Lieutenant Colonel

Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col, LTC), often abbreviated "Colonel" in conversation, is a rank of commissioned officer in many armies, marine forces and air forces.

Lieutenant Colonel typically ranks above a Major and below a Colonel. It is equivalent to Commander (RN, USN) and Wing Commander (RAF).

A lieutenant colonel is typically in charge of a Battalion (infantry) or Regiment (artillery/armoured) in an army.

In the British Army and Royal Marines, a Lieutenant Colonel wears a crown above a pip. In the US Armed Forces, the insignia is a silver oak leaf.