The Minnesota National Guard dropped a bombshell Wednesday, revealing that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who has long claimed to have retired as a command sergeant major, was actually demoted from that rank. The disclosure contradicts years of assertions made by Kamala Harris’ vice presidential running mate, including claims in his official gubernatorial biography.

Although Walz temporarily held the title of command sergeant major, he “retired as a master sergeant in 2005 for benefit purposes because he did not complete additional coursework at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy,” said Army Lt. Col. Kristen Augé, the Minnesota National Guard’s State Public Affairs Officer, who spoke with Just The News.

Walz has claimed an extensive military background with the Army National Guard, serving from 1981 until his retirement in 2005. He enlisted in Nebraska and throughout his career held various posts across the United States and beyond, including training stints in extreme environments like the Arctic Circle. Walz rose to the rank of command sergeant major, the highest enlisted rank, although he “retired” as a master sergeant for benefits purposes due to not completing specific advanced coursework​.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (center) listens to local authorities on April 13, 2019, in Austin, Minnesota

“He retired as a master sergeant in 2005 for benefit purposes because he did not complete additional coursework at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy,” Lt. Col. Kristen Augé, Minnesota National Guard’s State Public Affairs Officer told Just the News.

The scrutiny of Walz’s military records and decisions during his military career became a focal point during his 2018 gubernatorial campaign in Minnesota. Walz, who retired from the Minnesota National Guard as a Command Sergeant Major, faced criticism particularly surrounding the timing of his retirement. Two retired senior officials from the Minnesota National Guard pointed out that Walz retired shortly before his battalion was due to deploy to Iraq, raising questions about his commitment.

Many suggested that his decision to retire just before deployment could be seen unfavorably, especially in the context of seeking a leadership role as governor. This controversy was part of discussions about his military service record, which he often referenced during his campaign to highlight his leadership and experience.

Just before his battalion’s deployment to Iraq, Walz retired from the military, leaving Thomas Behrends to step into his role. “I needed to hit the ground running and take care of the troops — and tell them we were going to war,” Behrends told the New York Post, overseeing 500 soldiers. “For a guy in that position, to quit is cowardice.”

Behrends, a 63-year-old farmer from Brewster, Minnesota, criticized the Democratic vice presidential candidate, labeling him “a traitor” for stepping down from their Minnesota National Guard unit on the brink of their 2005 deployment. “When your country calls, you are supposed to run into battle — not the other way,” the retired command sergeant major said to The Post on Tuesday. “He ran away. It’s sad.”

“He had the opportunity to serve his country, and said ‘Screw you’ to the United States. That’s not who I would pick to run for vice president.” Presidential hopeful Kamala Harris hit the campaign trail with her fresh pick for vice president for the first time on Tuesday in Philadelphia. The duo launched a whirlwind tour across key battleground states, setting the stage for Walz’s national debut.