Soldier-athlete being all he can be

Soldier-athlete being all he can be

Josh Holden is a man on two missions. As a 2003 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., and a first lieutenant in the Army, he is committed to serving his country. As an outfielder for the Billings (Mont.) Mustangs, the Cincinnati Reds’ advanced rookie level affiliate, he is dedicated to making it to the major leagues.

For almost three decades, West Point graduates have been required to serve five years of active duty before starting to pursue professional sports careers or leaving the military. (Graduates of the U.S. Naval and Air Force academies have similar commitments.)

Now, with the groundbreaking alternative service policy, West Point graduates, and officers and enlisted soldiers Army-wide, can serve their country and be pro athletes at the same time. The policy, approved by Army Secretary Francis Harvey in April, allows soldiers to apply for a release from active duty after two years to participate in professional activities that have recruiting and public affairs benefits for the Army….

The change is designed to bolster Army recruiting during the war in Iraq and Afghanistan – with the Army so stretched that earlier this year about 40% of troops were reservists and National Guard and some regular units are on second tours. The Army is in the midst of one of its worst recruiting droughts: more than 7,000 behind in efforts to recruit 80,000 this year.

The early-out rule for pro athletes drew strong – and opposite – reaction from a senator and a congressman who are on West Point’s Board of Visitors.

“I don’t understand it, frankly,” Rep. Maurice Hinchey, D-N.Y., said. “If someone commits to West Point and unless there is some physical or psychological or other serious reason they cannot fulfill the obligation … then they should fulfill that obligation fully.”

For Sen. Jack Reed (news, bio, voting record), D-R.I., a West Point graduate, the policy “recognizes there are very few talented athletes who might be able to serve in a different capacity” by helping to recruit. “It will be used in a very positive way to do precisely what we’re concerned about right now – help recruiting efforts.”

Lt. Col. Bryan Hilferty, an Army spokesman at the Pentagon, said the new program is a “win-win situation.” He said the soldier “continues to serve, does something he loves and helps us man the force.”

Recruiting role

This is not the first such exception. Former Naval Academy basketball player David Robinson served two years of his five-year commitment on active duty. He was excused because his height (7-1) made it impossible for him to be deployed in many roles.

Holden, 24, of Hudson, Ohio, is a former football and baseball star at West Point who had wanted to become an Army Ranger. He is the only member of the Army approved for the new program. In exchange for his release from active duty, Holden must serve six years in the Selected Reserve (which requires 37 training days a year) and reimburse the U.S. government a prorated portion of his educational expenses: $96,000 owed. He is subject to call-up at any time.

The Reds are helping Holden to reduce his debt by paying him a little more than other rookies at his level, according to Grant Griesser, the club’s assistant director of player development. They have given Holden a three-year commitment, his agent, Jeff Frye, says.

When the season is over, Holden will be assigned to U.S. Army Accession Command at Fort Knox, Ky. From there, he’ll conduct recruiting activities across the USA. That is, until baseball season. Then, he’ll be extolling the virtues of the Army and West Point where he’s playing. “This is going to be a great thing for the Army,” he says. “Eventually, this will bring better candidates to West Point … for professional sports or not.”

Maj. Gen. David P. Valcourt, commanding general at Fort Sill, Okla., and a strong and influential supporter of Holden’s application for release from active duty, believes he’s the perfect image for the Army.

“When young people come to know him through his baseball career … they will see qualities which are present in young men and women all through the Army,” Valcourt says via an e-mail sent through Fort Sill’s public affairs office. “I know he will be a role model that all of his Army teammates will be proud of.”