Congressman Mike Waltz represents North Central Florida, is a Colonel in the National Guard, a combat-decorated Green Beret, former White House and Pentagon policy advisor, a small business owner, an author, and a proud father. He is the first Green Beret to be elected to Congress.
Mike was born in Boynton Beach, FL and grew up in Jacksonville, Florida. He was raised by a hard-working single mother and is the son and grandson of Navy Chiefs.
Mike has served his country his entire life. He graduated from the Virginia Military Institute with Honors, has served over 26 years in the U.S. Army, and is presently serving in the National Guard. After being commissioned as an Army lieutenant, Mike graduated Ranger School and was selected for the elite Green Berets, serving worldwide as a Special Forces officer with multiple combat tours in Afghanistan, the Middle East and Africa. For his actions in combat, Mike was awarded four Bronze Stars, including two for Valor.
The world is an unstable place. The Middle East is in chronic chaos with evolving terrorist organizations and unpredictable state regimes. Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin continues to challenge America’s democratic influence. Closer to home, dictators in Cuba and Venezuela seek to maintain suppression of their own people.
When the United States shows weakness, bad actors become emboldened and make the world more dangerous. America must lead with a clear voice that supports our allies and opposes our enemies. As a former policy advisor to the White House, I know that our nation needs leaders who embrace the concept of smart power and understand peace is only achieved through strength.