The highest-ranking of the Air Force’s Field-Grade Officers, Colonels are sometimes referred to informally as “Full Birds” because of their distinct eagle insignia and to distinguish them from Lieutenant Colonels, who are also addressed as “Colonel” in correspondence. Worn on the epaulets of the Men’s and Women’s Service Dress uniforms, as well as on outwear garment such as the Topcoat, the Colonel insignia is to be positioned so that the eagle is facing forward.
In addition to the full-size USAF Lieutenant Colonel rank insignia, we also carry a miniature size metal rank insignia (3/4) that is worn by Officers on the colored berets authorized for Combat Rescue Officers (maroon beret), Special Tactics Officers (scarlet), Weather Parachutist and Special Reconnaissance Officers (pewter gray), and Tactical Air Control Party Officers (black).
The number of active-duty Officers that may be serving as Colonels in the United States Air Force at any given time is calculated as a percentage of all Commissioned Officers that declines as the total number of Officers increases. For example, if the Air Force has 35,000 active-duty Officers, then 2,125, or 6 percent, may hold the rank of Colonel. If the total number of USAF Officers were to double to 70,000, then the maximum number of Colonels would be fixed at 3,392—just 4.8 percent of the total number of officers. (These authorized strength figures do not include certain officers such as Flag Officers, Medical and Dental Officers, Warrant Officers, and Reserve Officers who are excluded by other statutes from the total calculation.)
More USAF Colonel Insignias and Devices