Scott Brown In Afghanistan For National Guard Training

WASHINGTON — Sen. Scott Brown is winding up a weeklong training session in Afghanistan as a member of the Massachusetts Army National Guard.

Brown spokesman Marcie Kinzel says Brown will return Thursday after spending most of his time in Kabul, where he lived, ate and trained with other troops.

The Massachusetts Republican is a lieutenant colonel in the Judge Advocate General's Corps. He asked to conduct his annual training overseas, and it was his first time serving in a combat zone.

Brown serves on the Senate Armed Services, Homeland Security, and Veterans Affairs committees. Brown is up for re-election this year. Democrats hope to regain the seat once held by the late Sen. Edward Kennedy, but have yet to field a major candidate. Speculation has centered on consumer advocate Elizabeth Warren.

Comments

[dsmock73]

12:05 AM on 09/04/2011

Senator Brown is facing his first national re-election campaign, and, having been in the National Guard since 1979, goes overseas for the first time in uniform, for a week.

By his own admission, during that seven days, he met with the ambassador, generals, and other leaders. Having worked in Kabul at HQ ISAF, I can tell you that your average lieutenant colonel struggles to get their own desk, much less an audience with Ambassador Crocker. So it's more likely that LTC Brown did not meet with those individuals, but rather Senator Brown.

Senator Brown made the request to conduct his annual training in Afghanistan back in May, about a week before one of his opponents, Setti Warren, officially announced his candidacy for the same seat. Setti Warren is a Navy reservist who spent a year's combat tour in Iraq.

This is key to understanding the current situation, since during the campaign for the special election that was held to replace Senator Ted Kennedy, one of Senator Brown's main talking points was his service in the National Guard, something his opponent could not claim.

Now, in 2012, Senator Brown, facing a Democratic candidate who's a veteran, goes overseas in uniform for the first time in his 30+ year military career.

I guess the question we should be asking Senator Brown is, what took so long?

[Michael Ludin]

12:06 PM on 09/01/2011

All you haters on here. I don't vote for him, never would but how many of you volunteered to go to Afghanistan for anything. You are reacting to what was reported, not his own sentiments.

[Rich914]

12:01 PM on 09/01/2011

Taxpayer funded political campaign photo op junket. No more, no less. What a poser! Literally.

[erl92]

09:14 AM on 09/01/2011

Like he was anywhere near combat.

[mervr1]

07:55 AM on 09/01/2011

Can we say photo-op and BS.....get in the trenches and come under fire for a year then maybe we can talk.

[mcmutter]

07:35 AM on 09/01/2011

enjoy it now ... you're toast in the next election ....

[AdelaideDweller]

06:01 AM on 09/01/2011

drop the soap...drop the soap...

[Amock]

03:43 AM on 09/01/2011

Wow! One WHOLE week. Did he bring his overnight bag?

[Brian Stoltz]

03:30 AM on 09/01/2011

So what? Who is Scott Brown?

[vdc530]

01:59 AM on 09/01/2011

Oh is he learning to guard the nation of Afghanistan? Can we deport him? Would be nice.

[dayzee10]

01:50 AM on 09/01/2011

The only Massachusetts politician more phony and plastic than Bubblehead Scottie Brown is NitMittens 'I own a gold trampoline" Rombot

[onehenry]

11:34 PM on 08/31/2011

A lot shorter stint than most of our fighters.

[JessWonderin]

10:23 PM on 08/31/2011

Getting his "combat veteran" status to run again . . . . GO WARREN!!!!

[jsanti7]

09:38 PM on 08/31/2011

I just hope his return trip goes well and brings back more troops than what was outbound getting there. Bring them home already.

[dmm1047]

08:50 PM on 08/31/2011

The guy is a lawyer in the JAG corps. What training in Afghanistan----riding a desk? Just another political stunt. Grab a gun and walk the streets, searching for IED's---hero.

[Gottlieb]

09:12 PM on 08/31/2011

I think it is called REMF training. I am sure this to pretty up his resume for 2012 when he will lose to Elizabeth Warren for US Senator from Massachusetts.

[JimR]

07:36 AM on 09/01/2011

She has very little chance of winning, sorry.