Lieutenant colonel (United Kingdom)

Lieutenant colonel (Lt Col), is a rank in the British Army and Royal Marines which is also used in many Commonwealth countries. The rank is superior to major, and subordinate to colonel.[1] The comparable Royal Navy rank is commander, and the comparable rank in the Royal Air Force and many Commonwealth air forces is wing commander.

For other countries which use this rank, see Lieutenant colonel.

Lieutenant colonel
Army and Royal Marines insignia
Country United Kingdom
Service branch British Army
 Corps of Royal Marines
AbbreviationLt Col
NATO rankOF-4
Next higher rankColonel
Next lower rankMajor
Equivalent ranks

The rank insignia in the British Army and Royal Marines, as well as many Commonwealth countries, is a crown above a 4 pointed "Bath" star, also colloquially referred to as a "pip". The crown has varied in the past with different monarchs; the current one being the Crown of St Edward. Most other Commonwealth countries use the same insignia, or with the state emblem replacing the crown.

In the modern British Armed forces, the established commander of a regiment or battalion is a lieutenant colonel.

From 1 April 1918 to 31 July 1919, the Royal Air Force maintained the rank of lieutenant colonel. It was superseded by the rank of wing commander on the following day.

Ceremonial usage

Certain regiments of the British Army have honorary appointments as Regimental Lieutenant Colonel and Deputy Regimental Lieutenant Colonel. These are similar in nature and less in rank to Colonel of the Regiment.

Historical insignia
  • 1810 to 1855 lieutenant colonel's shoulder rank insignia
  • 1856 to 1867 lieutenant colonel's collar rank insignia
  • 1867 to 1880 lieutenant colonel's collar rank insignia
  • 1881 to 1902 lieutenant colonel's shoulder rank insignia
  • 1902 to 1920 lieutenant colonel's sleeve cuff rank insignia
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See also

References
  1. "Ranks". British Army Website. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
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