Questioning Walz's Military Service is Just Plain Stupid

[MineralMan]

In 1965, I enlisted in the USAF for a four-year term. I did that the day I received my draft notice. It was a calculated move on my part, of course. I figured that my chances of being killed in combat would be lower if I committed to four years of service in the USAF. That was the choice I made.

During that four years, I cannot count all of the times I was called a "Draft Dodger" by someone who got drafted into the Army. When that happened, I'd just smile and say, "You'll be out in two. I'm in for four."

Service is service. Air Force guys went to Viet Nam, too. Some died there. I didn't go to Viet Nam, but I had no say in that at all. You enlist and you take your chances. I ended up in Turkey, of all places.

After my enlistment was over, I returned to civilian life and picked up where I left off, more or less. I was four years older, and a little wiser.

So, Tim Walz enlisted in the Army National Guard when he was 17 years old. 24 years later, he retired, having reached the highest possible enlisted rank. Now, he didn't serve around the clock, 24/7/365. He was a National Guard soldier. He made a choice, just as I did. He chose to serve for 24 years in a position that let him also be a teacher and later a member of Congress. You can do that if you're in the National Guard.

I served. Walz served. Everyone who wore the uniform served. Those who were in uniform have always been a small minority of the population. Except for the draft, most served voluntarily. They chose to serve. I did. Walz did. Countless thousands did. All of them served.

Frankly, you either did or did not serve. If you did, you deserve thanks for your service. If you did not, you didn't. That's also OK. But, either way, those who served in the military deserve better than to be questioned. Service is service.