Colonel

Colonel (from the Italian colonello, the 'leader of a column') is the grade of officer next below that of general. The chief officer of an English regiment at one time bore the title of captain, but since 1588 that of colonel has been substituted. In the British army, except in the Artillery and Engineers, the office of regimental colonel, as distinct from a colonel on the staff, is a sinecure, the commander of the infantry battalion or cavalry regiment being the lieutenant-colonel. Regimental colonels are general officers, who have had a regiment 'given to them,' as it is called, as a reward for long service, and virtually as a retirement. The pay, except in the Guards (where it is higher), is £1000 a year. In 1888 it was decided to discontinue these appointments as soon as those who have a vested right to succeed to them have been satisfied, and it has been decided that no officer shall obtain the rank of colonel except by Brevet (q.v.) for distinguished conduct, or on being selected for certain appointments carrying with them that rank; such as aide-de-camp to the sovereign, assistant-adjutant general, and commander of a regimental district. See COMMISSIONS, ARMY. In the German, Austrian, and Russian armies, where the regiments are very large, the colonelcies are mostly honorary posts, held by royal and other distinguished personages.