Who is Chip (The Colonel) from Looking for Alaska and what is their importance?

Chip is Miles' roommate, the first person he meets when he arrives at his new school. Chip is, in many ways, a complete contrast to Miles - short and muscular (where Miles is tall and skinny) adventurous and daring (where Miles tends to be timid and restrained), a planner and schemer (where Miles tends to be reactive) and, above all, commanding and determined (hence his nickname, The Colonel).