Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, recently named as the vice presidential candidate alongside Kamala Harris, is facing scrutiny over his military record.
According to the New York Post, veterans have accused Walz of abandoning his National Guard battalion in 2005 as they prepared for deployment to Iraq.
Walz, who served in the National Guard after high school, ascended to the rank of command sergeant major. Despite his long service, his departure from the military in 2005 has been intensely examined.
According to retired Command Sergeants Major Thomas Behrends and Paul Herr, Walz left his battalion just as they were preparing for a challenging deployment, a move they detailed in a 2018 Facebook letter.
On May 16, 2005, Tim Walz retired from the National Guard. This was right as the 1-125th Field Artillery Battalion was gearing up to deploy to Iraq. Behrends and Herr expressed deep dissatisfaction with Walz's decision in their public missive, interpreting it as a betrayal.
Some consider Walz's retirement from the military a move to begin his political career. He successfully ran for Congress in 2006. Critics argue that he could have sought permission to temporarily defer his military obligations from the Pentagon to pursue political ambitions, but he opted for retirement instead.
Despite the stern criticism from some quarters, Walz’s military decisions are defended by others. Joseph Eustice and Al Bonnifield have spoken highly of Walz's military service and choices.
Another serviceman, Joseph Eustice, noted, "When he chose to leave, he had every right to leave." Eustice has been vocal in the media, defending Walz's honor and decisions during his service years.
Al Bonnifield shared insights into Walz’s thought process during his transition from military to political life. "He wasn’t trying to skip out on a deployment," Bonnifield stated. He added, "He talked with us for quite a while on that subject. He weighed that decision to run for Congress very heavily. He loved the military, he loved the guard, he loved the soldiers he worked with."
As a Congressman, Walz opposed President George W. Bush's move to increase troop levels in Iraq, further showcasing his engagement with military policies. His 24-year military career, culminating in a complex legacy, is filled with commendable service and contentious decisions.
As criticism mounts, Walz has maintained that his military record is honorable. "We all do what we can. I’m proud I did 24 years," stated Walz, reflecting on his extensive service.
The allegations first gained significant attention during Walz's 2018 gubernatorial run when the letter from Behrends and Herr surfaced, highlighting the discontent among some veterans. Such controversies have re-emerged as Walz takes on a more prominent role on the national political stage.
In conclusion, as Tim Walz steps into the national spotlight as a vice presidential candidate, his past, particularly his military and early political decisions, is being revisited by supporters and detractors alike. While some view his departure from the Guard as an abandonment, others defend it as a legitimate move toward public service, underscored by a long and honorable military career.
