Army Chaplain Calls Out Tim Walz

In a time when leadership and bravery are paramount, one would expect those in positions of authority, especially those vying for higher office, to embody these qualities. But what happens when they don’t? The case of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who is now the Democratic VP pick, raises alarming questions about the character and integrity of those who aspire to lead our nation.

Retired Capt. Corey Bjertness, a man who knows a thing or two about sacrifice, didn’t mince words when discussing Walz’s decision to abandon his National Guard unit on the brink of a critical deployment. “In our world, to drop out after a WARNORD [warning order] is issued is cowardly, especially for a senior enlisted guy,” Bjertness, who served as the chaplain for the 1st Battalion, 125th Field Artillery, told The Post.

And he’s right. Walz wasn’t just any soldier; he was the command sergeant major of his unit, the top enlisted leader responsible for the well-being and readiness of hundreds of soldiers. Yet, in 2005, just two months before his unit was set to deploy to Iraq, Walz decided that running for Congress was more important than leading his men into battle.

“Running for Congress is not an excuse,” Bjertness declared, reflecting on his own experience of leaving behind a wife and four children to serve his country for 19 long months. The stark contrast between Bjertness’s sense of duty and Walz’s decision to prioritize his political ambitions couldn’t be more glaring.

The man who replaced Walz, Command Sergeant Major Thomas Behrends, didn’t hold back either. “For a guy in that position, to quit is cowardice,” Behrends said, echoing the sentiments of many who believe that Walz’s actions were not just a dereliction of duty, but a betrayal of the soldiers who depended on him.

This isn’t about politics; it’s about character. As veteran Tom Schilling put it, the criticism of Walz’s retirement is “not a political thing. It’s a character thing.” Schilling, who re-enlisted after 9/11 and served with Walz’s unit in Iraq, accused the governor of using “stolen valor for personal gain.”

And let’s be clear: Walz’s actions didn’t just affect his reputation; they had real consequences for the soldiers he left behind. Three members of his unit died during the deployment he missed, including Kyle Miller, a 19-year-old who volunteered for the most dangerous job in the convoy, and David Berry, a 37-year-old who left behind a grieving family. Their lives were cut short, and their families continue to mourn their loss, all while Walz pursued his political career.

Even more troubling is the fact that Walz for years publicly identified himself as a retired command sergeant major, despite having been demoted upon his retirement for not completing the two-year commitment required for that rank. It wasn’t until Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign updated his online biography that this deception was corrected.

So, what does this tell us about the man who is now a heartbeat away from the presidency? It tells us that when the going gets tough, Tim Walz doesn’t stand and fight; he runs. He ran from his duty as a soldier, and now he’s running from the truth.

Veterans like Behrends and Schilling know the true cost of service. They know what it means to sacrifice, to put the needs of others before their own. And they know that when your country calls, you don’t hesitate. You don’t quit. You don’t abandon your comrades in arms. But that’s exactly what Tim Walz did.

In the words of Behrends, “When your country calls, you are supposed to run into battle — not the other way.” Walz chose the other way, and for that, he should be held accountable. The American people deserve leaders who won’t abandon them in their time of need, who won’t put their political ambitions above their duty to serve. Tim Walz has shown that he is not that leader.