In a strategic move by Donald Trump's presidential campaign, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is being scrutinized for his departure from the Army National Guard two decades ago. As Walz is introduced as Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate, Trump's team aims to use his decision to leave the military to his disadvantage.

Walz ended his 24-year military career in 2005, just before the unit he led was deployed to Iraq. This departure has become a point of contention for his critics, including Trump's running mate, Senator JD Vance, who emphasized the fact that Walz dropped out of the Army and allowed his unit to go without him.

Calling it "shameful," Vance accused Walz of making empty promises to his unit and abandoning them when they needed him the most. Trump further amplified the attack by labeling Walz as a "DISGRACE" in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social.

The campaign's strategy echoes the 2004 election when Republicans targeted John Kerry's record as a Navy officer in Vietnam. Chris LaCivita, a senior adviser to Trump's campaign who previously worked with the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, is eager to use a similar playbook against Walz.

Walz's decision to pursue a political career after leaving the National Guard is being framed by the Harris campaign as a way for him to advocate for service members and veterans. They highlight his extensive military record and his subsequent leadership in Congress, particularly as the Chair of the Veterans Affairs Committee.

While these attacks on Walz's military service are not new, as he faced similar criticism in his 2022 re-election campaign, his campaign responded with a letter signed by 50 veterans praising his record and leadership. They emphasized his accomplishments in securing funding for veterans' homes and his efforts to combat veteran deaths by suicide.

The controversy surrounding Walz's military service also led to calls for the return of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, the group that targeted John Kerry during the 2004 election. However, the effectiveness of their attacks remains a topic of debate, with FactCheck.org noting the difficulty in determining the truth after 35 years.

Despite the criticism, Walz's military background still remains a significant part of his identity. He joined the National Guard at the age of 17 and served for nearly a quarter-century, responding to various natural disasters and spending time on active duty in Italy.

Both Walz and Vance, who are the first veterans on a national ticket for either major party since Senator John McCain in 2008, have engaged in a heated exchange regarding their military service. Vance questioned Walz's credibility and accused him of misrepresenting his time in combat, while Walz's camp maintained that he carried, fired, and trained with weapons during his extensive military career.

As the election season progresses, the impact of these attacks on Walz's military departure remains to be seen. However, the focus on his service highlights the significance of military background in the political arena and the potential influence it has on voters' perceptions.