Colonel

Colonel was a military rank used by planet-based forces (such as the Imperial Army) as well as certain Starfighter Corps. Colonels ranked below generals and above majors, and were equivalent in rank to the naval rank of captain.

Galactic Empire
In the Imperial Army, the rank of colonel was divided into several grades. Lieutenant Colonels, who could command a regiment of up to 4,000 soldiers, were the lowest rank. A Colonel in the Imperial Army was generally a staff officer, serving behind the lines. In certain cases, however, a Colonel may be given a field command, such as command over one or two regiments in the absence of or in place of a Lieutenant Colonel, or a Support/Auxiliary regiment. High Colonels were the highest rank of colonel, commanding a battlegroup of four to eight regiments.

Colonel was also a rank used by Imperial Security Bureau.

New Republic
The New Republic used Colonels in the New Republic Army to direct operations on a Brigade level. Rarely did Brigade commanders take the field, as their jobs require them to stay focused on tactical maneuvering and strategy at the higher levels. They could, however, elect to run things from their base, and leave the commanding of the Brigade combat teams to lower ranking officers. Support personnel holding this rank were almost always aides to the general on the flagship or at the home post. Occasionally they held their own command over a detachment of support personnel.

A Colonel in the New Republic Starfighter Corps commanded operations on a Strike Group level, and were typically pilots in charge of their own squadron. They were allowed to run things from their home ship, and leave the commanding of the squadrons to lower ranking officers. Support personnel holding this rank were frequently aides to the General on the flagship or at the home post. Occasionally they held their own command over a detachment of support personnel.