Colonel - 1930's to present

The rank Colonel is one of the ranks that are obtained by the position held and not the years served.

There is a slight difference between this trim and that of Lieutenant Colonel. The epaulet remains the same - a black braid encircling a red epaulet. The outer edge of the braid is a silver cord.

The high collar is a red patch with a white “S” and a crest. On a low collar uniform, the epaulet has a silver crest and two small patches with silver trim and silver “S”’s  placed on each lapel of the tunic. It should be noted that the shape of the red patch was different from that of other officer trim but has now been standardized to the same shape.

The sleeve trimming was a silver chord with black braid but has been discontinued.

The shape of the red patch was changed in 2011 based on the shape of the patch used in the US Territories. By 2015, a red enamel pin  (red patch, silver outline and silver “S” combined) replaced the red felt patches with silver trim and silver “S” pin.