A report by Breitbart News reveals that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz inaccurately referred to himself as a "Retired Command Sergeant Major" in a 2006 radio ad during his initial run for U.S. Congress.
The ad resurfaced recently and has drawn criticism from the military community, accusing Walz of "stolen valor" for using a title he did not officially earn.
Walz's campaign has since altered his biography on Kamala Harris's official website. The original claim of him being a "retired Command Sergeant Major" has been replaced with a note that he once served at that rank. The controversy has reignited discussions about Walz’s military service, with previous reports suggesting he also falsely claimed to be a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
After being named as the running mate for Kamala Harris, Tim Walz faced renewed attention regarding his military service claims, which began during his congressional campaign in 2006.
According to public records and election advertisements, Walz inaccurately declared himself a "Retired Command Sergeant Major" despite not completing the requisite military coursework for such a title. Additionally, in a problematic radio ad for his campaign, he claimed to have incurred hearing loss due to his military service.
The scrutiny intensified following Kamala Harris's VP announcement, leading to corrections on her campaign's website regarding Walz's military title. This response marked a significant alteration in how the campaign addressed his service records amid the controversy.
Tim Walz’s false claim of being a "Retired Command Sergeant Major" dates back to his initial bid for Congress in Southern Minnesota. His statement from that period was:
My name is Tim Walz and I’m running for Congress here in Southern Minnesota for several important reasons. But today, I’d like to tell you about one issue that’s very personal to me. I am a retired Command Sergeant Major in the Minnesota National Guard.
The same campaign period also saw Walz described as a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom, a claim later found to be inaccurate since he did not serve in the corresponding theater of operations, Afghanistan.
Walz's misstatements extended to his views on gun control, where he suggested his military experience involved "carrying weapons of war"—a claim later corrected by his campaign. This rhetoric emerged during a critical phase in his political ascent, evident from a Harris campaign video showing Walz discussing his views on strict gun regulations.
Despite the controversies, evidence confirms he did suffer hearing loss from his time in an artillery unit, supporting some aspect of his broader military narrative. Yet, Walz also faced backlash for his participation in anti-war protests, mingling his military persona with political activism during George W. Bush's administration.
As the allegations and details unraveled, the discourse surrounding Walz's misstatement provided fodder for both media and political opponents, especially in the context of a high-stakes electoral race with Kamala Harris. The fallout over these claims has stirred discussions about the integrity and honesty of political candidates regarding their backgrounds.
In light of the controversy, the Harris campaign promptly removed any reference to Walz as a "retired command sergeant major," underscoring a rapid strategic shift to mitigate the impact of these revelations on their campaign. This incident highlights the delicate balance political figures must maintain in presenting their credentials accurately, particularly when in the national spotlight.
In conclusion, the controversy centers around Walz’s use of the title "retired Command Sergeant Major," a rank he was not authorized to claim due to his failure to complete the necessary coursework. This false assertion reappeared in an ad just before he was selected as Kamala Harris’s vice-presidential running mate, leading to renewed examination of his military service records and past campaign statements.
