JD Vance Military Service: Where Did He Serve and How Long?

Ohio Senator JD Vance, whom Donald Trump has named as his vice presidential running mate, will debate Democratic candidate for Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on Tuesday evening.

Both men served in the U.S. military, and Senator Vance attacked Governor Walz’s characterization of his service, which spanned twenty-four years in the U.S. National Guard. Senator Vance attacked Governor Walz for, in his view, embellishing his credentials as a soldier and claiming to have fought in a war zone. But shortly after he began these attacks, he was rebuked by members of both parties. The Ohio leader claimed that the Minnesota governor conveniently withdrew just before his unit was scheduled to ship to the Middle East. Governor Walz and his defenders claim that Walz had already announced his intention to run for Congress and that he was a staunch supporter of military personnel and veterans while in Washington.

While some voters might find Senator Vance’s claims of “stolen valor” legitimate, many voters don’t want to hear an argument about military records in tonight’s debate.

JD Vance’s time with the US Marine Corp

Before entering politics or attending college, JD Vance enlisted in the US Marine Corps after graduating from high school in 2003. Like many soldiers who enlisted at the time, the senator said that 9/11 was a key factor that motivated him to join the military. However, after four years of service, he became more critical of the war and U.S. objectives in the region. During his four years of service, he completed a six-month tour in Iraq, during which he worked as a military journalist. He was tasked with taking photos and writing articles about the war. He received the rank of corporal for his time in the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing unit.

After his time in the Middle East, Vance took advantage of the GI Bill to go to college, attending Ohio State University and later Yale University, where he received his law degree.

Looking back on his time in the military

Earlier this year, Senator Vance I reflected on his time in the Marines and described his support for the Iraq War as a “mistake.” Although he is still proud of his service and the lessons he learned from it, he feels that he and others who came forward were “lied to” and that the “promises of this country’s foreign policy establishment are a complete… were jokes”.