The Kamala Harris campaign has found itself in the spotlight over the military service history of her running mate, Tim Walz.
As reported by the Independent, the campaign recently modified the description of Walz's military record on its website following scrutiny and claims that he misrepresented his rank,
Walz, who enlisted in the National Guard at the age of 17, served for an impressive 24 years. During his tenure, he participated in deployments for national disasters and overseas missions in Italy.
However, the recent controversy stems from the fact that Walz retired as a master sergeant due to not completing the required coursework, rather than as a command sergeant major as previously claimed.
The Harris campaign swiftly adjusted the description of Walz's military record on its website from "retired command sergeant major" to "rising to the rank of Command Sergeant Major."
This change aims to provide a more accurate representation of his service history. Official military records confirm that Walz retired in May 2005, prior to his unit's deployment to Iraq.
The controversy gained traction when Republican JD Vance accused Walz of lying about his military record and engaging in "stolen valor." During a rally, Vance criticized Walz, claiming that he avoided deployment to Iraq while allowing his unit to go without him.
Vance stated:
When the US Marine Corps asked me to go to Iraq to serve my country, I did it. When Tim Walz was asked by his country to go to Iraq, he dropped out of the Army and allowed his unit to go without him. I think that's shameful.
Walz responded to Vance's accusations at a separate rally, making personal remarks about the Republican candidate.
Despite the Harris campaign's efforts to clarify Walz's military record, a section of the Minnesota governor's website still claims that he retired as a command sergeant major. This discrepancy has further fueled the controversy surrounding his service history.
Prior to his involvement in politics, Walz worked as a high school teacher and coach. He was elected to the US House of Representatives in 2006 and later became Minnesota's governor in 2018, securing reelection in 2022.
As the controversy surrounding Walz's military record continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how this incident will impact his political career and the Harris campaign's prospects moving forward.
The Harris campaign's decision to adjust Walz's military record description on its website has sparked a heated political debate. While Walz's extensive service in the National Guard is noteworthy, the claims of misrepresentation have provided ammunition for Republican critics.
