Lieutenant Colonel - 1896 to present

June 1896 saw the introduction of a Lieutenant Colonel. Four of the first officers to receive a “step up” were James Hay, David Lamb, Charles Hodder and Hug Whatmore.

In our current sanking system, the Rank of Lieutenant Colonel is the first of the ranks that are obtained by the position held and not the years served; however in earlier days the ranks of Brigadier and Major also held that distiction.

The epaulet design has not changed from its early beginnings. The trim consists of 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 silver crest was placed on the epaulet and two small patches with silver “S”’s were 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 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 and silver “S” combined) replaced the red felt patches and silver “S” pin.