The highest ranking officer in a battalion is which rank?

• A. Lieutenant Colonel
• B. Major
• C. Colonel
• D. Brigadier General

Answer: (A)

Understanding who leads a battalion and how ranks relate to unit size helps here. A battalion is typically commanded by a lieutenant colonel, who is the senior field‑grade officer responsible for the unit’s operations and administration. A colonel generally commands larger formations such as a regiment or brigade, depending on the army’s structure. A major sits below the lieutenant colonel and would usually serve in a supporting staff or executive role within the battalion. A brigadier general is a general officer who operates at a higher level than a battalion and does not command it. So, the officer most commonly in charge of a battalion is the lieutenant colonel.