JD Vance’s military service in Iraq has been under scrutiny, especially after he criticised his opponent, Tim Walz, for not deploying to Iraq. Vance, a fellow veteran and Democratic vice presidential nominee, accused Walz of abandoning his unit before deployment. However, Democrats were quick to defend Walz, noting that he had retired from the Minnesota National Guard months before deployment was announced. This has led to closer examination of Vance’s own military record, particularly his role as a “combat correspondent” in the Marine Corps.
Cullen Tiernan, a veteran who served alongside Vance in Iraq, shed light on their experiences during their time in the country. Tiernan revealed that their deployment was not without danger, as they faced mortar and rocket attacks in Baghdadi upon their arrival. Despite Vance’s role as a combat correspondent, Tiernan emphasised that they still faced risks typical of active duty soldiers, including encountering IEDs and witnessing the aftermath of attacks.
Vance, then known as James D. Hamel, served with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. He was deployed to Iraq from August 2005 to 2006, stationed at Al Asad air base in western Iraq. During his time there, Vance went on missions beyond the base to document the Marines’ work in towns along the Euphrates River. Despite stating in his memoir that he was fortunate to avoid direct combat, the period of Vance’s deployment was marked by significant violence in Iraq.
Tiernan highlighted Vance’s storytelling skills honed during his time as a combat correspondent, which later contributed to his bestselling memoir, *Hillbilly Elegy*. While Tiernan and Vance may have differing political views, they maintain a strong friendship forged during their deployment. Tiernan commended Vance for using his platform to advocate for ending wars, drawing from their shared disillusionment with the Iraq War upon their return.
The controversy surrounding Vance and Walz’s military service has captured attention, with a spokesperson for the Harris-Walz campaign clarifying that Walz retired from military service after a long and dedicated career before pursuing a political path. Vance’s experiences in Iraq, as narrated by Tiernan, provide a deeper insight into his military service and the impact it had on his subsequent career and political views.