In a surprising revelation on Wednesday, the Minnesota National Guard disclosed that Governor Tim Walz, who has long touted his status as a retired command sergeant major, was actually demoted from that rank prior to his retirement. This information contradicts years of claims made by Kamala Harris’ vice presidential running mate, including those in his official gubernatorial biography.
While Walz did temporarily hold the title of command sergeant major, he retired as a master sergeant in 2005 because he did not complete additional coursework at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy, according to Army Lt. Col. Kristen Augé, the Minnesota National Guard’s State Public Affairs Officer, in an interview with Just The News.
Walz’s military career with the Army National Guard began in 1981 and spanned until his retirement in 2005. He enlisted in Nebraska and served in various posts across the U.S. and abroad, including training stints in extreme environments like the Arctic Circle. Despite achieving the rank of command sergeant major, he retired at the rank of master sergeant for benefits purposes due to his failure to complete specific advanced coursework.
The scrutiny of Walz’s military records intensified during his 2018 gubernatorial campaign in Minnesota. His decision to retire shortly before his battalion was scheduled to deploy to Iraq raised questions about his commitment. Two retired senior officials from the Minnesota National Guard highlighted this timing, suggesting it reflected poorly on his leadership.
Thomas Behrends, who took over Walz’s role, criticized Walz for his decision. “I needed to hit the ground running and take care of the troops — and tell them we were going to war,” Behrends, who oversaw 500 soldiers, told the New York Post. “For a guy in that position, to quit is cowardice.”
Behrends, a 63-year-old farmer from Brewster, Minnesota, expressed strong disapproval of Walz, labeling him “a traitor” for stepping down just before the deployment. “When your country calls, you are supposed to run into battle — not the other way,” he said. “He ran away. It’s sad.”
Walz’s military service record, which he frequently referenced to emphasize his leadership and experience during his campaign, has now come under intense scrutiny. His critics argue that his decision to retire just before deployment casts doubt on his suitability for a leadership role on the national stage.
As Kamala Harris campaigns alongside Walz, this revelation about his military service could become a significant point of contention. Harris and Walz kicked off their campaign tour in Philadelphia, aiming to rally support in key battleground states.
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