I've finally figured out something that's been nagging at the back of my mind: why is Tighe a Colonel? COL isn't a naval rank, it's a marine or army (or air force) rank. And, all the others on BSG are naval personnel. Always bothered me, because the creators certainly knew what they were doing otherwise.
Well, I've finally figured it out: He's a Colonial Marine!
That's why he was so good on the ground, that's why he knew so much about boarding actions (and how to deal with the cylon boarding parties in the first season), and that's possibly why he did the things he did when he was in charge on BSG and on the ground (heavy handed, willing and able to do what needed to be done regardless of the human cost, etc...).
Whew. Glad I figured that out finally. It'd been weighing on my mind.
