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Security & DefenceISCO 0110

Colonel

A colonel is a person who serves on a military commander's staff and acts as a principal adviser to senior officers on operational and strategic decisions.

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Rate 5 of the 10 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

use geographic information systems

advise superiors on military operations

ensure information security

defend human rights

devise military tactics

About colonel

When advising, the colonel assesses what forces can do, what they would need and what the cost would be, then puts that to the commander in a form that can be decided on. The colonel also maintains communication during operations, following the situation across subordinate units and higher command, and making sure each knows what the other has decided. To build situational awareness, the colonel uses geographic information systems, which show terrain, routes, infrastructure and the disposition of forces on one map.

The colonel needs knowledge of military weapons and military codes in order to understand the means being recommended and the procedures by which orders are passed on.

The colonel ensures policy compliance, so that what subordinate formations do stays inside the rules that have been set, and ensures information security, including the secrecy of operational plans. The colonel is also obliged to defend human rights, which limit what may be ordered. Promotion to this rank is governed by rules set by each country's armed forces.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (10)

geographic information systemsgeographic information systemsThe tools involved in geographical mapping and positioning, such as GPS (global positioning systems), GIS (geographical information systems), and RS (remote sensing).military codemilitary codeThe code language used in specific intelligence or military organisations and operations, how to use and decipher them.military weaponrymilitary weaponryThe types of arms used by different military organisations, such as army, navy or air force and in different nations worldwide; the weapons' aspects, damage potential and ways to defend against them.use geographic information systemsuse geographic information systemsWork with computer data systems such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS).advise superiors on military operationsadvise superiors on military operationsAdvise on the strategic decisions made by superiors on deployment, mission tactics, resource allocation or other military operation specifics, to help superiors reach a better decision and to provide ...ensure information securityensure information securityEnsure that the information gathered during surveillance or investigations remains in the hands of those authorised to receive and use it, and does not fall into enemy or otherwise non-authorised indi...defend human rightsdefend human rightsProtect human rights towards and between colleagues and also towards the civil populations one is in contact with.devise military tacticsdevise military tacticsDevise the strategic and tactical components of a military operation, taking into account the available equipment and assigning tasks to the different troops, and supervising the use of weapons and ot...ensure compliance with policiesensure compliance with policiesTo ensure compliance with legislation and company procedures in respect of Health and Safety in the workplace and public areas, at all times. To ensure awareness of and compliance with all Company Pol...maintain operational communicationsmaintain operational communicationsMaintain communications between different departments of an organisation, between the staff, or during specific operations or missions, to ensure that the operation or mission is successful, or that t...
Optional (17) — show
investigation research methodsinvestigation research methodsThe methods and strategies used to conduct police, government intelligence or military investigation research, as well as the research regulations specific to the operation.military combat techniquesmilitary combat techniquesThe fighting techniques specific to military operations, using military weapons and equipment, and the regulations concerning military combat actions.military drillmilitary drillThe marching techniques and use of weapons, and other disciplinary methods applied in military operations.lead military troopslead military troopsLead the actions of military troops on the field during a mission, either combat, humanitarian or otherwise defensive, compliant with the strategies devised prior to the operation and ensuring communi...manage staffmanage staffManage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the wor...manage troop deploymentmanage troop deploymentManage the deployment of troops to areas in conflict, or in need of aid, and oversee the deployment procedures. Manage the deployment of the troops within an area for specific missions, and ensure the...ensure equipment availabilityensure equipment availabilityEnsure that the necessary equipment is provided, ready and available for use before start of procedures.manage security clearancemanage security clearanceManage the systems and monitor the functioning of the security clearance system and staff working to ensure security of the facility, to ensure no non-authorised individuals acquire access and to moni...ensure compliance with types of weaponsensure compliance with types of weaponsComply with legal requirements when using different kinds of firearms and other types of weapons and their matching ammunition.manage administrative systemsmanage administrative systemsEnsure administrative systems, processes and databases are efficient and well managed and give the sound basis to work together with the administrative officer/staff/professional.identify terrorism threatsidentify terrorism threatsIdentify the possibility of terrorism activities posing threats and danger in a specific area by monitoring activities of potentially dangerous groups of people, assessing risks in different areas, an...identify security threatsidentify security threatsIdentify security threats during investigations, inspections, or patrols, and perform the necessary actions to minimise or neutralise the threat.train military troopstrain military troopsTrain military troops or people in training to join the force in drill, combat techniques, weaponry, regulations, operation procedures, camouflage, and other military practices.write situation reportswrite situation reportsWrite reports according to specifications and regulations of an organisation on the situation which needs to be reported on, such as the status of an investigation, of intelligence gathering, or of mi...monitor military equipment usemonitor military equipment useMonitor the use by military staff of specific military equipment to ensure that no unauthorised personnel gains access to specific types of equipment, that everyone handles the equipment according to ...perform resource planningperform resource planningEstimate the expected input in terms of time, human and financial resources necessary to achieve the project objectives.analyse potential threats against national securityanalyse potential threats against national securityAnalyse the possibilities of potential threats and actions taken against national security in order to develop preventive measures and aid with the development of military tactics and operations.

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Frequently asked questions

What does a colonel do?

Colonels serve in the staff of a military commander, and function as primary advisers in operational and strategic decision-making to senior officers.

What skills does a colonel need?

A colonel needs 10 essential skills, including geographic information systems, military code, military weaponry, use geographic information systems, advise superiors on military operations.

Will AI replace colonel jobs?

The AI disruption score for colonel is 33/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: ensure equipment availability, write situation reports, manage administrative systems. Most resilient: military drill, military combat techniques, lead military troops.

Quick Facts

SectorSecurity & Defence
ISCO GroupCommissioned armed forces officers
Essential Skills10

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