The former battalion commander of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's former Minnesota Army National Guard unit has issued a critical message regarding mounting 'stolen valor' accusations. John Kolb, who served as a lieutenant colonel of the 1st Battalion, 125th Field Artillery, expressed his views on Facebook, stating that Walz retired early, did not complete the Sergeants Major Academy, and did not successfully fulfill his duties as a Sergeant Major. Kolb mentioned that Walz's retirement paved the way for better leadership within the unit.
Walz, who retired from the Minnesota Army National Guard in 2005 after 24 years of service, has faced criticism for claiming to be a 'retired Command Sergeant Major.' Despite achieving this rank before retirement, his status was later reduced to master sergeant due to not completing required coursework at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy. The Harris campaign initially promoted Walz as a 'retired Command Sergeant Major' but later revised his biography to state that he 'served as a command sergeant major.'
Kolb emphasized that Walz did not earn the rank of E9 or successfully complete any assignments at that level. He criticized Walz for continuing to use the title fraudulently, stating that it undermines the Noncommissioned Officer Corps. Kolb also praised retired Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Behrends, who succeeded Walz in the battalion, as a 'great leader' who deserved the title he held.
Behrends has been vocal about Walz's military career, accusing him of leveraging a rank he never attained to advance his political aspirations. The controversy surrounding Walz's military background has gained attention on social media, with figures like Donald Trump Jr. highlighting the situation and questioning the media's response to the allegations.
