [[Star Colonel]]
|align="center"|[[File:Wolf-StarColonel.png]]
|}

== Comstar/Word of Blake ==
The equivalent [[Com Guards|Com Guard]] and [[Word of Blake Militia]] rank is [[Com Guards#Rank|Precentor]]. ComStar Precentors use a ComStar logo with a red halo to show their rank. Word of Blake Precentors use a gold medallion.
''Insignia shows '''theta''' symbol, indicating [[JumpShip]]/[[WarShip]] crew. Other service branches replace '''theta''' with appropriate Greek letter.''
{|class="wikitable" width="400"
|+ Com Guard/Word of Blake Militia Insignia
! Rank !! [[Com Guards]] !! [[Word of Blake Militia]]
|-
! [[Precentor]]
|align="center"|[[File:Comstar-Precentor.png]]
|align="center"|[[File:WoB-Precentor.png]]
|}

==Free Rasalhague Republic==
In the ''[[KungsArmé]]'' officers with this rank are called '''''Överste''''', Swedish for Colonel.<ref>''Field Manual: ComStar'', p. 66</ref> These soldiers wear a green patch with a silver Roman numeral "1" to show their rank.
{|class="wikitable" width="300"
|+ [[KungsArmé]] Military Rank Insignia
! Rank !! Insignia
|-
! ''Överste''
|align="center"|[[File:FreeRasalhague-Colonel.png]]
|}

== Periphery Powers ==
===Magistracy of Canopus===
The [[Magistracy Armed Forces]] use '''Colonel''' to indicate a regimental commander or head of a division within the MAF bureaucracy.  Prior to the reforms of the late 31st century, they could also command major Combat Formations, but that role is no longer available.  The naval equivalent is '''[[Rearad]]'''.<ref>''Field Manual: Periphery'', p. 25</ref><ref>''Handbook: Major Periphery States'', p. 87</ref> MAF Colonels wear two small gold diamonds as their rank insignia.
{|class="wikitable" width="350"
|+ [[Magistracy Armed Forces]] Insignia
! Rank !! Insignia
|-
! [[Colonel]]
|align="center"|[[File:MagistracyOfCanopus-Colonel.png]]
|}

===Taurian Defense Force===
In the [[Taurian Defense Force]], a '''Colonel''' serves as a regimental commander for both 'Mech and conventional forces. In the TDF Navy, officers who hold this rank are known as '''Space Masters'''.  Space Masters captain naval vessels and have command authority over all other aerospace ranks.<ref>''The Periphery'', p. 74</ref><ref>''Field Manual: Periphery'', p. 54</ref><ref>''Handbook: Major Periphery States'', p. 112</ref> A TDF Colonel uses the gold circle and horn of the [[Major#Taurian Defense Force|Brigadier]] as their rank insignia, but fills the center of the ring with a red dot to differentiate themselves from the lower rank.
{|class="wikitable" width="350"
|+ [[Taurian Defense Force]] Insignia
! Rank !! Insignia
|-
! [[Colonel]]
|align="center"|[[File:TaurianConcordat-Colonel.png]]
|}

===Marian Hegemony===
With their focus on recreating Roman society, the [[Marian Hegemony Armed Forces|Hegemony Armed Forces]] do not use the rank of Colonel. Instead officers who command regimental sized formations are known by the Latin term '''''Prefect'''''.<ref>''Field Manual: Periphery'', p. 73</ref> Their rank insignia is a gold bordered black triangle with an eagle in the center.

{|class="wikitable"
|+ [[Marian Legions]] Insignia
! Rank !! Insignia
|-
! [[Prefect (rank)|Prefect]]
|align="center"|[[File:MH-Prefect.png]]
|}

===Outworlds Alliance===
In the [[Alliance Military Corps]], a regiment's commanding officer is known as '''Chairman'''.<ref>''Field Manual: Periphery'', p. 88</ref> They wear two vertically stacked brown bars as their rank insignia.

{|class="wikitable" width="300"
|+ [[Alliance Military Corps]] Insignia
! Rank !! Insignia
|-
! [[Chairman]]
|align="center"|[[File:OA-Chairman.png]]
|}

===Aurigan Coalition===
In the [[Aurigan Coalition Military]] the colonel is a senior regimental commander, and prior to the Restoration, they commanded BattleMech battalions for each Founding House.<ref name=HA:TACp26>''House Arano (The Aurigan Coalition)'', p. 26</ref>

==Notes==
In many of the world's military establishments, a brevet was a warrant giving a commissioned officer a higher rank title as a reward for gallantry or meritorious conduct but without conferring the authority, precedence, or pay of real rank.<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brevet_(military) Brevet Military wikipedia link]</ref>

==References==
<references/>

==Bibliography==
* ''[[Field Manual: Capellan Confederation]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: ComStar]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: Crusader Clans]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: Draconis Combine]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: Federated Suns]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: Lyran Alliance]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: Periphery]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: Warden Clans]]''
* ''[[The Star League]]''

[[Category:Military Ranks]]