Col. Penguin Inspects Norwegian Troops
Military Promotes 'Nils Olav'

POSTED: 7:08 am PDT August 18, 2005
UPDATED: 7:14 am PDT August 18, 2005

EDINBURGH, Scotland -- A penguin has been promoted to colonel-in-chief in the Norwegian army.

Col. Penguin Inspects Troops

"Nils Olav" inspected his troops Wednesday in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Ever since Norwegian military groups began performing at the military tattoo in Edinburgh in 1961, they were taken with the penguins at the local zoo.

In 1971, they gave a penguin the honorary title of lance corporal.

The tradition has continued through the years. This year, Nils Olav was promoted to colonel-in-chief.