Same pay grade (E-8), First Sergent is above Master Sergent. ...not the same rank. 

My mistake.  Same pay grades, different ranks.

EDIT:  They are actually the SAME rank:

As of June, 2024, here is the hierarchical order of ranks in the National Guard:

Enlisted Ranks:

1. Private (E-1)
2. Private 2 (E-2)
3. Private First Class (E-3)
4. Specialist (E-4)
5. Corporal (E-4)
6. Sergeant (E-5)
7. Staff Sergeant (E-6)
8. Sergeant First Class (E-7)
9. Master Sergeant (E-8)
10. First Sergeant (E-8)
11. Sergeant Major (E-9)
12. Command Sergeant Major (E-9)

https://poe.com/p/What-is-the-hierarchical-order-of-ranks-in-the-National-Guard#:~:text=First,Sergeant%20%28E-8%29 This post was edited by Spunky at August 11, 2024 3:13 PM MDT

????

From your link....
Walz was a 12 Command Sergent Major in April 2005.
Walz was a 9. Major Sergent  in Sept 2005.

That is change of 3 ranks down.

E-8 IS THE RANK.  Not the title!

No, it is the pay grade of an Enlisted person.  Neither a rank nor a title. 

The article, the link to which I posted, says that's the RANK.  Are you disputing the military's definition so you can be right?  Good luck with that.  And by the way, what rank is this>

JD Vance’s Campaign Won’t Deny That’s Him in Viral Drag Photo
"A spokesperson for the Republican vice presidential pick did not deny the photo’s authenticity when approached by the Daily Beast, and did not offer any further comment."
https://www.yahoo.com/news/jd-vance-campaign-won-t-221322633.html

Not deflecting to that. 

Any E-# is pay grade not a rank. 

Respectfully, I don't think this discussion is doing anything positive for this site and it may be time for you to let it go. There will be those who think he did something egregious and those who who think he is entitled to be proud of what he did during his time in the Guard.

Your opinions are valid and you have made your position clear. You have the opportunity here to help reset the tone on this site by setting a good example. We understand that this does not mean you are conceding your point. Thank you.

I wish I could "like" this more than once ...

Agreed.  I'm done.

Walz was never demoted. Here a 20 year NG vet explains in simple terms how military retirement works. I know you're on the side of truth, and wouldn't use the term demoted, if you had more information. :)

I'm pretty sure you can't be "demoted" from a rank to which you are not fully entitled.  Ergo, I was using her term to make my point.  Perhaps your post will clarify things for those who aren't familiar with how this works.

Thanks, but those that need to watch it, most likely will not.

Vance was in a dangerous combat zone, and actually did carry military weapons. No one should denigrate his service. We should be thankful that people like Tim Walz spent most of their careers teaching soldiers like Vance how to use those weapons. All roles are important in the military and serve a purpose.

I'm not denigrating Vance's service.  What I'm pointing out is that there is a difference between being an active duty Marine and a 23+ year National Guardsman.