What those who served with them say about the VP nominees’ time in the military

CNN —

Retired Staff Sgt. Ryan Marti enlisted in the Army National Guard before he even graduated high school, just like his football coach and teacher, future Minnesota governor Tim Walz. Another of Walz’s former students, Lt. Col. Jonathon Jaqua, also joined the Guard after graduating from Mankato West High School in southern Minnesota.

Both told CNN that the example Walz set in the classroom and on the football field was influential in their decision to join him as a soldier in the National Guard.

“As a teacher, I would say he definitely inspired me,” said Marti, who retired from the Guard in 2021. “He recruited me into the National Guard along with my brother and some other students I know.”

Walz enlisted at 17 and served 24 years in the National Guard before retiring in 2005 to run for Congress, launching a political career that ultimately led to his selection as the Democratic nominee for vice president.

Like Walz, Ohio Sen. JD Vance enlisted in the military after high school, spending four years in the Marines and serving a tour in Iraq in 2005 as a combat correspondent. Even back then, his fellow Marines thought Vance, now the Republican vice presidential nominee, was destined for a career in politics.

“We all knew one day he would run for office,” said retired Maj. Shawn Haney, who was Vance’s officer in charge in Cherry Point, North Carolina. “He always did a great job where he was at, but always looked forward to the next thing.”

While they’re on opposite sides of the political spectrum, Walz and Vance share a key attribute that is increasingly rare in politics today: For the first time in nearly 30 years, two enlisted military veterans will square off as their party’s respective vice presidential