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.'
