Minnesota Governor Tim Walz faces accusations from retired National Guard members regarding his military service, specifically that he left his battalion, the 1-125th Field Artillery, before their deployment to Iraq in 2005. Retired Command Sergeants Major Thomas Behrends and Paul Herr claim he 'betrayed his country' by resigning just as his unit was preparing for war, despite having previously assured them he would serve. They criticize Walz for not seeking permission to run for Congress while still active and accuse him of 'embellishing' his military record. While some former service members defend Walz, asserting he has an honorable record, others label his actions as abandoning his soldiers. His military service is a focal point in his new role as Kamala Harris' vice presidential pick, where he is touted as the longest-serving military veteran in this context. Despite the criticisms, Walz maintains that his military career is honorable and has garnered mixed reactions from those familiar with his service.