Lieutenant Colonel (R) Victor Holman graduated from Syracuse University in 1982 with dual Bachelor’s degrees in English and Psychology and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the Armor Branch. LTC Holman held numerous command and staff positions throughout his 20-year career. His first assignment was the 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry as a Platoon Leader and Executive Officer for one of the first units to field the Bradley Fighting Vehicle.
In 1986, Captain Holman completed the Armor Officer Advanced Course and was assigned to Combat Developments, Fort Knox, KY. As the project officer for the JANUS computer, he was responsible for verifying combat systems through simulation. In 1988, Captain Holman was selected to command Alpha Troop of the 5th Squadron, 12th Cavalry Regiment, and in 1989, he was chosen to command the Headquarters Troop of the 5th Squadron. From 1990-1993, Captain Holman taught Military Science at the University of South Carolina.
In April 1993, Captain Holman was frocked to Major and assigned to Central Command and United Nations Forces in Somalia during Operation Restore Hope. As Assistant Operations and Liaison Officer in Somalia, Major Holman coordinated peacekeeping, humanitarian, and combat operations. He was the first U.S. soldier to enter Hargesy, Somolila for disarmament talks. As the Liaison for the Commanding General, he served aboard the USS Wasp with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Major Holman also served as the Battalion Executive Officer for the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor, 3rd Infantry Division. In 1997, Major Holman served as the War Plans Officer and then Deputy G3 for Operations for the XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, NC. In 1998, he planned and aided the strategic deployment of a mechanized and armored task force to Kuwait in response to Iraqi aggression. He also served as Chief Operations Officer for the 189th Infantry Brigade and directed training for the National Guard’s 30th Brigade. From 1999. 2003, LTC Holman served as the Professor of Military Science at the College of William and Mary in Virginia. He retired in 2003.
LTC Holman’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Modal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, and German Proficiency Badge. LTC Holman holds a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University and a Military Masters of Arts and Science degree from the School of Advanced Military Studies at Fort Leavenworth, KS. He also attended the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Combined Arms Staff Services School, Armor Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defense Course, Mortar Officer’s Course, and the Federal Emergency Preparedness Course.
LTC Holman is married to the former Dakota Caine (SU Class of 1983). They have one son and one daughter.