Colonel of the Regiment
Colonel of the
Regiment was an honorary appointment. The custom was inherited from
British traditions.
History
In the British Army, Colonels (both in rank and appointment) were
originally the owners and field commanders of infantry regiments,
which evolved as tactical entities of what would later be described
as battalion size (in other words, a grouping of infantry
companies). These regiments were divided into three wings, with the
Colonel, and his two deputies (Lieutenant-Colonel and Major)
commanding them. When the regiment evolved as a single tactical
formation of ten companies in the late 1600s and early 1700s, the
Lieutenant Colonel became the real commanding officer on the
battlefield, with the Colonel becoming more of a ceremonial
ceremonial and political position, whose power was cut even further
by various reforms in the mid-1700s. Despite becoming a figurehead,
the Colonel was usually one to have actually served in the regiment
or had some other, historic, connection to it.
Multiple-battalions did not evolved until the mid-1800s, and the
"Colonel of the Regiment" evolved into the titular head of these
entities, often compared to families. In the British Army these
Regiments came to include several battalions of Regular (full time)
soldiers, Militia and Volunteers/Territorials, and expanded
tremendously during the First World War.
Function
The position of Colonel of the Regiment was comparable to the
Colonel Commandant appointment of corps/regiments/branches which
also originated as "families" of tactical units (e.g. Royal Canadian
Armoured Corps, Royal Canadian Artillery, etc.) The Colonel of the
Regiment was expected to take an active interest in promoting the
welfare of his/her regiment, attending military policy conferences,
ceremonies, and unit celebrations.
Reserve units have had a similar appointment called Honorary
Colonel.
Regulation
Formal regulations were eventually outlined in Canadian Forces
Administrative Orders.
These regulations outlined that a Colonel of the Regiment could be
appointed for:
-
Each Regular
Force regiment of armour, including any Militia counterpart
which bore the same primary designation in its title;
-
Each Regular
Force regiment of infantry, including all numbered battalions
and any Militia counterpart bearing the same primary designation
in its title
-
The Canadian
Airborne Regiment
-
The 1st Canadian
Signal Regiment
Appointment as
Colonel of the Regiment was restricted to former officers of the CF
who normally held the rank of colonel or above on retirement.
Recommendations were to be forwarded through the Branch Adviser to
NDHQ/CPCSA for submission to the Chief of the Defence Staff for
concurrence and to the Minister of National Defence for approval.
Tenure
The tenure of appointment of a Colonel of the Regiment was normally
for a period of three years, with extensions possible at the
discretion of the CDS.
Terms of Reference
The terms of reference of a Colonel of the Regiment included:
-
fostering esprit
de corps throughout his regiment;
-
advising NDHQ on
-
matters of
significance to his regiment
-
the
administration and disposition of regimental funds and
properties
-
regimental
charities, organizations and memorials
-
liaising between
regimental units of the Regular Force and Reserve Force
-
liaising with
allied or affiliated formations, regiments and units
-
advising military
associations or unit commanders in order to maintain uniformity
in such matters as dress and custom within the regiment
Channels of
Communication
A direct channel of communication was authorized between a Colonel
of the Regiment and Branch Adviser on matters falling within the
terms of reference above.
A Colonel of the Regiment was also permitted to communicate with
-
the private
secretary of his Colonel-in-Chief or Captain General regarding
significant regimental activities and exchange of birthday or
similar greetings;
-
commanders of
commands, when appropriate; and
-
the CDS, when
appropriate.
Visits
In the performance of his duties a Colonel of the Regiment was
permitted to
-
visit units of
his regiment on appropriate occasions
-
visit NDHQ for
consultation with the CDS
-
attend meetings
of his regimental association
