A retired Command Sergeant Major who served with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has come forward with scathing accusations about the governor’s military service, labeling it as "stolen valor" and alleging significant misrepresentations. These allegations come amidst Governor Walz’s political ascent, being recently selected as Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate.
Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Behrends, a former member of Walz’s battalion, aired his grievances during an interview on "The Ingraham Angle." Behrends accused Walz of embellishing his military service and abandoning his unit just before their deployment to Iraq in 2005. "He’s used the rank that he never achieved in order to advance his political career," Behrends asserted. He criticized Walz for misleading the public by claiming a rank he did not officially retire with.
Hereโs Walz committing ACTUAL stolen valor and saying he went to war. Would be a shame if it went viral ๐ pic.twitter.com/wFN72y6Nas
— ๐บ๐ธ ~ ๐๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ง ~๐๏ธ (@RogueLou18) August 7, 2024
Walz's military record indicates he served in the National Guard for 24 years, initially enlisting at 17. He retired in 2005, around the time his unit was preparing for deployment to Iraq. This decision has been a point of contention, with critics arguing that Walz left his unit in a lurch for personal political ambitions. Walz retired as a Master Sergeant, not as a Command Sergeant Major, the latter being a rank he claimed in political campaigns and public statements.
Behrends was not alone in his criticism. Another veteran, Tom Schilling, echoed similar sentiments on "Jesse Watters Primetime," calling Walz’s actions "dishonorable." Schilling expressed disbelief and disappointment over Walz’s decision to leave just before deployment, underscoring the sense of betrayal felt by many in their unit.
Wow. The retired Command Sergeant Major who went to Iraq in place of Tim Walz (after Tim left the Army) just blasted him for stolen valor
โIf he thinks Italy was a combat zone and he was carrying that rifle in war, heโs delusionalโ pic.twitter.com/K0RreZ9FaZ
— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) August 8, 2024
JD Vance, Ohio Senator and Republican vice presidential nominee, has also seized upon these allegations, accusing Walz of lying about his military service and abandoning his comrades. Vance, a Marine veteran, compared his own service, emphasizing his commitment to deploy when called upon, contrasting it with Walz's departure from the National Guard under controversial circumstances.
Despite these allegations, Walz’s campaign has defended his record, highlighting his extensive service and advocacy for veterans. A campaign statement noted, "Governor Walz would never insult or undermine any American’s service to this country." They further clarified that while Walz served as a Command Sergeant Major briefly, he retired at a lower rank due to not completing the required coursework at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy.
This controversy highlights the ongoing scrutiny of political figures’ military records, especially as they seek higher office. The accusations of "stolen valor" against Walz continue to fuel debates about integrity, service, and the authenticity of military credentials in political life.
These revelations are likely to play a significant role in the upcoming elections, with both supporters and critics of Walz making their voices heard as the story unfolds.
