Pete Buttigieg's Navy Service: Path to Cabinet Role

Pete Buttigieg has a lot on his plate as our nation’s Secretary of Transportation; however, he’s also a Veteran. Serving in the Navy Reserve after college, Pete Buttigieg’s military service continues to influence his various roles as a politician working to help our nation and by extension, the military community as a whole. Here’s a closer look at his journey as a service member.

Pete Buttigieg's Navy Service Duration

After graduating from Harvard College and the University of Oxford, as a Rhodes Scholar, Pete Buttigieg’s military service began in 2009, through the Direct Commission Officer program. As a Reservist, Buttigieg, worked as an intelligence officer for six years, even when he was busy being a politician in various roles. While mayor, Buttigieg had to take seven months off for his deployment to Afghanistan, as a part of the Afghan Threat Finance Cell. Jokingly calling himself a “military Uber,” Buttigieg was also a driver for his Commander, which required careful navigation in dangerous territories, equaling more than 100 total trips. Before separating from service in 2017, Buttigieg earned the Joint Service Commendation Medal and reached the rank of Lieutenant.

Military Positions

Given his first-hand experience, it should come as no surprise that Pete Buttigieg’s military career has had a major impact on his policies. Furthermore, Veterans continue to bring a unique, informed approach to complex military subjects that civilians may not always understand as deeply. Here are some of the notable stances that Buttigieg has taken over the year on topics involving the military community:

• Changing how the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) spends its funding; however, he also potentially supports an increase at the same time.

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• Buttigieg was in favor of withdrawing from Afghanistan, although he supported the initial invasion.
• Pete Buttigieg is pro-Israel.

Pete Buttigieg's Navy Career and VP Role Consideration