In the afterglow of the Fourth of July, I felt it was appropriate to recognize several bobsled athletes that not only serve their country in their quest for Olympic gold, but also as soldiers in the National Guard.

Drivers Steven Holcomb and John Napier are among a handful of bobsled athletes that have served in the Army's World Class Athlete Program (WCAP), which supports elite athletes in their training and competitions while they maintain a professional military career. 

While 2009 World Champion and Olympic favorite Steven Holcomb was honorably discharged in 2006 after a seven-year career in the Army, he says there is no doubt it helped him get where he is today.  He says, "I would not have been able to focus and dedicate myself to the sport without their [WCAP] financial and moral support." 

Holcomb said the Army approached him after he won the 1998 four-man National Championship and told him about WCAP.  Shortly thereafter, Holcomb began his training as a Combat Engineer.  He remarked that while the fitness training is vastly different between the Army and bobsled team, they are similar in intensity.  He also said that "soldiers focus and dedicate themselves to their mission just as any Olympic athlete does." 

America's Cup champion John Napier joined the National Guard in 2007 mainly because of the success he had seen with other Army bobsled athletes, such as 2006 Olympic bronze medalist Mike Kohn and 2006 Olympic silver medalist Shauna Rohbock.  They were his inspirations and encouraged him to join.  Napier currently serves as an engineer and is also a member of the WCAP.  In addition to all of his athletic training, he still completes his National Guard requirements on the side. 

Napier says, "Bobsledding would still not be possible for me without the Army and WCAP.  It supports me financially and gives me an amazing support group to turn to with any other issues related to the sport or army career." 

Holcomb and Napier are not the only bobsled athletes that have military careers on the side.  In addition to Shauna Rohbock and Mike Kohn, Chris Fogt, Garett Hines, Michael Bradley, and Hoy Thurman also serve in various military units around the country.  Assistant bobsled coach Bill Tavares is also still active in the Army and manages all WCAP activities for bobsled athletes. 

It is amazing seeing athletes that are as dedicated to the service of their country as they are to their Olympic training.  They are truly an inspiration to us all.