OPINION:
Two weeks ago, Vice President Kamala Harris picked Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate, thrusting him into the national spotlight. He is best known for letting rioters burn Minneapolis to the ground in 2020.
Voters across the country are beginning to learn more about Mr. Walz and his radical, extreme agenda. As a lifelong Minnesotan, I can tell you what you won’t hear from Mr. Walz, his campaign or the mainstream media: how he abandoned his military unit before it deployed to Iraq.
In 2005, Mr. Walz was serving in the Minnesota Army National Guard as the acting command sergeant major leading a group of soldiers. Advanced instructions were being delivered to Guard units across the nation about the likelihood of being activated and deployed to Iraq. Instead of standing with his unit and preparing them as its senior enlisted leader, Mr. Walz retired from the National Guard. Two months later, his unit deployed to Iraq to defend our freedom.
Mr. Walz prioritized his political career instead of a call for service, but that didn’t stop him from trying to grift off his former unit’s military service. Mr. Walz promoted articles and interviews that said he deployed overseas to battle and bravely served our country, without correcting the record that he never deployed to combat theaters. Mr. Walz even misled the public about his retired military rank and told people he “carried guns in war.”
The Harris-Walz campaign’s response is that for the last 19 years, Mr. Walz has “misspoken.” No. Mr. Walz lied about his military service, his rank and going into combat for decades.
As a 21-year retired Navy SEAL and Marine infantry veteran who has deployed to over 80 countries, I find Mr. Walz’s selfishness a slap in the face to me and my brothers and sisters who have put their lives on the line. I have seen firsthand the critical role that senior enlisted leaders play in maintaining a military unit’s morale, cohesion and combat effectiveness. Mr. Walz’s decision to leave the unit he was supposed to lead into battle is proof that he is not capable of serving our country at the highest levels.
During my first deployment to Iraq in 2002, I witnessed a powerful example of true leadership and commitment firsthand. My command sergeant major, a man who had already honorably served his country and had just recently retired after serving as an active-duty Marine for over 20 years, came out of retirement to lead my unit, the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines Regiment, into combat. He understood the gravity of his role and the importance of being there for his Marines, even at great personal sacrifice. His presence was a source of strength and stability for the entire unit, and it underscored the deep bonds of trust and loyalty that are essential in any military unit.
Members of Mr. Walz’s Guard unit, however, went into battle in Iraq without him. I know from experience that when a senior leader leaves a unit just before deployment, it can have a devastating impact on morale. The senior enlisted leader is often the linchpin of the unit’s interpersonal relationships, the one who has earned the trust of both the officers and the enlisted ranks. They are not just a leader but a mentor, a confidant and a stabilizing force in the chaotic environment of predeployment preparation.
When part of the command leadership detaches at the last minute, it sends uncertainty through the ranks. Unit cohesion can begin to fray, and the carefully built trust and rapport can be undermined. Soldiers and Marines look to their senior enlisted leaders for guidance and reassurance, especially in the stressful lead-up to deployment. When that leader is suddenly removed, it can cause doubt, hesitation and a loss of confidence that can affect everything from operational planning to combat effectiveness. In the worst cases, it can compromise the safety of the unit.
While Mr. Walz’s departure may not have violated any regulations or the Uniform Code of Military Justice, it does raise questions about his character and where his true allegiances lie. Leadership in the military is about more than fulfilling a role — it’s about commitment to your unit and the men and women you lead. The decision to leave his unit to run for Congress reflects a choice that prioritizes politics over service and leadership. While his squad went to Iraq, Mr. Walz stayed home and used his unit as pawns in his political career where he lied about his service.
In the military, we are taught that our word is our bond and that our commitment to our unit and our mission must be unwavering. A senior leader who detaches at the last minute not only undermines the trust within the unit but also sets a troubling example for others. Leadership is not just about holding a position — it’s about being there when it matters most. Mr. Walz proved to the members of his unit in 2005 that he was not the leader that they deserved. As a retired Navy SEAL and Marine Corps veteran, I believe that should disqualify him from ever leading our country as vice president.
• Adam Schwarze is a lifelong Minnesotan and a 21-year veteran who served as a Navy SEAL and a Marine.
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