Insights from AP’s Review of Tim Walz’s Military Record Descriptions

Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz has a long history with the National Guard, having served for 24 years before receiving an honorable discharge. This record has bolstered his reputation in the political arena, yet it is currently under scrutiny from Republicans aiming to undermine him.

GOP critics have highlighted discontent among some former National Guard members regarding Walz’s decision to retire from military service in 2005 to run for Congress shortly before his unit was deployed to Iraq. Additionally, they have accused him of exaggerating his military rank after leaving the service and misrepresenting his combat experience.

This strategy poses risks for Republicans, especially when placed in context with Walz’s extensive military background compared to former President Donald Trump, who avoided service during the Vietnam War through multiple deferments, including one due to bone spurs in his feet.

Supporters of Walz dismiss the criticism as politically charged and emphasize the sacrifices made by him and fellow soldiers. The campaign for Kamala Harris and Walz has stood firm behind his record, asserting that he is a vigorous advocate for military personnel.

The contention concerning Walz focuses not on his actual service, but rather on how he has described his military tenure and the circumstances surrounding his retirement.

An examination of Walz’s remarks during his campaigns for Congress, as well as his time as a congressman and governor, indicates he has sometimes been precise while at other times less careful with critical details.

For instance, during his 2006 campaign to unseat a long-standing Republican in Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District, Walz claimed, “I’m a retired command sergeant major.” However, this statement was misleading as while he briefly held that rank, it was not his official rank upon retirement. Such discrepancies might seem insignificant to the general public but carry significant weight in military circles.

In the Army, rank holds immense respect, and the title of command sergeant major is regarded as one of the highest achievements in the enlisted rank structure.

John Kolb, a former Colonel in the Minnesota Army National Guard, noted that the importance of rank may be underestimated by those outside the military. The reverence for the title of command sergeant major, categorized as E-9, is profound within the armed forces.

Walz’s military service is notable in its duration, as he could have retired nearly three years prior to his actual retirement. However, it is the timing of his retirement, which coincided with his emerging political ambitions, that has attracted scrutiny.

In January 2005, Walz participated in a progressive political boot camp in Minnesota, subsequently announcing his intention to run for Congress in February of that year. Shortly thereafter, his battalion received notification about a potential deployment to Iraq.

In a release regarding his congressional campaign, Walz asserted he would remain in the race “whether I am in Minnesota or Iraq.” However, he officially announced his retirement from the National Guard less than two months later, on May 16, 2005.

Additionally, Walz faced backlash for a comment made during a 2018 video where he stated, “weapons of war that I carried in war,” which was used by Sen. JD Vance, running mate to Trump, to accuse him of fabricating combat experience. Vance, a Marine Corps veteran himself, criticized Walz for implying he had served in a combat environment when he had not.

The Harris campaign responded to this criticism by asserting that Walz “misspoke” and was merely articulating his views on the dangers of military weapons in civilian contexts.

Throughout his time with the National Guard, Walz and other troops were deployed to Italy in 2003 for base security as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, which focused on Afghanistan.

For many Democrats, the GOP’s offensive against Walz seems reminiscent of tactics used to tarnish John Kerry’s candidacy in the 2004 election, where questions about Kerry’s leadership as a swift boat commander in Vietnam were aimed at damaging his character.

However, as Republicans attempt to portray Walz’s military credentials as a liability, they risk reminding voters of Trump’s avoidance of military service and his previous critical remarks about veterans.

Vance served in Iraq as a military journalist before transitioning to a career in venture capital and writing. Meanwhile, Walz’s allies continue to view the attacks on him as politically motivated, detracting from the sacrifices he and countless service members have made over the years.

The Harris campaign highlighted that Walz has been a “tireless advocate for our men and women in uniform” and proclaimed that he would consistently support veterans and military families as a vice presidential candidate.