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.
As a father, ensuring every student has access to a high-quality education is a personal priority for me. Every child in America, regardless of their background or zip code, deserves access to a quality school that provides proper attention and resources to all its students. That is why I support school choice and believe the federal government must incentivize educators and employers to ensure our schools are providing young people clear and direct paths to quality jobs.
Regarding higher education, it will never again be one-size fits all. In the 21st Century, there is more than one path to a successful and rewarding career. Every American should be encouraged to pursue the path that is best for his or her individual success. I want to preserve access to a traditional university or college education, while also providing students and families options for vocational and skills-based training. We need to make higher education more transparent and we need to strengthen Career and Technical Education programs.
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