Runion pins on 'full-bird' colonel Published June 24, 2014 By Staff Sgt. Ben Mota 434th ARW Public Affairs GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- For generations, colonels have commanded both armies and respect. Col. Bryan Runion, 434th Logistics Readiness Squadron commander, was recently promoted to the rank of colonel in front of family, friends and peers during a pin-on ceremony held here. During the ceremony, Runion credited his success to his troops, mentors, God and family. "The pin-on ceremony is not about me; it is about you," he said to the Airmen he commanded. "My promotion in large part is reflected by the hard work and dedication you have provided, and I would not be at this level without your support -- I truly appreciate it." The newly promoted colonel had his wife, Diana Runion, and Col. Bryan Reinhart, 434th Air Refueling Wing vice commander, pin on his eagle rank insignias on his service dress coat. Runion was recently selected for assignment as commander of the 446th Mission Support Group, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington and assumed command of that unit June 29. The history of the prestigious rank dates back to around 1505, when the Spanish King Ferdinand reorganized part of his army into twenty units called colunelas. These consisted of about 1,000 to 1250 men further organized into companies with their commander being named a coronel. The French, and later the British, adopted the title, and although initially retaining the original Spanish pronunciation, the British soon used the pronunciation of 'kernel' we're familiar with today. U.S. military colonels rank above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general. The modern day insignia for a colonel is a silver eagle with a U.S. shield on its chest and holding an olive branch in one talon and a bundle of arrows in the other. The eagle insignia led to the informal term 'full bird colonel.' The 434th Air Refueling Wing is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Airmen and aircraft from the 434th ARW routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission and U.S. strategic objectives. Stay connected with the 434th ARW on Facebook and Twitter.
