Sen. Scott Brown to serve in Afghanistan
Washington (CNN) – Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown announced Monday that he will go to Afghanistan as part of his annual National Guard duties.
The Republican senator, who is a lieutenant colonel in the Massachusetts Army National Guard, will leave for Afghanistan before the end of the calendar year, according to his office.
"I have service obligations that I fulfill each year. Following in the tradition of other lawmakers who have completed their military service requirements overseas, this year I have requested to conduct my annual training in Afghanistan," Brown said in a statement.
Brown, who serves on the Senate Armed Services, Homeland Security, and Veterans Affairs committees, said his training in Afghanistan "will help me to better understand our ongoing mission in that country, and provide me first-hand experience for my duties."
Brown, who was elected to the Senate in January 2010 to replace the late Edward M. Kennedy, has been a member of the Massachusetts Army National Guard for thirty years.
The senator will be obligated to fulfill his annual National Guard duty next year, which is also a reelection year for Brown, who will be seeking his first full six-year term.
The senator has never been deployed in a combat zone, but has served in Kazakhstan and Paraguay.
-CNN's Dana Bash and Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.
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i wish we had 99 more him.... i can just see boxer there to serve....not....
I've heard him speak. This guy is the real deal. Be careful out there Scott. We need your great leadership back here quickly.
He'll have his own security, I'm sure. Republicans are like bananas - you fellow marines know what that means.
Well good for Scott Brown, I like him and hope that he keeps up the good work... Stay safe over there
Good luck, Senator. You're gonna need it.
This high profile clown just puts our brave soldiers in harms way. He needs to keep his useless self stateside instead of seeking publicity.
And if you think this guy will get anywhere near a battle zone, you are crazy. This smacks of grandstanding to me.
I don't know maybe it's just me but there is something VERY weird about this guy.
",this year I have requested to conduct my annual training in Afghanistan," ....any bets he comes home with a medal or combat action ribbon....stay home and DON'T inconvenience the real troops that have to stay there for the 'full' tour. They have enough to put up with without having a 'celebrity" to look after.
Stay safe soldier!
The Republican senator will leave for Afghanistan before the end of the calendar year, according to his office. That will give him time to have copies of his book printed in Dari and Pashto.
Hope he will get some dirt on his combat boots.
Three things:
1.) The article fails to provide the most basic information – like how long is he required to be active – 30 days ???
2.) It is not appropriate for any soldier to "request" where he goes. Senator Brown is looking to score "re-election points" with this deployment by burnishing his "street cred" within the military-exhaulting-no-matter-what Republican party.
3.) Brown likely won't be in real danger as a Senator given a relatively cushy assignment but shouldn't we have a law that requires the Governor of Massachusetts to name a surrogate while he is delployed?
brave, respectable service; ...interesting timing
Wow. Here you have a man who can just be like most other politicians and biker over issues that confront Americans without any proactivity but instead, he is choosing to go to Afghanistan to be with the people he is representing and understand their needs first-hand. This is going to make a great 'Undercover Boss' episode. hahaha All kidding aside, good luck Sen. Brown and thank-you for your service!
Good for you Senator Brown, you make all us combat vets proud of your service to this great country.
He is definitely setting himself up for a White House bid.....
Good! Maybe he can see first hand that the fighting and war waged against the Taliban, that has been going on for over 180 years cannot be won. These are "freedom fighters" trying to rid their country of foreign occupation!
OK, now how many of the chicken hawks running for the Republican Nomination are gonna join him?
Isn't that a little caviler of him to demand to action in a combat area when serving as a US Senator? Given that the post here notes that he has never served in a combat area, I think that might be a little risky for him and the troops under his command.
Trying his best to get reelected!!! First his LIFE STORY – now his LIFE OBLIGATIONS!!! Figure that!!
I am a Democrat, but I have great respect for Sen. Brown.
Let's hope he's on the front line...