What is JD Vance's military record? Experience could be spotlight in VP debate

Republican JD Vance and Democrat Tim Walz will face off on Tuesday night in the only televised vice presidential debate, and a chance for each man to reinforce his running mate's message to voters just five weeks before the Nov. 5 election.

Walz, 60, the governor of Minnesota and former high school teacher, and Vance, 40, a bestselling author and conservative firebrand senator from Ohio, will portray themselves as military veterans from the Midwest but opposite views on social issues like abortion and foreign policy including the war in Ukraine.

More: Debate live coverage: JD Vance, Tim Walz face off over immigration, climate change

Tune into the CBS News Vice Presidential Debate on Tuesday, Oct. 1, at 9 p.m. ET on CBS or simulcast on www.usatoday.com.

What is JD Vance's military record?

Vance served in the Marine Corps for four years, from 2003-2007, and was a public affairs officer during a six-month stint in Iraq but never saw combat

According to a USA TODAY fact-check article, Vance received six awards while serving, including:

• Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal

• Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal

• Iraq Campaign Medal

• Sea Service Deployment Ribbon

• Global War on Terrorism

• National Defense Service Medal

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Walz served in the Army National Guard for 24 years before retiring to run for Congress in 2006. Vance has accused the Minnesota governor of leaving the military to avoid being deployed to Iraq and of falsely suggesting he served in combat. "When the United States of America asked me to go to Iraq to serve my country, I did it. I did what they asked me to do, and I did it honorably, and I'm very proud of that service," Vance said at a campaign event. "When Tim Walz was asked by his country to go to Iraq, you know what he did? He dropped out of the army and allowed his unit to go without him."

The Minnesota governor has defended his record, but the Kamala Harris campaign has acknowledged he misspoke in a 2018 video in which he referenced "weapons of war that I carried into war." Walz never served in a combat zone.

The retired non-commissioned officer responded to the jabs, saying he's proud of his service and that "you should never denigrate another person's service record." Walz also thanked all who have served, including Vance, saying, "Thank you for your service and sacrifice."

Reuters and USA Today's Melissa Cruz, an elections reporting fellow who focuses on voter access issues, contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How long was JD Vance in the military? Marine service explained.