Donald C. Bolduc
After 33 years of active duty service to his country in which he received 2 awards for valor, 5 Bronze Star medals, 2 Purple Hearts, led ten deployments, and survived both a bomb blast, numerous fire fights, and a helicopter crash, General Donald C. Bolduc, former Commander, Special Operations Command Africa, has hung up his fatigues to take on perhaps his most important and challenging mission of advocating for veterans and their families, the treatment and shedding the stigma of PTS, TBI, pain management, sleep disorders, and neurotoxicity both from within the US military as well as the general public. His second passion is teaching, and he is serving an Adjunct Professor at Southern New Hampshire University, and coaching, and mentoring leadership from entry level to the senior executive level, through his Truth to Power (LLC).
The General started his career as Private Bolduc on June 29, 1981, exactly 36 years before his final change of command. After the terrorist attacks of 9/11, then-Major Bolduc led one of the first groups into Afghanistan to take control of the southern Afghanistan region from Taliban rule. One of the few survivors of a 2,000-pound bomb that was inadvertently targeted on their own position by friendly fire in December 2001, and despite his injuries Bolduc refused to leave the battlefield and continued to take on his next objective. He was later awarded his first of several combat valor awards and a Purple Heart for his injuries.
As the Battalion Commander of 1st Battalion 3rd Special Forces Group (Desert Eagles) Bolduc’s unit was credited with the success of Operation Medusa and awarded the Canadian Commander-in-Chief Unit Commendation for actions by the “Desert Eagles” that were considered an extraordinary deed or activity, of a rare high standard, in extremely hazardous circumstances, beyond the demands of normal duty in combat. This was the first time a foreign military unit received this distinction from the Canadian government and military. From 2010 through 2011 and 2012-2013 he served as Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force commander and then as Commander, Combined Joint Special Operations Component Commander in Afghanistan and was credited with the creation and establishment of the “Village Stability Operations” the only successful bottom-up stability effort in rural areas and villages in Afghanistan. The program achieved unprecedented security gains and was considered by Mullah Omar the most dangerous program to the Taliban. This program undermined insurgent influence and control by the Taliban and ensured the stabilization of large areas of the war-torn country through Afghan Local Police between 2010-2013.
In his role as the Deputy Director for US U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) from 2013-2015, Brigadier General (BG) Bolduc was responsible to the US AFRICOM commander for the full spectrum of operations and activities across the African continent. In his role as the Special Operations Command-Africa commander (COMSOCAFRICA) from 2015-2017 BG Bolduc was responsible for 96 missions and more than 2000 U.S. military, interagency and international military personnel operating in 28 countries throughout Africa and Europe. SOCAFRICA is designated as U.S. Africa Command’s lead counter-Violent Extremist Organizations (VEO) operations component. Prior to this, he served on the Joint Staff in the Office of Secretary of Defense and as the Aide to the Secretary of the Army at the Pentagon.
His other awards and decorations include the Defense Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, 5 Bronze Star Medals with Valor Device, Army Commendation Medal with Valor Device, numerous foreign awards including Canadian Commander-in-Chief Unit Commendation, Ordre Du Merite Nationale from Mauritania, Ordre Du Lion from Senegal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Special Forces Tab, and Ranger Tab.
Beyond his various positions and awards, nothing brings more meaning to Bolduc’s service than his latest mission with the support of his wife Sharon to combat the stigmas around post-traumatic stress (PTS), speak on leadership, and provide advice on Special Operations Forces. As one of the few senior military officers, and, at the time, the only active duty general officer on record, to openly discuss his own struggles with PTS, Bolduc has used his
leadership position to change the conversation to one of understanding and acceptance through his own experiences. Dubbed “Captain America” and “Everyone’s General” by his fellow officers and soldiers, Bolduc always put country first, and now looks to continue his service off the battlefield sharing his leadership mantra of “People, Family, Mission” and his personal experiences with mental health to continue his leadership journey and help educate others.
In his younger years, Bolduc’s work ethic was shaped by working on his Grandfathers farm, paper routes, working as a grounds keeper at a resort, working at Piche’s Ski Shop, and working as a Police Cadet and then a Special (part-time) Police Officer on the Laconia Police Department. At the time, Bolduc was the youngest and only high school student to work as a part-time police officer in New Hampshire.
Bolduc is the recipient of a Medical Service Dog from Guardian Angels Medical Dog Service Inc. based in Williston, FL. Northrop Grumman sponsored the care and training of “Victor”. Bolduc paired in February 2018 with Victor and is now enjoying the benefits of a medical service dog.
Bolduc is the recipient of the Doctor of Humane Letters from New England College presented on 15 January 2019. The degree was conferred in honor of his distinguished contributions in public service and the United States Military. He credits this honor to the efforts and support of his Mom and Dad, His wife Sharon, his family and friends, teachers, coaches, and to the men and women he had the honor to serve with during his 33 years of service. He dedicates this honor to the 72 service members he commanded that he did not bring home.
Bolduc is the recipient of the United States Army War College Distinguished Research Award presented on 6 June 2009.
Bolduc is the recipient of the Salem State University Marilyn E. Flaherty Distinguished Alumnus Award presented on 31 May 2015.
Bolduc is the recipient of the Dean College Distinguished Alumnus Award presented on 20 March 2019.
Bolduc has an A.S. in Criminal Justice from Dean College, B.S. in Sociology from Salem State University, M.A. in Business Technology/Human Resource Development from Webster University, and a M.S. in Strategic Studies from the Army War College. Bolduc is currently enrolled in Grand Canyon University as a Doctoral Candidate in Education with an emphasis in Leadership Development and Organizational Development.
Bolduc is currently involved with the following Boards, organizations, and Academic institutions:
Boards and Academic Institutions
1. Appointed by the Governor of New Hampshire to serve as member of the Juvenile Parole Board-Gov. Sununu and Elliot Gault
2. Adjunct Professor, Southern New Hampshire University-Joanne Normand, Steve Johnson, Will Zemp
3. Doctoral Candidate at Grand canyon University in Education with an emphasis in Leadership Development and Organizational development.
Advisor Positions
4. Advisor of Operation Sea Daddy a Military Coaching and Social Networking to support transitioning service member to civilian life
5. Senior Advisor for the Center of Naval Analysis that provides cutting-edge, expert analysis and high quality, and impart information for effective decision making-Jon Schroden
6. Advisor to Spirit of America an organization dedicated to directly supporting the safety and success of deployed US troops and diplomats-Jim Hake
7. Board member of IDS International a leader in training and support for complex operations-Nick Dowling
8. Board of Advisors to Smitz Laboratories-Kyle Smitz
9. Advisor for Mission Readiness, Council for a Strong America consisting of retired admirals and generals strengthening national security by ensuring kids stay in school, stay fit, and stay out of trouble-Ben Goodman
10. A supporter of the morning show, New Hampshire Today, with, on Veteran Issues in New Hampshire- Jack Heath
11. Primex NH Public Risk Management: Provide Leadership, Training, Advising, and Coaching -Ty Gagne and Robert Barry
12. Medicus Health Solutions: Provide Leadership, Training, Advising, and Coaching-Joseph Matarese, Grant Smith, Chris Mader
13. Member of Outspoken Agency for public speaking-Tori Mara and Caitie Bradley
Veteran Organizations
14. Active supporter of NH Veterans Count a program of Easter Seals to support Veterans-Greg Whalen, Rick Courtemanche, Jeff Hyatt, Kathy Flynn
15. Advisor to Vet Links that educates and empowers veterans and their families by linking them to services, support, and programs to enrich their quality of life-Jessica Kavanaugh
16. Advisor to Guardian Angels Inc. a nationally recognized nonprofit organization that specializes in training and pairing service dogs-Carol Borden
17. Former Advisor to Trauma and Resiliency Resources, Inc. they provide multi-faceted, focused, trauma interventions to first responders and warriors who develop symptoms of PTS and combat-related PTS because of executing line of duty/service responsibilities-Eva Usadi
18. Board Advisor for Warriors Heart Foundation a PTS and addiction treatment center for active military, veterans, and first responders- Josh Lannon, Lisa Lannon, Tom Spooner
19. Advisor for the Semper FI Fund is a non-profit 501 organization that provides a variety of programs to assist wounded veterans in all branches of the United States Armed Forces-Karen Guenther and Wendy Lethin
20. A supporter of Pease Greeters a group of patriotic Americans who welcome men and women in our Armed Forces who pass through Pease International Airport-JoAnne Schottler
21. Advisor to the Green Alert System designed to provide alerts to law enforcement and public on missing service members and veterans-Mimi Bradley
Bolduc resides in Stratham, NH and has been married to Sharon M. Bolduc for 30 years. They have three sons Joshua, Zachary, and Matthew, as well as three grandchildren Little “J “, Hurricane Hadley, and Hannah Banana.