When JD Vance recently accused fellow veteran and Democratic vice presidential nominee, Tim Walz, of abandoning his unit before deployment to Iraq, it ignited a heated political debate. Vance claimed, "When the United States Marine Corps … asked me to go to Iraq to serve my country, I did it," contrasting his actions with Walz's alleged decision to "drop out" of the army. This statement quickly drew backlash from Democrats, who pointed out that Walz had officially retired from the Minnesota National Guard months prior to his unit's alert for deployment.
As scrutiny fell on Vance's own military service, it became evident that his role as a "combat correspondent" in the Marine Corps was not merely a clerical position. Critics dubbed him “Sergeant Scribbles,” undermining his contributions. However, Cullen Tiernan, a fellow combat correspondent who served with Vance, emphasized the dangers inherent in their role, recalling moments when they faced mortar and rocket fire. Tiernan noted, "It’s odd to me that people would try to negate or put down what combat correspondents do," highlighting the shared experiences of danger they faced while documenting military operations.
Vance's military journey began when he enlisted in the Marine Corps after high school in 2003, adopting the name James D. Hamel. He spent four years with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, serving in various capacities, including a six-month deployment to Iraq from August 2005. During his time there, he engaged in missions beyond the base, documenting the Marine Corps' activities despite claiming in his memoir that he was “lucky to escape any real fighting.” Yet, his experiences were set against the backdrop of significant violence, as the Iraq War continued to escalate during his deployment.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | JD Vance |
| Born | August 2, 1984 |
| Military Service | US Marine Corps |
| Role | Combat Correspondent |
| Years of Service | 2003 - 2007 |
| Deployment | Iraq (August 2005 - 2006) |
- Vance's Accusation: JD Vance claims Tim Walz abandoned his unit before deployment.
- Democratic Response: Critics quickly countered Vance's narrative with facts about Walz's retirement.
- Role of Combat Correspondents: Vance’s role was integral, despite being labeled as clerical.
- Shared Experiences: Fellow correspondent Cullen Tiernan emphasizes the dangers faced in their assignments.
