Staff Reports
It appears that Tim Walz, the most recent addition to Kamala Harris’s ticket, is finding himself under a considerable spotlight regarding his military record. This scrutiny was kicked off by a CNN fact-check that unearthed some unpleasant discrepancies. Walz, who celebrated 24 years in the military before hanging up his fatigues in 2005, did so coincidentally just as his unit was getting ready to ship out to Iraq. The timing of his retirement has raised eyebrows, along with his claims about combat experience that might not hold up under the harsh glare of truth.
During his public appearances, Walz has suggested he faced direct combat, but CNN’s investigation revealed a different story. It found little evidence that he was ever under fire, leading the network to conclude that his assertions were “absolutely false.” Of course, one might wonder why a former sergeant major is keen on embellishing his experience when it would be more honorable to speak plainly about his service. But when political aspirations are at stake, it seems the facts often take a back seat to personal narratives.
🚨 CNN FINALLY Fact-Checks Tim Walz's Military Record, Egregious LIES: 'No Evidence' 👏https://t.co/pquBe8jZcl
— Proud Elephant 🇺🇸🦅 (@ProudElephantUS) August 7, 2024
JD Vance, Trump’s vice presidential pick, wasted no time in pressing Walz on this tender issue. During a Michigan press conference, Vance pointed out Walz’s glaring inconsistency: when his country needed him to stand up and serve, he instead opted for an early retirement, leaving his unit to face Iraq without their commander. Given the sacrifices made by those who serve, it’s hard not to see this decision as shameful. Accountability in leadership is essential, yet here lies a glaring example of the opposite.
Adding salt to the wound, the Minnesota National Guard confirmed that Walz, who has long touted himself as a command sergeant major, actually retired as a master sergeant. According to a public affairs officer from the Minnesota National Guard, he didn’t complete the required coursework at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy, which effectively resulted in his demotion. Talk about a ghost rank. This revelation contradicts years of Walz claiming higher honors in his official biographies and public statements.
The fact-checking of Walz’s military claims gained traction during his 2018 gubernatorial campaign, raising questions about his readiness to lead based on the split-second decisions he made. Two retired senior officials from the Minnesota National Guard made it known that Walz’s retirement timing was anything but coincidental, with his battalion poised for deployment. In the landscape of veteran affairs and military service, integrity matters, and voters would likely prefer someone whose actions align with their words.
