This article is the fourth and final post of the series on Volleyball and Veterans. Today I want to talk about a Soldier whose life has been impacted significantly by Volleyball – Lieutenant Christopher M. Boldt. Time has slipped away for me lately and, although it’s been a few years since I talked to Chris, he has literally taken off and flown like an eagle in his career as a Soldier. And, those thoughts lead me to the song of the day, “Fly Like an Eagle” by the Steve Miller Band and later redone by Seal.
“Time keeps on slippin’, slippin’, slippin’
Into the future
Time keeps on slippin’, slippin’, slippin’
Into the future
I want to fly like an eagle
To the sea
Fly like an eagle
Let my spirit carry me”
Chris is one of those rare and extraordinary young men who is highly driven and motivated to achieve a loftier goal and higher ambition. Before we talk about Chris, however, I’d like to mention his family briefly. Chris’s parents are John and Doey Boldt, and they are gracious and compassionate people who truly give much back to the entire St. Louis community. John is a successful businessman, active in the community and Volleyball, while Doey teaches elementary school at a Catholic Parish school. Chris comes from Volleyball and basketball genetic royalty since he is the second cousin of Volleyball legend Sinjin Smith and the grandson of Marv Schatzman, who starred in basketball at Saint Louis University and then played in the NBA.
Chris graduated from De Smet Jesuit High School in St. Louis in 2009. While at De Smet, Chris, among his many other accomplishments, won a state championship as the captain and leader of the 2009 De Smet Boys Volleyball team. Additionally, in his spare time away from Volleyball, he was the starting punter for the De Smet football team and was an All-Metro selection in both football and Volleyball. Oh yeah, I almost forgot – he also secured an appointment to the United States Military Academy (USMA).
The structure at USMA can be daunting to incoming cadets, but Chris thrived in the military environment. In the summer between his sophomore and junior year, Chris attended the rigorous and demanding Sapper Leader Course, a 28 day course “designed to train joint service leaders in small unit tactics, leadership skills, and tactics required to perform as part of a combined arms team.” In order to wear the Sapper Tab, a Soldier must be a graduate of the previously mentioned Sapper Leader Course. Although this course has a very high “washout” rate, Chris completed it and earned the privilege of wearing the coveted Sapper Tab. Chris played football all four years at USMA and, during his junior and senior years, he was the starting punter for the Black Knights, earning varsity letters both years.
Chris did try to participate on the USMA interscholastic men’s club Volleyball team, but this request was nixed by the Athletic Department for three years since they did not want one of the football players getting hurt playing club Volleyball. In his senior year, with his athletic eligibility now exhausted, Chris tried once more to play interscholastic club Volleyball. However, because of his leadership responsibilities in the Corps of Cadets, Chris was “advised” once more not to play Club Volleyball. You see, in his senior year, Chris was designated one of only four Regimental Commanders in the USMA Corp of Cadets, a student leadership position subordinate only to the student Brigade Commander. And, if I may, let me clarify the structure of the USMA Corp of Cadets and the chain of command.
The USMA Corps of Cadets is organized as a Brigade of four Regiments. Each Regiment is divided into two battalions of four companies each. The Brigade Commander is the top ranking Cadet. Each Regiment is commanded by a Regimental Commander. Each Battalion is commanded by a Battalion Commander. And finally, each company (32 total) is commanded by a Company Commander. That structure is the chain of command from the Brigade Commander down through the Regimental Commanders, Battalion Commanders and Company Commanders.
Under the supervision of the Regimental Tactical Officer (RTO) (a Regular Army officer with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel) and the Brigade Commander, the Regimental Commander directs the regiment. The Regimental Commander supervises two Battalion Commanders, Eight Company Commanders, the Regimental Executive Officer and Regimental Command Sergeant Major.
The Regimental Commander is responsible to the RTO and the Brigade Commander for the overall performance of the regiment. The Regimental Commander exercises this responsibility through subordinate commanders, other members of the cadet chain of command, and staff members to include cadet noncommissioned officers. The Regimental Commander is responsible for two battalions and eight companies of cadets, approximately 1,250 cadets total.
Direct duties of the Regimental Commander include:
- Provide the principal formal and informal, two-way communications link between the RTO and the cadets assigned to the regiment.
- Provide clarification of the RTO’s and Brigade Commander’s policies.
- Providing guidance for the implementation of the RTO’s and Brigade Commander’s policies, as appropriate.
- Monitor the performance of subordinate units.
- Establish specific goals and objectives for the entire year to give direction to the regiment and provide resources necessary to meet these goals and objectives.
- Inspect the Regiment as required to determine the state of appearance, discipline, morale, maintenance, training, and administrative and logistical support of the regiment.
- Provide feedback to the RTO and the cadet chain of command, as required.
- Provide guidance for the supervision and coordination of the regimental staff.
- Monitor staff performance through the Regimental Executive Officer.
With that scope of duties and responsibilities, as well as a full time course regimen, it’s understandable why the RTO did not want Chris to play Volleyball. Unfortunately, though, it was Volleyball’s loss because Chris is both a tenacious competitor and an exceptional Volleyball player who would have improved the USMA club team.
May of 2013 arrived and Chris was commissioned as an Infantry Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. Off to Fort Benning, Georgia, for Infantry Officer Basic Course, Airborne School, and Ranger School. Finally, Lieutenant Boldt was assigned to the Second Cavalry Regiment in Vilsek, Germany, where he is still serving his country.
Chris, thanks for serving our nation. Of all the players I coached over the years, only you and Steve Harvey chose to enter the military. I personally know this military service is your gain and that you are obviously a better person for it. Regarding Volleyball, however, the Army does have an All-Army team. There’s this guy named Bryan Pieschel we both know (who is a former Captain of the All-Army team) who would write you a great reference, as will I.
Volleyball Community, let’s grow volleyball together, please!
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