Colin Powell is a man of many accomplishments and leadership skills. Colin Powell is a US Army retired four star general who served from 1958-1933 (A&E Bio). He is now the first and only African American serving in the Joint Chiefs of Staff and has served as the Secretary of State (A&E Bio). That is a huge and astonishing accomplishment to be the ONLY African American to serve in the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Powell was born on April 5, 1937 in Harlem but lived mostly in the South Bronx with his parents (World Bio). Growing up he attended Army ROTC (Leadership Development Course) in college (World Bio). In ROTC he achieved the top rank of Cadet Colonel and was the leader of the battalion's drill team (CNN). When he graduated in 1958, he was commissioned as Second Lieutenant for the U.S. Army (World Bio). Powell’s military service lasted 35 years with retirement at the rank of a 4 star general (CNN). During his service he had earned the awards “Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Air Medal, Soldier's Medal and two Purple Hearts” (CNN). His accomplishments will impact younger people to be as great of a leader as him.