The Statement
Kohn Kolb sent out the message on Facebook in an attempt to get the truth out about the current VP nominee.
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“I do not regret that Tim Walz retired early from the Minnesota National Guard, did not complete the Sergeants Major Academy, broke his enlistment contract or did not successfully complete any assignment as a Sergeant Major. Unwittingly, he got out of the way for better leadership.”
Who Is John Kolb?
John Kolb served as a lieutenant colonel of the 1st Ballation, 125th Field Artillery from the years 2005 to 2007, as reported by the Daily Mail.
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Walz allegedly served in the same battalion unit until 2005, when he retired after serving his country for 24 years.
What Does the National Guard Do?
The National Guard is an honored arm of the United States military. Their primary function is to “answer the call, at home or abroad.”
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The National Guard’s versatility enables its troops to respond quickly to domestic and international emergencies, combat missions, counterdrug efforts, reconstruction missions, and more. Some of the biggest tasks that they take part in are disaster relief and military support. Soldiers in these units are often seen as indispensable backup.
Walz's Military History
Walz first enlisted in the Nebraska National Guard until on April 8, 1981, two days after he turned 17. In 1996, he was transferred to the Minnesota National Guard, where he spent time in the 1st Battalion, 125th Filed Artillery until until he retired in May of 2005.
Source: US Army/Wikimedia Commons
Minnesota Public Radio reported that part of his service was spent responding to floods and tornadoes when cities needed additional military support. He specialized in heavy artillery and was recognized for his proficiency in sharp shooting and hand grenades.
Overseas Deployment
Although Walz never spent time inside an active war zone, he was deployed overseas.
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On August 3, 2003, Walz and his battalion members were sent to Italy to support United States operations in Afghanistan under Operation Enduring Freedom. He returned to Minnesota in April 2004.
Walz Corrects Statements About Military Service
Although the official Harris and Walz campaign has only been active for a few weeks, there have already been enough events for pages worth of history books.
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Just a few days ago, Walz was forced to correct a statement that he previously made about “weapons of war that I carried in war.” The original video was taken in 2018, and after being accused of lying about his service, Walz clarified that he did specialize in weapons as part of the artillery battalion but never saw an active combat zone.
Criticism for Stolen Valor
Kolb’s statements reiterate the idea that Tim Walz is guilty of using stolen valor to inflate his active military service.
Source: Office of Governor Tim Walz & Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan/Wikimedia Commons
One of the criticisms includes calling himself a “retired Command Sergeant Major.” When he retired from the National Guard, he earned this rank, but it was reduced months later to Master Sergeant as he did not complete the coursework associated with the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy.
Kolb's Further Remarks on Walz's Service
Kolb continued his scathing attack on social media by bringing up the changes in rank title despite what he says was “returning early” before his battalion was deployed to Iraq. At the time, Walz would have been 42 years old.
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“By all accounts and on the record, he was a competent Chief of Firing Battery/Gunnery Sergeant and First Sergeant. I cannot say the same of his service sitting, frocked, in the CSM [command sergeant major] chair. He did not earn the rank or successfully complete any assignment as an E9,” Kolb wrote.
A Change in Career
“He did not earn the rank or successfully complete any assignment as an E9. It is an affront to the Noncommissioned Officer Corps that he continues to glom onto the title. I can sit in the cockpit of an airplane; it does not make me a pilot. Similarly, when the demands of service and leadership at the highest level got real, he chose another path.”
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By the time Walz retired, he had already gone to university, earned a degree, married, and worked as a teacher and a football coach in Minnesota. He was 42 years old when he retired and began his ascent into politics the next year.
What Is Stolen Valor?
Stolen valor has a real legal definition but also has a broader social meaning.
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The idea refers to a person making false claims about military service, mostly related to medals awarded in combat.
What Benefit Could Walz Be Getting?
One might think that in 24 years of service, Walz could have gained the necessary military experience, leadership skills, and a sense of duty to his country.
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Critics claim that lying and misinterpreting his service could potentially sway voters, namely veterans.