Colonel

Colonels typically command regiment sized forces 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.

Lyran Commonwealth and Lyran Alliance

Like their AFFS counterparts colonels in the LCAF command regiments. To show their rank they wore two silver pips. The LCAF Navy used the rank of Kaptain.

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. In the Draconis Combine Admirality, the equivalent rank is "Captain."

DCMS Tai-sa insignia by branch of service

Rank	MechWarrior	AeroSpace Fighter	Infantry	Armor	Artillery	Naval Crew Draconis Combine Admirality	Technical Service
Tai-sa (Colonel)

Armed Forces of the Federated Suns

A rank in the Federated Suns military structure, Colonels usually command regiments. 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.

AFFS Colonel (Commodore) insignia by branch of service

Rank	MechWarrior	AeroSpace Fighter	Infantry	Armor	Naval Crew	Technical Service	Administrative	Medical	Legal	Logistics/ Transportation
Colonel (Commodore)

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. 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.

CCAF Military Ranks

Sang-shao Kong-sang-shao (Colonel)

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.

Colonels in the FWLM used three broad gold bars and one narrow gold bar on a purple background as their rank insignia.

FWLM Colonel's Rank Insignia

Rank	Insignia
Colonel

The Clans

The Clans use the rank of 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 Star Adder

Clan Star Adder Rank Insignia by service branch

Rank	MechWarrior	AeroSpace Fighter	Elemental	Naval Crew
Star Colonel

Comstar/Word of Blake

The equivalent ComGuard and Word of Blake Militia rank is Precentor.