Vice Adm. Holder's sea duty includes USS William C. Lawe (DD 763) as First Lieutenant and Combat Information Center Officer, USS Brumby (DE 1044) as Operations Officer, USS Boulder (LST 1190) as Chief Engineer, and USS Hermitage (LSD 34) as Executive Officer. His first command at sea was USS Inflict (MSO 456) in 1980, with subsequent commanding officer afloat tours in USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41) and USS Austin (LPD 4). Afloat staff tours were with Commander Seventh Fleet/ Commander Naval Forces, U.S. Central Command as Fleet Exercises and Amphibious Warfare Officer, and with Amphibious Group Two as Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans.
Shore tours include Aide to the Commandant Sixth Naval District/Commander Naval Base Charleston, Company Officer and Special Assistant to the Commandant, U.S. Naval Academy, and Assistant Surface Commander Assignments Officer, Naval Military Personnel Command. In 1980, Vice Adm. Holder graduated with distinction from the Air Command and Staff College at Air University, Montgomery Ala. While there, he earned a Master of Science Degree from Troy State University.