20th Century
World War I and World War II saw the largest numbers of colonels ever appointed in the United States armed forces. This was mostly due to the temporary ranks of the National Army and the Army of the United States, where those who would normally hold the rank of Captain in the peacetime Regular Army were thrust into the rank of colonel during these two wars.
By the end of the Korean War appointments to the rank of colonel were standardized to be granted after roughly 16–18 years of service in the military; however temporary colonel appointments continued well into the Vietnam War. The last temporary appointments to the rank of colonel were in the late 1970s; since then all colonels have received permanent appointments upon promotion. Currently an officer reaches the rank of colonel after around 20–22 years of military service.
Read more about this topic: Colonel (United States)
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“A sparing tongue is the greatest treasure among men.”
—Hesiod (c. 8th century B.C.)