CSM Eric S. Bol is a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and enlisted in the Army in November 2003. He has served in numerous leadership positions, including Team Leader, Recruiter, Squad Leader, Weapons Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, Senior Drill Sergeant, First Sergeant, Operations Sergeant Major, and Senior Military Science Instructor.
CSM Bol’s previous assignments include the 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, Fort Stewart, Georgia; the 5th Ranger Training Battalion, Camp Merrill, Georgia; the Chicago Recruiting Battalion, Chicago, Illinois; the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, Fort Campbell, Kentucky; the 795th Military Police Battalion, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; the 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; and the University of Portland ROTC program.
CSM Bol’s military education includes all levels of the NCO professional development system. He is a graduate of the Airborne Course, Air Assault Course, Recruiter Course, Retention Course, Pathfinder Course, Ranger Course, Rappel Master Course, Drill Sergeant Course, Jumpmaster Course, Master Educator Course, and the Sergeants Major Academy. CSM Bol also holds a bachelor’s degree from the United States Army Command and General Staff College.
CSM Bol’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (with one oak leaf cluster), Army Commendation Medal (six oak leaf clusters and one combat device), Army Achievement Medal (three oak leaf clusters), Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation (with one oak leaf cluster), Good Conduct Medal (6th award), National Defense Service Medal, Afghan Campaign Medal (with two stars), Iraqi Campaign Medal (with one star), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Operation Inherent Resolve Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (numeral 5), Overseas Service Ribbon (numeral 4), NATO Medal, Gold Recruiter Badge (with three Sapphire Stars), Glen E. Morrell Recruiting Award, Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, Air Assault Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Ranger Tab, German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (Gold), and Ivory Coast Parachutist Badge. MSG Bol is a Distinguished Member of the 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment and a recipient of the Order of Saint Maurice Medallion.
CSM Bol is married to the former Rebekah Brooke of Lowell, Michigan. Together they have one son and one daughter.