Maryland’s Democratic Governor, Wes Moore, is under renewed scrutiny regarding his military service after his former commander raised doubts about claims he made during his campaign. Retired Army Lt. Col. James A. “Jamie” Gottschling, who oversaw Moore in Afghanistan, has challenged the authenticity of the governor’s assertions about leading troops in combat.
While acknowledging Moore’s honorable service, Gottschling argued that the governor exaggerated his wartime experiences. He stated, “I wouldn’t call him a soldier,” emphasizing that Moore’s role mainly involved staff tasks rather than direct combat leadership.
Gottschling clarified the distinction between being in a combat zone and engaging in actual fighting. He noted that typical combat involves situations that Moore did not experience, saying, “When you think of a veteran of combat, you think of somebody that’s in a foxhole, getting shot at… that’s just wasn’t the environment that he was in.”
Campaign Statements Called Into Question
This criticism challenges statements made by Moore during his gubernatorial campaign. In a November 2022 social media post, he claimed, “I’ve seen real patriotism when I led paratroopers in combat in Afghanistan.” Another of his campaign messages similarly depicted his military experiences.
Wes Moore opened his 2015 book with a dramatic telling of the first time he led soldiers in combat in Afghanistan.
That story, and Moore’s other grandiose tales of leading soldiers in combat, are not true, according to his commanding officer, retired Lt. Col. James A. Gottschling, who oversaw Moore’s daily activities during his brief deployment to Afghanistan in 2005 and 2006.
Gottschling told Spotlight on Maryland that Moore was never a paratrooper and was instead assigned to a desk job working in noncombat information operations.
— Washington Free Beacon (@FreeBeacon) November 10, 2026
Moore has consistently described his service as defining his life, asserting that he led soldiers while serving with the 82nd Airborne in Afghanistan. However, Gottschling disputes that characterization and points out that Moore’s responsibilities did not include commanding combat troops.
He further questioned the validity of Moore’s descriptions regarding the emotional challenges of returning from combat. According to Gottschling, it’s disingenuous to portray significant trauma after serving six months in a staff position, stating, “Oh, give me a break.”
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The governor’s office has rebutted these allegations, claiming that Moore’s military record is being undermined by political opponents. Senior press secretary Ammar Moussa highlighted a positive evaluation that Gottschling issued during Moore’s deployment.
Moussa contended that the timing of the criticism mirrors an attempt to negatively bias the perceptions of Marylanders following Moore’s recent election victory. The spokesperson noted that Gottschling had previously described Moore as a top-performing officer in official assessments.
Despite acknowledging the positive review, Gottschling mentioned that such evaluations often contain optimistic language aimed at helping service members advance. Additionally, records indicate that Moore earned a Combat Action Badge due to a rocket attack on his base.
Although various accounts confirm that Moore faced hostile fire during his deployment, there remains debate about his claims of commanding troops in combat. This incident follows earlier controversies regarding Moore’s Bronze Star, which he improperly listed on a fellowship application before officially receiving it.
Gottschling clarified that his issues lie with how Moore presents his military service publicly, rather than questioning the legitimacy of his deployment. He emphasized that embellishing one’s experiences for political gain compromises the integrity of all veterans.
Moore has defended his military service and acknowledged inaccuracies in previous descriptions while insisting that he served under perilous conditions. The renewed examination of his record arises shortly after his reelection, drawing attention to the ongoing discussions about his political aspirations.
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