A retired command sergeant major has accused Gov. Tim Walz of embellishing his military service record.
Ret. Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Behrends and other veterans raised these claims in an interview reported by Fox News.
The controversy centers around accusations that Walz exaggerated his military rank and service experiences, a practice often referred to as "stolen valor." Behrends alleged that Walz not only embellished his record but also abandoned his unit just before their deployment to Iraq in 2005. This issue has sparked significant debate, particularly given Walz’s current political ambitions.
In an appearance on "The Ingraham Angle," Behrends criticized Walz for misleading the public about his military career. Behrends, who served in the same battalion as Walz, expressed his discontent with Walz’s portrayal of his service. According to Behrends, Walz retired from the Minnesota National Guard shortly before his unit received deployment orders to Iraq.
Walz's biography on his governor's website claims he is a retired "command sergeant major" and mentions carrying a gun "in war." Behrends, however, argued that Walz was promoted to command sergeant major in 2004 but did not fulfill the required additional two years of service to retain the rank. As a result, his rank was reduced to master sergeant upon retirement.
Lt. Col. Ryan Rossman of the Minnesota National Guard confirmed that while Walz was technically a Command Sgt Major during his deployment to Europe, he retired as a master sergeant due to benefit requirements. This technicality has become a focal point in the accusations against Walz.
The controversy gained momentum after Vice President Kamala Harris announced Walz as her running mate for the 2024 Democratic ticket. Following this announcement, questions arose about Walz’s military service rhetoric. Sen. JD Vance also accused Walz of "stolen valor," further fueling the debate.
Other veterans, including Tom Schilling, have publicly criticized Walz. Schilling, who also served in Walz’s battalion, described Walz’s actions as dishonorable. Schilling expressed his disappointment upon hearing Harris had chosen Walz as her running mate, recalling how Walz left his unit.
"We all did what we were supposed to do, we did the right thing, and it's dishonorable what he did. He left somebody else to take over his spot. He just ditched us," Schilling said.
Walz's campaign issued a statement highlighting his 24 years of military service and his advocacy for veterans. The statement emphasized his role in chairing Veterans Affairs and his commitment to military families. Despite this, the response has not quelled the criticism from veterans like Behrends and Schilling.
Behrends argued that Walz’s embellishments are misleading and disrespectful to those who served in combat. He claimed that most soldiers who deployed to Iraq with him were against Walz’s portrayal of his service record. "From what I get from the soldiers that I went to Iraq with, probably 98% of them are completely against him embellishing his record. Don't try to make it look like you were a command sergeant major," Behrends said.
Behrends also questioned Walz’s claims of carrying a gun "in war," noting that Walz never experienced active combat. He dismissed Walz’s service in Italy as far removed from actual war zones. Army Lt. Col. Ryan Rossman provided further clarification, stating that while Walz was recognized as a Command Sgt Major during his deployment, the final rank recorded upon retirement was master sergeant due to incomplete service requirements.
The allegations against Gov. Tim Walz highlight significant discrepancies in his military service record. Ret. Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Behrends and other veterans have accused Walz of embellishing his rank and abandoning his unit, leading to claims of "stolen valor." The controversy has drawn attention to the importance of accurate military records, especially for public figures. As the debate continues, the impact on Walz’s political career remains to be seen.
