A firestorm has reignited around Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz after his selection as the running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2024 presidential bid. Allegations about his honesty with voters regarding his military service have plagued Walz before, and it is a concern that doesn’t appear to be going away — especially if those who served with him have their way.
Multiple former service members have accused the governor of “stolen valor” because he has repeatedly tried to couch his conditional promotion to command sergeant major and subsequent demotion to master sergeant. The facts aren’t really in dispute, but whether he is being forthcoming in his public statements is hotly disputed.
Walz first enlisted in the Nebraska National Guard in 1981 as a young man and eventually transferred to the Minnesota National Guard. He continued to serve there part-time while teaching, eventually accruing 20 years of eligible service. In 2001, he reenlisted after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks with a six-year commitment.
He was conditionally promoted to command sergeant major during this time, which placed him at risk of having the promotion revoked if he failed to complete his minimum length of service obligation and pass the Army’s Sergeant Major Course. He elected to retire abruptly after about four years of total additional service and failed to complete his obligation. In September 2005, the paperwork caught up with him, and his promotion was officially rescinded.
Alleged Stolen Valor
The commonly accepted definition of stolen valor includes misrepresenting the scope of
