Syntagmatarkhis

Syntagmatarkhis (Συνταγματάρχης) (Σχης) is used in the Greek language to mean "Colonel". It is translated as "leader of a regiment (syntagma)", and dates back to the Classical Age armies. However, the name is misleading in that the Hellenic Army retains very few regiments in its command structure. Thus, the typical responsibilities of Syntagmatarches are in staff positions, or as Executive Officers in brigades. Officers holding this rank should be addressed as "Kyrie Syntagmatarcha" ("Κύριε Συνταγματάρχα") (stressed on the syllable before last).

In the modern Hellenic Army the rank is superior to an Antisyntagmatarkhis (Lieutenant Colonel) and inferior to an Taxiarhos (Brigadier). The insignia consists of a flaming grenade and three golden stars.

The Greek military junta of 1967-1974 is also known as "The Regime of the Colonels" because co-leaders George Papadopoulos and Nikolaos Makarezos both held this rank at the time of the coup d'etat of April 21, 1967. However their co-leader Stylianos Pattakos was already a Taxiarhos.