A colonel (which sounds like “kernel” when you say it) is a high-ranking military officer who typically commands a regiment of around 1,000 to 3,000 soldiers. Colonels rank above majors and lieutenant colonels but below generals. In the U.S. military, colonels wear silver eagles on their uniforms.

The position carries serious responsibility. A colonel might oversee an entire military base, lead a major training program, or command troops during important operations. Colonels have usually served in the military for 20 years or more, working their way up through lower ranks while proving their leadership abilities and strategic thinking.

Famous colonels in American history include Theodore Roosevelt, who led the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War, and Harland Sanders, who founded Kentucky Fried Chicken and kept his honorary “Kentucky Colonel” title as part of his public identity.