Colonel vs. Commander — What's the Difference?

Colonel (; abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations.

Commander is a common naval officer rank. Commander is also used as a rank or title in other formal organizations, including several police forces.

A rank of officer in the army and in the US air force, above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier or brigadier general.

A person who commands, especially a commanding officer.

A commissioned rank in the US Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps that is above lieutenant colonel and below brigadier general.

A commissioned rank in the US Navy or Coast Guard that is above lieutenant commander and below captain.

One who holds this rank or a similar rank in another military organization.

One who holds this rank or a similar rank in another military organization.

An honorary nonmilitary title awarded by some states of the United States.

The chief commissioned officer of a military unit regardless of rank.

A commissioned officer in an armed military organization, typically the highest rank before flag officer ranks (generals). It is generally found in armies, air forces or naval infantry (marines).

An officer in some knightly or fraternal orders.

(intransitive) To act as or like a colonel.

One who exercises control and direction of a military or naval organization.

The chief officer of a regiment; an officer ranking next above a lieutenant colonel and next below a brigadier general.

A naval officer whose rank is above that of a lieutenant commander and below that of captain.

A commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general

One who exercises control and direction over a group of persons.

A designation or rank in certain non-military organizations such as NASA and various police forces.

(obsolete) The chief officer of a commandry.

A heavy beetle or wooden mallet, used in paving, in sail lofts, etc.

A rank within an honorary order: e.g. Commander of the Legion of Honour.

Any of various nymphalid butterflies of the Asian genus Moduza.

A chief; one who has supreme authority; a leader; the chief officer of an army, or of any division of it.

An officer who ranks next below a captain, - ranking with a lieutenant colonel in the army.

The chief officer of a commandery.

A heavy beetle or wooden mallet, used in paving, in sail lofts, etc.

An officer in command of a military unit

Someone in an official position of authority who can command or control others

A commissioned naval officer who ranks above a lieutenant commander and below a captain

An officer in the airforce