In a striking revelation that has stirred the political landscape, the former battalion commander of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s National Guard unit has issued a damning critique of Walz’s military service. John Kolb, who led the 1st Battalion, 125th Field Artillery from 2005 to 2007, expressed his unreserved views on Facebook, as reported by the Daily Mail. His comments come amid escalating accusations of “stolen valor” directed at Walz, particularly after his selection as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate for the 2024 election.
Kolb’s statement was unequivocal: “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.” This scathing assessment highlights a deep-seated disappointment in Walz’s military career, suggesting that his early retirement may have been a boon for the unit.
Further elaborating on Walz’s military tenure, Kolb remarked, “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.” These comments paint a picture of a service record marred by unfulfilled responsibilities and unearned accolades.
Kolb also criticized Walz for continuing to use the title of Command Sergeant Major, a rank he argues Walz did not rightfully earn. “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,” Kolb expressed, indicating a perceived lack of integrity and commitment from Walz.
In stark contrast, Kolb praised Thomas Behrends, who succeeded Walz in the battalion. “Thomas Behrends was the right leader at the right time. He sacrificed to answer the call, leaving his family, business and farming-partner brother to train, lead and care for soldiers. He earned the privilege of being called Command Sergeant Major,” Kolb noted, underscoring Behrends’ dedication and leadership qualities. “Like a great leader he ran toward and not away from the guns,” he added, celebrating Behrends’ valor and commitment.
The controversy surrounding Walz’s military service was further amplified by Thomas Behrends himself, who accused Walz of leveraging an unearned rank for political gain. “He’s used the rank that he never achieved in order to advance his political career. I mean, he still says he’s a retired command sergeant major to this day, and he’s not. He uses the rank of others to make it look like he’s a better person than he is,” Behrends told Fox News host Laura Ingraham.
The issue has caught the attention of notable figures, including Donald Trump Jr., who criticized the media’s lack of coverage on the matter. “Tim Walz’s Battalion Commander absolutely destroys him over his Stolen Valor. How long is the leftwing media going to keep ignoring all of this?” he questioned on social media.
As the debate intensifies, the Harris campaign has yet to respond to these serious allegations, leaving the public and veterans alike awaiting answers. The controversy not only casts a shadow over Walz’s past but also poses significant questions about the integrity of political figures who have served in the military.
