Vets say Tim Walz abandoned National Guard and 'slithered out the door' just before Iraq deployment

WASHINGTON, DC: Veterans have leveled some eyebrow-raising accusations against Minnesota Governor Tim Walz — alleging he embellished his military career and abandoned his National Guard battalion.

As the Democratic vice presidential pick, these claims have cast a shadow over his candidacy. Critics have pointed out that Walz never served in combat and retired just before his unit's deployment to Iraq in 2005.

Tim Walz accused of 'betraying' country

In 2018, during Tim Walz's initial gubernatorial campaign, retired Command Sergeants Major Thomas Behrends and Paul Herr posted a letter on Facebook accusing Walz of abandoning his battalion.

They stated, "On May 16th, 2005, [Walz] quit, betraying his country, leaving the 1-125th Field Artillery Battalion and its Soldiers hanging; without its senior Non-Commissioned Officer, as the battalion prepared for war."

Walz concluded his 24-year military career in time to launch a political career, successfully running for Congress in 2006. Behrends and Herr criticized this transition, noting that Walz could have requested permission from the Pentagon to run for office while remaining on active duty.

Instead, they claimed he avoided necessary paperwork and "slithered out the door,” with his retirement filing indicating "soldier not available for signature."

Further allegations from Behrends and Herr suggest Walz "embellished and selectively omitted facts of his military career for years." These claims first surfaced in a report by the Daily Wire, adding to the controversy surrounding his military service record.

Service members defend 'great soldier' Tim Walz

Despite the accusations, Tim Walz has maintained that he has "an honorable record." Other service members, such as Joseph Eustice, who served 32 years in the National Guard, defended Walz.

Eustice told the Star Tribune in 2022, "He was a great soldier. When he chose to leave, he had every right to leave." Eustice suggested that some criticisms might stem from soldiers passed up for promotions.

Al Bonnifield, another National Guard member who served under Walz, recalled discussions about Walz's political ambitions. Bonnifield told Minnesota Public Radio that Walz was concerned about appearing to skip out on deployment.

“Would the soldier look down on him because he didn’t go with us? Would the common soldier say, ‘Hey, he didn’t go with us, he’s trying to skip out on a deployment?’ And he wasn’t,” Al Bonnifield told Minnesota Public Radio of Walz’s concerns. 

"He talked with us for quite a while on that subject. He weighed that decision to run for Congress very heavily," Bonnifield said, adding, "He loved the military, he loved the guard, he loved the soldiers he worked with."

Reflecting on his service, Walz stated, "We all do what we can. I’m proud I did 24 years." Walz joined the National Guard after high school, serving in the 1st Battalion, 125th Field Artillery, and attained the rank of command sergeant major, per the New York Post.

Kamala Harris was impressed by Tim Walz's 'authenticity' 

Tim Walz's opposition to President George W Bush's plans to increase troop levels in Iraq during his tenure in Congress further defined his political stance. Furthermore, his military and political background played a role in his selection as Vice President Kamala Harris's running mate for the 2024 election.

Walz's selection as Harris's vice presidential pick followed a rapid two-week vetting process. According to a CNN source, Harris personally informed Walz of her decision via a video call. His rise from a relatively unknown figure to a prominent party leader has been swift.

Despite having little previous relationship, Harris and Walz developed a rapport. A person close to the selection process told CNN that Harris was impressed "by his authenticity."

Their first joint appearance at a rally in Philadelphia saw Walz embracing his role as a Midwestern everyman and a vocal supporter of Harris. "Thank you for bringing back the joy," he said to Harris, adding he is “thrilled to be on this journey” with her.

Walz told the crowd, "We’ve got 91 days. We’ll sleep when we’re dead. Over those 91 days, and every day in the White House, I’ll have Vice President Harris’ back every single day – and we’ll have yours."