These are the times that try men’s souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman … Thomas Paine, ‘The American Crisis’

Tim Walz personifies the Summer Soldier. For twenty-four years of peace, he collected a fat supplemental National Guard paycheck in addition to his teacher’s salary. He used his service to garner the support of voters for his budding political career. All this came to a screeching halt when it became clear that he might actually have to fight for his country.

When a credible rumor surfaced that his unit might be deployed to Iraq, Walz had a decision to make. He could deploy or run for Congress, and sunshine patriot that he is, Walz chose self-interest over duty and loyalty to troops he had trained. He put in for retirement before stop-loss could halt retirements and discharges. Not surprisingly, many of his former comrades were furious; they felt betrayed. Some died in the subsequent deployment.

To make matters worse, he gave an interview for a bio in which he alluded to the belief that he did not want to see weapons he had carried in war used at home. By implying that he had served in war, he added stolen valor to his resume.

In the brotherhood of war there are several classifications. On top, are the combat soldiers; they are the ones who day-after-day leave the confines of the forward operating base (FOB) to confront the enemy.

Next, come the support troops who man the FOBs, the combat troops often refer to them as “Fobitts.” This is unfair. Most were ordered there and did their jobs. They represent about eighty percent of the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. (READ MORE from Gary Anderson: The Secret Service Needs a Red Team)

The third category are those who were willing to go but were never called. Until his retirement, Walz fell into this category. During Operation Enduring Freedom (the Afghan War), his unit was sent to Italy to backfill a unit deployed to the theater.

The categories that fall outside of the brotherhood include (1) those who actively avoid combat by legally using the system and (2) those who used all other means to avoid being deployed. I have a second cousin who falls into that category. He avoided deployment by feigning mental illness. When called down on that, he admitted to cowardice. He was discharged as unfit. He has been ostracized by the family ever since.

Lowest of the low is the Legion of Stolen Valor; those who did not go, but who claim they did either by wearing awards they do not rate or by alluding to combat experience that they do not have. These are the politicians who get “Swift Boated.” That is already happening to Walz, and justifiably so. (READ MORE: Harris Can Avoid Reporters But Not Economics)

Walz defenders claim that the Democrats have already put that charge to rest. Notable among them is Washington Post columnist Eugene Robinson. They are wrong. The drip, drip, drip has just begun.

For those who don’t think that stolen valor can undermine a campaign, I have two words … John Kerry.

This is particularly true in this election. Many believe that the brotherhood represents a solid, conservative bloc; nothing could further from the truth. Many of my fellow veterans are swing voters. Some are Democrats. They may be a small percentage of the electorate, but there are more of them than the trans voters so cherished by the Democrats.

Gary Anderson is a retired Marine Corps Colonel. He served as a UN Observer in Lebanon and as a the Military Advisor to the US Liaison Office to the UN mission in Somalia. He also served as a State Department field advisor in Iraq and Afghanistan.